A minor key that has the same tonic as a major key but a different key signature is called what?

• A. Relative minor
• B. Parallel minor
• C. Diatonic minor
• D. Enharmonic minor

Answer: (B)

This is about how major and minor keys relate through their tonic and signature. When a minor key shares the same tonic as a major key but uses a different key signature, that relationship is called the parallel minor. For example, C major has no sharps or flats, while its minor form with the same tonic is C minor, which uses three flats (Bb, Eb, Ab). The change in signature signals the shift to a minor scale built on the same root note.

The other idea often contrasted here is the relative minor, which shares the major’s key signature but has a different tonic (the relative minor starts on the sixth degree of the major scale). The terms diatonic minor or enharmonic minor aren’t standard labels for this particular relationship.