Chapter 4
Parallel minor keys are minor keys that share the same tonic note as their corresponding major keys but have different key signatures.
For example, C major and C minor are parallel keys because they both start on the note C, but C major has no sharps or flats, while C minor has three flats. The shift from major to parallel minor changes the mood and tonality, often making the music sound darker or more somber.
Rule for Key Signature of Parallel Minor Keys
A parallel minor key shares the same tonic note as its major key but has a different key signature.
Rule: Subtract three from the tonic keyboard position value to find the key signature of the parallel minor key.
Results:
Positive Results: The parallel minor key will have sharps (♯). As the positive values increase, add sharps starting from the lowest value (-1) and move upward incrementally.
Negative Results: The parallel minor key will have flats (♭). As the negative values increase, add flats starting from the highest value (5) and move downward incrementally.
Zero Result: No sharps or flats (e.g., A minor).
Example:
Add sharps as described if subtracting three from the tonic results in a positive value.
If the result is negative, add flats as described.
For example, subtracting three from the tonic of B♭ results in B♭ minor, which has five flats.