Relative minor

In music theory, a relative minor is a minor scale that uses the same, or nearly the same, notes as a particular major scale. For example, the scale of C major uses only the notes played with white keys on a piano. Its relative minor is A minor, which (in its simplest form) also uses only the white notes.

Music of many varieties often modulates (changes key) between a major key and its relative minor.

Here are the possible major keys and their relative minors:

• C major: A minor
• C sharp/D flat major: A sharp/B flat minor
• D major: B minor
• E flat major: C minor
• E major: C sharp minor
• F major: D minor
• F sharp/G flat major: D sharp/E flat minor
• G major: E minor
• A flat major: F minor
• A major: F sharp minor
• B flat major: G minor
• B/C flat major: G sharp/A flat minor