## Parallel Keys **Parallel keys** are two keys that share the same tonic. **Example 1** below shows the parallel keys of C major and C minor, whose shared tonic is C. In addition to sharing $\hat{1}$, parallel keys also share $\hat{2}$, $\hat{4}$, and $\hat{5}$. These are known as the [[Tonal Scale Degrees]]. Scale degrees that differ between the major and minor modes ($\hat{3}$, $\hat{6}$, and $\hat{7}$) are known as the [[Modal Scale Degrees]]. **Example 1.** Parallel keys of C major and C minor with the modal scale degrees highlighted. ![[parallel and relative keys example 1.png]] To find the parallel minor of a major key, add three flats to the major key signature. For example, the key of F major has one flat; therefore, the key of F minor will have four flats. >[!Note] >Adding a flat to a key signature is the same as subtracting a sharp. For example, the key of E major has four sharps; therefore, to find the parallel minor key signature we take away three sharps, resulting in one sharp for E minor. Similarly, to find the parallel major of a minor key signature, add three sharps to the minor key signature. For example, the key of B minor has two sharps; therefore, the key of B major will have five sharps. As noted above, flats and sharps have opposite values. Adding a sharp is the same as subtracting a flat. For example, the key of B♭ minor has five flats; therefore, B♭ major will have two flats. ## Relative Keys **Relative keys** are two keys that share the same key signature. **Example 2** below shows the relative keys of E♭ major and C minor, which share the same collection of pitches (E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C, and D). In order to find the relative minor of a major key, count three steps backward from the upper tonic ($\hat{1}$–$\hat{7}$–$\hat{6}$). In order to find the relative major of a minor key, count three steps forward from the lower tonic ($\hat{1}$–$\hat{2}$–$\flat\hat{3}$). In summary, $\hat{6}$ in major becomes $\hat{1}$ in its relative minor, whereas $\flat\hat{3}$ in minor becomes $\hat{1}$ in its relative major. **Example 2.** Relative keys of E♭ major and C minor. ![[parallel and relative keys example 2.png]]