Relative and parallel keys

Tell relative keys from parallel ones and find both for any key.

Relative keys

Relative keys are a major and a minor key with the same key signature. C major and A minor have no sharps or flats; G major and E minor have one sharp.

The tonic of the relative minor is degree VI of the major key, a minor third below its tonic. The other way round, the tonic of the relative major is degree III of the minor, a minor third above.

C major and its relative A minor: the same notes, a different tonic

Practice: The relative of G major

Practice: The relative of D minor

Practice: Two keys, one signature

Parallel keys

Parallel keys are a major and a minor key with the same tonic: C major and C minor, A major and A minor. Their key signatures differ: C minor has three flats.

Parallel minor lowers degrees III, VI and VII of the major, so its signature is three steps "towards the flats".

The tonic triads of C major and C minor

Don't mix them up: relative keys share a signature and differ in tonic; parallel keys share a tonic and differ in signature.

Practice: The parallel of D major