Definition of Parallel key
In music theory, a major scale and a minor scale that have the same starting note (tonic) are called parallel keys and are said to be in a parallel relationship. For example, G major and G minor have the same tonic (G) but have different modes, so G minor is the parallel minor of G major. This relationship is different from that of relative keys, a pair of major and minor scales that share the same notes but start on different tonics (e.g., G major and E minor).
A major scale can be transformed to its parallel minor by lowering the third, sixth, and seventh scale degrees, and a minor scale can be transformed to its parallel major by raising those same scale degrees.
In the early nineteenth century, composers began to experiment with freely borrowing chords from the parallel key.
Terms mentioned above
Related terms
E-flat minor
E-flat minor is a minor scale based on E♭, consisting of the pitches E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭…
Relative key
In music theory, relative keys are the major and minor scales that have the same key…
C major
C major is a major scale based on C, consisting of the pitches C, D, E, F, G, A, and B…
Subdominant
In music, the subdominant is the fourth tonal degree of the diatonic scale. It is so…
Music written in all major or minor keys
There is a long tradition in classical music of writing music in sets of pieces that…
Dominant (music)
In music, the dominant is the fifth scale degree of the diatonic scale. It is called the…
Subtonic
In music, the subtonic is the degree of a musical scale which is a whole step below the…
Ditonic scale
A ditonic scale is a musical scale or mode with two notes per octave. This is in…
Tritonic scale
A tritonic scale is a musical scale or mode with three notes per octave. This is in…
Frequently asked questions
What is Parallel key?
In music theory, a major scale and a minor scale that have the same starting note (tonic) are called parallel keys and are said to be in a parallel relationship.