Minor Keys
In music there are two main types of scales, namely majors and minors. The major scale is based on the following pattern of tones and semitones:
The minor scale is based upon a different pattern of tones and semitones, as outlined in the A minor scale:
In a minor scale there is a distance of one and a half semitones between the 6th and 7th notes (e.g., in the A minor scale in the previous diagram, F to G).
If you compare the C major and A minor scale, it can be seen that they both contain the same notes, except for the seventh note of the minor scale, which has been sharpened. Because these two scales are so similar, they are called 'relative' scales i.e., A minor is the relative minor scale of C major and vice versa. The same principle is applied to chords; the Am chord is the relative minor of the C chord.
Every major scale has a relative minor, which is based upon the 6th note of the major scale; for example:
The E minor scale (the relative minor of G major) will contain the same notes as the G major scale, except for the 7th note (called the leading note) which is sharpened.
This minor scale is referred to as the harmonic minor. There are two other types of minor scales, namely the natural (or pure) minor and the melodic minor. These are discussed in more detail in Progressive Lead Guitar.
The following table summarizes the relationship between major and minor keys.
Both the major key and its relative minor share the same key signature, as illustrated in the diagram:
C Major or A Minor
G Major or E Minor
D Major or B Minor
A Major or F# Minor
E Major or C# Minor
F Major or D Minor
Bb Major or G Minor
Eb Major or C Minor
The sharpened 7th note that occurs in the relative minor key is never included as part of the key signature. Because each major and relative minor share the same key signature, you will need to know how to distinguish between the two keys. For example if given a piece with the key signature of F# thus:
it could indicate the key of G major, or its relative, E minor. The most accurate way of determining the key is to look through the melody for the sharpened 7th note of the E minor scale (D sharp). The presence of this note will indicate the minor key. If the 7th note is present, but not sharpened, then the key is more likely to be the relative major (i.e., D natural notes would suggest the key of G major).
Another method is to look at the first and last chords of the progression. These chords usually (but not always) indicate the key of the piece. If the piece starts and/or finishes with Em chords then the key is more likely to be E minor.
