Relative Major & Minor Keys

MAJOR KEY SIGNATURE RELATIVE MINOR

C A

G E

D B

A F#

E C#

B G#

F# E#

C# A#

F D

Bb G

Eb C

Ab F

Db Bb

Gb Eb

Cb Ab

©www.onlinebasscourses.com �1

Using F Minor/Ab Major Pentatonic As An Example

Notice that both scales contain exactly the same notes, patterns and distances between notes. The only difference is that F minor pentatonic starts on F and Ab major pentatonic starts on Ab. They’re said to be related because they share the same notes.

©www.onlinebasscourses.com �2

Shortcuts…

To Find The Relative MajorIf you’re playing a minor scale and you want to find the relative major:

• Go up three frets on the same string or• Go down two frets and down a string

The relative major is a minor third up from the minor.

Find The Relative MinorIf you’re playing a major scale and you want to find the relative minor, do the opposite.

• Go down three frets on the same string or• Go up two frets and up a string

The relative minor is a minor third down from the major.

©www.onlinebasscourses.com �3