relative major


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

Origin of relative major

1
First recorded in 1840–50

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use relative major in a sentence

  • It is as though the term 'dominant' when applied to a Minor key were made to mean the dominant of the relative major key.

    The Modes of Ancient Greek Music | David Binning Monro
  • A new subject in the relative major is treated in imitative fashion.

    The Pianoforte Sonata | J.S. Shedlock
  • The second subject, in the orthodox relative major, is evolved from the principal theme.

    The Pianoforte Sonata | J.S. Shedlock
  • In a minor movement the second subject is found more often in the relative major than in the dominant minor.

    The Pianoforte Sonata | J.S. Shedlock
  • Major; Minor: Major and Minor keys having the same signature should be called relative major and minor.