Parallel Keys: Shared Tonic
- Parallel keys share the same tonic
- Parallel-key pentachords shar four scale degrees
- Parallel keys share the same name but have different key signatures
(example: E Major & e minor)
- Parallel keys often appear within a single piece or movement to set a different mood
Relative Keys
(example: C Major & a minor)
relative minor (shortcut: count down three half step from the major-key tonic)
- If you are counting half steps, be careful to choose the correct spelling: it should conform to the key signature of
the major key AND span three different letter names
- Vice versa goes for finding the minor
Variability in the Minor Scale
- A minor key offers a variety of chromatic inflections and expressive possibilites to composers
- Harmonic minor: raises the seventh scale degree up a half step, to create a leading tone (makes an agumented
2nd) [accidentlas may mix and double sharps might be necessary]
- Melodic minor: differs in its ascending and descending forms. Ascending - the sixth and seventh scale degrees
are raised, corresponding exactly to the major scale. Descending - melodic minor is identical to natural minor
with b6 and b7
- Parallel keys share the same tonic
- Parallel-key pentachords shar four scale degrees
- Parallel keys share the same name but have different key signatures
(example: E Major & e minor)
- Parallel keys often appear within a single piece or movement to set a different mood
Relative Keys
- Relative Minor: Shared Key Signature
(example: C Major & a minor)
- Finding the Relative Minor and Major Keys
relative minor (shortcut: count down three half step from the major-key tonic)
- If you are counting half steps, be careful to choose the correct spelling: it should conform to the key signature of
the major key AND span three different letter names
- Vice versa goes for finding the minor
Variability in the Minor Scale
- A minor key offers a variety of chromatic inflections and expressive possibilites to composers
- The "Forms" of Minor
- Harmonic minor: raises the seventh scale degree up a half step, to create a leading tone (makes an agumented
2nd) [accidentlas may mix and double sharps might be necessary]
- Melodic minor: differs in its ascending and descending forms. Ascending - the sixth and seventh scale degrees
are raised, corresponding exactly to the major scale. Descending - melodic minor is identical to natural minor
with b6 and b7
- Identifying the Key of a Musical Passage
(1) Look at the key signature, and think of BOTH major and minor key associated with it
(2) Look at the beginning and end of the melody and bass line for motion to and from the major-key or minor-
key tonic
(3) Look for accidentals that might indicate the leading tone in minor
- Hearing Minor Scale Types
- If minor, then listen for a leading tone :: no leading tone might mean natural or melodic
- If you hear that the 6th an 7th scale degree is the same as major ascending, it's melodic
- Writing Minor Scales
- Begin your minor scale by writing note heads from tonic to tonic
- Count up three half steps from tonic, spanning three letter names, to get the realtive major key. Add
appropriate accidentals from that key signature
- Add further accidentals as needed
Scale Degrees In Minor
- The scale degree names in minor are identical to those in major with only a few exceptions
- The 7th scale degree in natural gets called the subtonic, a whole step below tonic
- Since the 3rd, 6th, and 7th scale degrees are crucial in distinguishing between major and minor, they are called the
modal scale degrees