All major keys have a relative minor key. It means both key share the same key signatures. For example: the key of D major has 2 sharps (F sharp and C sharp) and so is the relative minor of D major, the B minor.
To find out about the relative minor of a major key, one can go to the sixth degree of the major key. For example, the sixth degree of C major is the A. A minor is the relative minor of C major.

The following are the relative minors of 14 major keys:

Major Keys	Relative Minor Keys	Key Signature
C major	A minor
G major	E minor	F#
D major	B minor	F# C#
A major	F# minor	F# C# G#
E major	C# minor	F# C# G# D#
B major	G# minor	F# C# G# D# A#
F# major	D# minor	F# C# G# D# A# E#
C# major	A# minor	F# C# G# D# A# E# B#
F major	D minor	Bb
Bb major	G minor	Bb Eb
Eb major	C minor	Bb Eb Ab
Ab major	F minor	Bb Eb Ab Db
Db major	Bb minor	Bb Eb Ab Db Gb
Gb major	Eb minor	Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb
Cb major	Ab minor	Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb Fb

* Do you know some keys are called differently but have same notes. Gb major is the same as F# major. Cb major is the same as B major. They are called enharmonic notes.

All of the relative minor key are called natural minor keys.

Natural Minor, Harmonic Minor, and Melodic Minor

1. Harmonic Minor - This is the most commonly used minor scale in Western music. It is based on the natural minor, but the 7th scale degree is raised 1/2 step. For example: A natural minor has no key signature (no sharp nor flat), but A harmonic minor has G sharp. G is the seventh note of A minor.

2. Melodic Minor - The melodic minor scale is different ascending and descending. Ascending, the 6th and 7th degrees of the natural minor scale are raised 1/2 step; descending, the natural form of the minor is used (both accidentals are cancelled).

Table 1: Comparison among C major, A natural minor, A harmonic minor, and A melodic minor scales.

III

VII

VIII

VII

III

Major

Minor

Har. Minor

Mel.

Minor

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