How many notes are in a scale?

A scale typically consists of 8 notes, which includes the first note (the tonic) and runs up to the octave of that note. In a major or minor scale, for example, the eight notes consist of seven scale degrees plus the tonic note again at the octave.

When counting the notes in a scale, one must include both the starting note (tonic) and the final note (octave), which is the same as the first but at a higher pitch. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the standard construction of scales in Western music.

The other options suggest fewer or more notes than what is traditionally found in a scale, which may lead to confusion about how scales are structured in music theory.