What is the natural minor scale relative to A major?

• A. D minor
• B. F-sharp minor
• C. E minor
• D. B minor

Answer: (B)

The relation is built on the idea that the relative minor shares the same key signature as the major and starts on the sixth degree of the major scale. A major has three sharps (F#, C#, G#), so the sixth degree is F#. The natural minor scale starting on F# then is F#-G#-A-B-C#-D-E-F#. This uses the same three sharps, which makes it the natural minor relative to A major. The other options don’t share that three-sharp signature: D minor would require a Bb, E minor uses only one sharp, and B minor uses two sharps.