Fundamentals
of
Music Theory

Keys

Key Signatures
Order of Sharps and Flats
So, Which is Which?
Minor Key Signatures
Relative and Parallel Keys
Test Yourself!

Fundamentals Home

Topics

Half and Whole Steps
Scales
Generic Intervals
Perfect Interval Group
Major/minor Interval Group
More on Intervals
Keys
Triads
Triad Inversion
Seventh Chords

Fundamentals Exams

Site Map

About Scott Perkins

About Greg Ristow

Relative and Parallel Keys

Every key has a relative key and a parallel key. Relative keys share the same key signature:

What is the tonic note of the following keys?

The relative Major of C# minor:
The relative minor of Ab Major:

Parallel keys share the same tonic (or letter name):

To change a Major key signature to minor, simply add three flats (or take away three sharps). To change a minor key signature to Major, add three sharps (or take away three flats)!

How many sharps or flats do the following keys have?

The parallel minor of Eb Major:
The relative minor of Eb Major:
The parallel Major of f# minor:
The relative Major of f# minor:

Next Page: Test Yourself!