The Ruler
Keep the home; change the collection
Parallel minor changes the third, sixth, and seventh while keeping the tonic.
Take the guided lessonTwo different meanings of a related minor
C major's relative minor and parallel minor are the same key.
Its relative minor is A minor: shared collection, different tonic. Its parallel minor is C minor: shared tonic, changed collection.
Keep C in the bass and compare the color notes
The rhythm, register, and low C are unchanged. The minor version lowers E, A, and B to Eb, Ab, and Bb. Listen for the changed distances rather than assigning a fixed emotion.
A shared tonic is the controlled comparison
Relative keys change the home while preserving the collection. Parallel keys keep the home while changing the collection. Ask which ingredient stayed fixed before using either label.
These comparisons concern natural minor. Minor-key music can also change its sixth or seventh in context; the later harmony section will introduce those choices.
Write C natural minor beside C major
Keep the tonic C. Lower major's third, sixth, and seventh and spell each degree once.
G major and E minor are relative or parallel?
Takeaways
- Relative: keep the collection and move the home.
- Parallel: keep the home and change the collection.