The Ruler
Same collection, another home
C major and A minor share notes; the music decides what feels central.
Take the guided lessonHold the phrase still; change what sits underneath
The melody is identical in both examples: E G E D E. First a low C stays underneath, then a low A. Attend to the bass reference rather than guessing from the first melody note.
Why did changing the sustained bass matter?
Relative keys share the signature
The relative natural minor begins on degree 6 of a major scale. C D E F G A B becomes A B C D E F G when A is the reference. The signature remains empty.
Do not merely start a scale run on A and declare a song minor. Bass, accompaniment, phrase endings, and emphasis help establish the tonal center. The drone examples isolate one of those cues.
Pair these major keys with their relative minors
Tap something on the left, then tap what it pairs with.
Reorder the familiar notes around A
The degrees now count from A. C has become degree 3, and G degree 7. These are the same pitches you met in C major, now heard and numbered around another tonic.
Natural minor: W H W W H W W
Takeaways
- Relative major and natural minor share a signature, not a tonic.
- Find the major scale's sixth degree; verify the new home by context.