When you first start learning music theory, major and minor scales often feel like two completely different worlds. We’re taught that Major is “happy” and Minor is “sad.” While that’s a good starting point, there is a much deeper, “familial” connection between the two known as Relativity.
Watch a video lesson with relative major and minor scales on the bass guitar.
At MC Music Lessons, we love teaching these “lightbulb moment” concepts because they make the entire fretboard or keyboard suddenly make sense.
What is a Relative Minor?
Every single Major scale has a “sibling” Minor scale. These two scales are Relative because they share the exact same DNA—meaning they use the exact same notes and the same key signature.
The only difference is where the scale starts and ends (the “tonic”).
The Famous Example: C Major and A Minor
Let’s look at the most common example in music:
- C Major: C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C
- A Minor: A – B – C – D – E – F – G – A
Notice anything? Neither scale has any sharps or flats. They use the same white keys on a piano. However, because A Minor centers around the note “A,” it takes on a darker, more melancholic character than its C Major counterpart.
Two Easy Ways to Find the Relative Minor
How do you find the relative minor of any Major key? You don’t need a calculator; you just need to count to six or three.
1. The 6th Degree Rule
The relative minor always starts on the 6th note of the Major scale.
- In G Major (G, A, B, C, D, E, F#), the 6th note is E.
- Therefore, E Minor is the relative minor of G Major.
2. The “Three Frets/Half-Steps” Rule
If you are holding an instrument, find the root note of your Major scale and move down three half-steps (or three frets on a guitar).
- Start on C. Move down: B, Bb, A.
- There it is: A Minor.
Why Should You Care?
Understanding relativity is a “cheat code” for musicians for several reasons:
- Easier Soloing: If you are improvising a solo over a song in G Major, you can use all your E Minor pentatonic shapes. They will fit perfectly because the notes are identical!
- Songwriting Magic: Want to make a song sound more dramatic? Switch from the Major key to its relative minor during the bridge. It adds emotional depth without requiring the listener to adjust to a whole new set of notes.
- Faster Memorization: You only have to learn 12 key signatures instead of 24. If you know the sharps in D Major, you already know the sharps in B Minor.
Practice This Week
Next time you’re practicing your scales, try playing one octave of a Major scale, then immediately play the relative minor scale right next to it. Notice how the “mood” changes even though your fingers are staying in the same neighborhood.
Want to dive deeper into music theory and master your instrument? Book a lesson with us at MC Music Lessons today!
