Relative Minor

The relative minor of a major mode

Within the major modes, every mode built on a major 3rd has a relative minor — a mode built on a minor 3rd that uses the exact same notes. ionian (the major scale) pairs with aeolian (the minor scale), lydian with dorian, and mixolydian with phrygian.

The pairing comes from a shared major pentatonic: the relative minor keeps all of the major mode's notes but takes a different note as its root — the one a minor 3rd below the major root — so the same notes now sound minor.

C major scale
CCD♭2DD dorianE♭3EE phrygian4FF lydianF♯5GG mixolydianA♭6AA aeolianB♭7BB locrian
C0D2E4F5G7A9B11
Circle of fifthsInside, the twelve notes by semitone — the wheel every set on this site is drawn on. Outside, the same twelve by fifths. 7 fifths from F — F C G D A E B. From C, ionian, the major scale: C D E F G A B. No sharps or flats; its neighbors G and F major share 6 of 7 notes. Inside, C G D A E: C major pentatonic, A minor pentatonic, the C major and A minor triads.