How do you tell what the relative minor of a major is. I'm talking about scales. Is there a chart or do you just have to memorize it?
The relative minor is the sixth note of the major scale.
Or you can count back three frets on the guitar.
Well we all shine on--like the moon and the stars and the sun.
-- John Lennon
The relative minor is built on the 6th degree of the major scale (1 whole step higher than the 5th if that helps).
In C major, A is the 6th, 2 frets higher than the 5th, G.
Backwards, the major is the flat 3rd of the minor. In A major, C is the b3, 3 frets up.
It becomes 2nd nature eventually.
Look at this partial neck diagram.
M is the major, m is the relative minor (6th), 5 is the 5th (of the major).
--|-----|-----|--m--|-----|-----|--M--|-----|-----|
--|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|--5--|-----|--m--|
--|--m--|-----|-----|--M--|-----|-----|-----|-----|
--|-----|-----|-----|--5--|-----|--m--|-----|-----|
--
Helgi Briem
hbriem AT gmail DOT com
