Major and Minor Keys

There are fifteen major keys though there are only 12 chromatic notes. That is because three keys are enharmonic. The keys move from the key of C (0#,0b) up and down in Fifths. As you move up the keys in Fifths, you increase in sharps, as you move down the key in Fifths, you increase flats. To denote the number of sharps and flats we use a key signature. A key signature is a collection of all the sharps or flats in a given scale. The best way to view the different keys and how they relate is the Circle of Fifths. The following shows the keys of the Major and relative Minor in addition to their key signature.

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Each major key has a minor key related to them. There is a relative minor and a parallel minor. A relative minor is located a minor third below the major key on the submediant 6th degree of the scale. For example, the relative minor of C is A minor. There are 3 different minor modes: natural minor, melodic minor, and harmonic minor.

The natural minor is diatonically the same as the major key since they share the same pitches. The scale degree names for the natural minor are the same except in one aspect. The 7th degree of the scale in the Major key is a minor 2nd away from the octave and is called the leading tone. In the natural minor scale, the 7th degree is a major second away from the octave and is called the subtonic. Here is A natural minor mode.

The harmonic minor has a raised 7th degree of the scale. Here is the A harmonic minor mode.

The melodic minor has a raised 6th and 7th degree of the scale. In classical music the melodic minor raises the 6th and 7th on the way up and lowers them on the way down. In jazz the melodic minor is known as the jazz minor and plays the scale with the raised 6th and 7th at all times. Here is the A melodic minor mode.

There is also the parallel minor, which shares the same pitch as the major key. The parallel minor of C major is C minor, which is the relative minor of Eb Major. Here is C natural minor.