relative major

American  

noun

Music.

1. the major key whose tonic is the third degree of a given minor key.

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Etymology

Origin of relative major

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

relative major

I can’t say that it has to be in a major key or go to the chorus to get to the relative major to get that lift, because that isn’t really what happens.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 27, 2017

You may find it helpful to notice that the "relative major" of the Dorian begins one whole step lower.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Even though they have the same key signature, a minor key and its relative major sound very different.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

The pattern for the minor scale starts a half step plus a whole step lower than the major scale pattern, so a relative minor is always three half steps lower than its relative major.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

The Allegro opens with a wild, sinister theme, and one which even casts a shadow over the calm, hope-inspiring strains afterwards heard in the orthodox key of the relative major.

From The Pianoforte Sonata Its Origin and Development by Shedlock, J. S. (John South)