How does a hexatonic scale differ from a pentatonic scale?

The primary difference between a hexatonic scale and a pentatonic scale lies in the number of tones contained within an octave:

• Pentatonic scale: Contains five different tones. It is one of the most widely used scale formations globally, appearing frequently in folk music, East and Southeast Asian traditions, and the music of many Indigenous cultures. Most common varieties are anhemitonic, meaning they contain no half steps.12
• Hexatonic scale: Contains six different tones. These scales appear less frequently in folk music and nonliterate cultures, often functioning as fragments of the seven-note Western diatonic scale. Historically, they were significant in European music theory, such as the hexachords identified by Guido d’Arezzo, and they are also common in various Native American musical traditions, where they may feature unusually wide intervals.32

While pentatonic scales are considered pervasive and foundational in many global musical systems, hexatonic scales are generally less common and often serve different theoretical or regional roles.321