Relative minor and major keys
Every major key has a minor twin that uses exactly the same notes. Pick a key to see the pair — then listen to how the same seven notes feel different depending on where they come home.
C majorA minor
Shared key signature: no sharps or flats
C major scale
C D E F G A B
A minor scale
A B C D E F G
The three-half-step rule
To find a relative minor, count three half steps down from the major tonic. To go the other way, count three half steps up. On the keyboard above the root highlight moves between the two tonics while the lit keys stay exactly the same — that is the whole idea.
It works because the natural minor scale is just the major scale started on its 6th note. C D E F G A B becomes A B C D E F G. Same notes, same key signature, but the half steps now fall in different places relative to home, which is what gives minor its darker colour.
All relative keys
| Major key | Relative minor | Key signature |
|---|---|---|
| C major | A minor | none |
| G major | E minor | 1 sharp |
| D major | B minor | 2 sharps |
| A major | F♯ minor | 3 sharps |
| E major | C♯ minor | 4 sharps |
| B major | G♯ minor | 5 sharps |
| F♯ major | D♯ minor | 6 sharps |
| D♭ major | B♭ minor | 5 flats |
| A♭ major | F minor | 4 flats |
| E♭ major | C minor | 3 flats |
| B♭ major | G minor | 2 flats |
| F major | D minor | 1 flat |
The same pairs sit on the inner and outer rings of the circle of fifths.
Questions
What is a relative minor?
The minor key that shares all its notes and its key signature with a major key. C major and A minor both use only the white keys; the difference is which note feels like home.
How do you find the relative minor of a major key?
Go down three half steps (a minor third) from the major key’s tonic — or up to its 6th scale degree. From C, three half steps down is A, so A minor is the relative minor of C major. From G, it’s E minor.
How do you find the relative major of a minor key?
Go up three half steps from the minor tonic — its 3rd scale degree. The relative major of A minor is C major; of D minor, F major.
What is the difference between relative and parallel minor?
A relative minor shares the key signature but has a different tonic (C major → A minor). A parallel minor shares the tonic but has a different key signature (C major → C minor, which has three flats).
How can I tell if a song is in the major key or its relative minor?
Listen for where the melody and chords come to rest. If phrases settle on the vi chord (Am in C) and you hear G♯ appearing (the raised 7th of A harmonic minor), it’s probably in the minor key.