Minor Keys and Relative Minors
Practice identifying relative minors, minor scale patterns, and clues for spotting minor keys.
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Questions Covered in This Set
10 cards to master
What does 'relative minor' mean?
The minor key that shares the exact same key signature (same set of notes) as a major key, but treats a different note as its tonic/home.
Natural minor scale step pattern
W–H–W–W–H–W–W
Two shortcuts to find the relative minor of a major key
Count DOWN 3 half steps from the tonic, or go to the 6th note of the major scale.
Relative minor of G major (1 sharp)
E minor
Relative major of C minor (3 flats)
Eb major
Best clue for telling major from minor in a score
Look at the last note or final chord — pieces almost always end on their tonic.
Why do stray accidentals like G# appear in A minor?
Composers raise the 7th degree to create a stronger pull to the tonic (harmonic minor); it's expected, not a key change.
Spell A harmonic minor
A B C D E F G# A (raised 7th)
Spell A melodic minor ascending
A B C D E F# G# A (raised 6th and 7th; descends as natural minor)
How do you go from a minor key back to its relative major?
Count UP 3 half steps from the minor tonic (or use the 3rd note of the minor scale).
