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Each major key has a special relationship with a particular minor key
and vice versa. When the
two keys share the same key signature but a different tonic we say that
one key is the relative minor (or relative major) of the other.
For example, G major and E minor both have a single sharp in their key
signature; so we say that E minor is the relative minor of G major. The
relative minor of a major key always has a tonic a minor third lower.
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The only difference between
the two relative keys is which note you
start with. The minor scale starts from the
sixth note of the major scale. Don't think
that this is small difference. It changes
the tonic so all the chords etc.. For
example;
Major Scale:
G - A - B - C - D - E - F# (1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7)
Relative Minor Scale: E - F# - G - A - B - C
- D (1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7)
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Easily calculating
the key signature of the parallel major or
minor of a key
If you add 3 flats to the key signature, you
will find the parallel minor of a key
For example, F major has 1 flat (B). Adding
3 flats would yield 4 flats, meaning F minor
has 4 flats in its key signature. (B E A D)
B major has 5 sharps (F C G D A). To find B
minor, add 3 flats. Since flats cancel out
sharps, you are left with 2 sharps. (F C)
To find the parallel major, add 3 sharps.
Em to EM: Em has 1 sharp (F). Add 3 to get 4
sharps. (F C G D)
Fm to FM: Fm has 4 flats (B E A D). Add 3
sharps to get 1 flat. (B)
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