Understanding Relative Keys, Part 1

As guitar players, we all should understand the basics of music theory. A working knowledge of music theory enables us to better communicate with other musicians and to explore different ideas on the instrument. This is the first of installment of a three-part series on basic music theory for guitarists.
 
Let’s start by talking about relative keys. Every major key has a relative minor key, which simply means that for every major key, there is a minor key with the SAME notes. That’s it! Easy, right? Let’s pick a scale to illustrate this idea:
 
C Major Scale: C D E F G A B (C)

E--------------------------------
B--------------------------------
G------------------2-4-(5)-------
D------------2-3-5---------------
A-------3-5----------------------
E--------------------------------

 
The relative minor scale of any major scale begins on the sixth scale degree of that major scale. So, to find the relative minor of a given major scale, all you have to do is count up the the sixth note in that scale (known as the sixth scale degree):
 
C-1 D-2 E-3 F-4 G-5  A-6  B-7
 
A is the sixth scale degree in the C Major Scale, meaning that A Minor is the relative minor of C Major. Remember, these two scales use EXACTLY the same notes; so, to construct the A Minor Scale, simply move upward from A using the notes of the C Major Scale:
 
A Minor Scale: A B C D E F G (A)

E--------------------------------
B--------------------------------
G--------------------------------
D--------------5-(7)-------------
A--------5-7-8-------------------
E--5-7-8-------------------------

If we extend these two scales up another octave, we have: 

C Major Scale (2 octaves)

E-------------------------------3-5-6--
B-------------------------3-5-6--------
G-------------------2-4-5--------------
D------------2-3-5---------------------
A--------3-5---------------------------
E--------------------------------------

A Minor Scale (2 octaves)

E--------------------------------------
B------------------------5-6-8---------
G------------------4-5-7---------------
D--------------5-7---------------------
A--------5-7-8-------------------------
E--5-7-8-------------------------------

​Now that you know how to recognize and construct the relative minor scale, it’s time to find some ways to apply it to your playing. Book a lesson with your favorite teacher and ask him or her how to integrate the relative minor into your everyday practice.

Stay tuned for parts two and three of this series!

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