Relative minor
A major key’s relative minor uses the same seven notes and the same key signature, starting on the major scale’s 6th note, three half steps below its first. G major’s relative minor is E minor, and C major’s is A minor. Pick a major key to see its relative minor, then hear both scales and chords.
G major → E minor
Same seven notes, same key signature: 1 sharp: F♯. E is the 6th note of the G major scale, three half steps below G.
Both scales use the same keys; only the first note moves. Play each one and its chord to hear the same notes sound bright, then sad.
How to find the relative minor
Count to the 6th note
Play the major scale and stop on its 6th note: in G major, G A B C D E, so the relative minor starts on E.
Or go three half steps down
From the major key’s first note, go down three keys on the piano, black ones included: G, F♯, F, E.
Keep the letters three apart
G to E skips F, so the minor is spelled with the same key signature. From E♭ major, three half steps down is C, not B♯: C minor.
Check the key signature
The relative minor has the same sharps or flats as the major: G major and E minor both have one sharp, F♯.
Relative minor chart
Every major key with its relative minor and the key signature they share. Tap a key for its scale, chords and a beat to hear it.
| Major key | Relative minor | Key signature |
|---|---|---|
| C major | A minor | no sharps or flats |
| 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 |
Each signature on the staff, and how to read it, is on key signatures.
How to find the relative major
Go the other way: three half steps up from the minor key’s first note, which is the 3rd note of its scale. E minor’s relative major is G major, B minor’s is D major and G minor’s is B♭ major. The chart above reads both ways.
Relative and parallel minor
The relative minor keeps the notes and moves the first one: G major and E minor. The parallel minor keeps the first note and changes three others, the 3rd, 6th and 7th, a half step down: G major and G minor, which trades one sharp for two flats. Play G major, then G minor, and the change is darker and sudden; play G major, then E minor, and it is the same notes leaning somewhere else.
Every key and its relative minor, side by side round the circle, are on the circle of fifths.
The chords they share
A major key and its relative minor have the same seven chords. In G major they are G, Am, Bm, C, D, Em and F♯dim; in E minor the same chords count from Em. That is why so many songs move between them: the verse sits on Em and Am, the chorus lands on G and C, and nothing has to change key. The pop progression shows it, G D Em C, with the relative minor as its third chord.
Progressions that move between the two are on chord progressions.
Questions about the relative minor
What is a relative minor?
The minor key that uses the same seven notes and the same key signature as a major key. It starts on the major scale’s 6th note: C major’s relative minor is A minor, and both use only the white keys. The two share every chord, so a song can move between them without a single new note.
How do you find the relative minor?
Count up to the 6th note of the major scale, or go three half steps down from the major key’s first note. Both land on the same note: from G, G F♯ F E, so G major’s relative minor is E minor. Keep the letters three apart (G to E), so it is spelled with the same key signature.
What is the relative minor of G major?
E minor. It has the same key signature as G major, 1 sharp: F♯, and starts on E, the 6th note of the G major scale.
What is the relative minor of C major?
A minor. It has the same key signature as C major, no sharps or flats, and starts on A, the 6th note of the C major scale.
What is the relative minor of D major?
B minor. It has the same key signature as D major, 2 sharps: F♯ and C♯, and starts on B, the 6th note of the D major scale.
What is the relative minor of A major?
F♯ minor. It has the same key signature as A major, 3 sharps: F♯, C♯ and G♯, and starts on F♯, the 6th note of the A major scale.
How do you find the relative major?
Go the other way: three half steps up from the minor key’s first note, which is the 3rd note of its scale. B minor’s relative major is D major, and G minor’s is B♭ major.
What is the difference between a relative and a parallel minor?
A relative minor shares the major key’s notes and starts on a different note: G major and E minor. A parallel minor starts on the same note and changes three notes: G major and G minor, which has two flats instead of one sharp.
Do relative keys use the same chords?
Yes. G major’s chords are G, Am, Bm, C, D, Em and F♯dim, and E minor’s are the same seven, counted from Em. What changes is which chord feels like home, so a song that leans on Em, Am and C sounds minor, and one that leans on G, C and D sounds major.
Make a beat in a minor key
Opens the free editor with a beat in E minor, G major’s relative minor. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.
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