Relative minor
The minor key that shares the same notes and key signature as a given major key, built on its sixth degree.
Every major key has a relative minor a minor third below its tonic, and the two share all seven notes, so the same scale shapes work for both with a different starting point and a different sense of home. This is why so many songs move between a major chord and its relative minor: the change of mood costs nothing harmonically. On guitar the relationship is visible as the minor pentatonic shape three frets below the major one.
Example: A minor is the relative minor of C major, and both use the same notes with no sharps or flats.
See also
Related
- PageKey
- PageNatural minor scale
- PageCircle of fifths
- PageAugmented chord
- PageBlue note
- PageBlues scale
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley