MusicianCV · TRParallel major and minor
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Tonal centres and signatures
Parallel major and minor share a tonic, not an identical pitch collection. C major and C natural minor differ at degrees three, six and seven. This contrasts with relative keys, which share a signature but have different tonics.
When changing colour in an arrangement, identify the altered degrees rather than lowering notes indiscriminately. Harmonic and melodic minor practices require additional context beyond a natural-minor comparison. Mood also depends on tempo, phrasing and arrangement, not merely the major or minor label.
Example
Compare C major with C natural minor: E, A and B become flat.
Parallel major and minorC ↔ Cm
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What is the tonic of D major’s parallel minor?
Answer
D: the tonic remains the same.Related topics
Scale degrees and tonal centre · Reading key signaturesReferences
Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom
Subject-expert review pending.