6 String Freedom

Part 7: Make a minor key feel like home · Lesson 060 / 117

Parallel scales keep the same tonic

Today’s one thing

Compare C major and C natural minor without changing home.

Parallel major and minor scales share a tonic. C major is C–D–E–F–G–A–B; C natural minor is C–D–Eb–F–G–Ab–Bb.

The third, sixth and seventh are each one semitone lower in natural minor. The tonic, second, fourth and fifth stay fixed. This is a comparison of interval structures around the same reference.

Begin with only the third: compare E and Eb above C. That is already familiar from major and minor triads. In later passes, listen to A versus Ab and B versus Bb. Do not try to notice all three changes in a single fast scale run.

The backing should support the comparison: C major for the major example, C minor for the minor. Keep the tonic C audible so that a change of home does not distract from the changed intervals.

Hear it

Parallel

Audio file

Four-beat count-in · 60 BPM · Warm sampled electric guitar. Listen once before playing along.

A concrete example

C major degrees 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 become natural minor 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7. The tonic remains C.

Fretboard view

High E (string 1) is the top line, matching guitar tablature. Select a note to hear it.

Root / tonicChord toneTargetChanged / colour noteOther note
C major: C–E–G
The tonic is C and the third is E.
Guitar fretboard diagram: C major: C–E–G. High E string on top, frets 3 to 5. Notes C, E, G.
This is the C-major reference for the parallel comparison.
Play notes from a larger button list
C natural minor: C–E♭–G
Same tonic C, lower third E♭.
Guitar fretboard diagram: C natural minor: C–E♭–G. High E string on top, frets 3 to 5. Notes C, Eb, G.
Natural minor also lowers the sixth and seventh: A♭ and B♭. This triad is only the first comparison.
Play notes from a larger button list

One small map at a time. Hear the notes, then play the example without looking.

Try it, slowly

  1. Compare C–E–C and C–Eb–C.
  2. Make a second comparison using A and Ab above C.
  3. Name the three changed degrees, then return to the simple third comparison.

Check one idea

What stays fixed in a parallel major/minor comparison?

Show the explanation

The tonic. C stays the home reference in C major versus C minor; the interval collection changes.

A good place to stop

You can explain “same tonic, changed degrees” and demonstrate at least one of the changes.

Return to the example after a short break. A clear explanation matters more than speed.