What defines parallel major/minor?

• A. Major and minor keys with different tonics.
• B. Major and minor keys with the same key signature.
• C. Major and minor keys with the same tonic but different key signatures.
• D. Major and minor keys using the same scale degrees.

Answer: (C)

Parallel major and minor are defined by sharing the same tonic note but having different key signatures. In other words, the major and minor forms start on the same pitch, yet use different sets of accidentals. For example, C major and C minor both begin on C, but C major has no sharps or flats in its key signature, while C minor typically uses three flats (Bb, Eb, Ab). This combination—same tonic, different key signature—is what distinguishes parallel major/minor from other relationships. By contrast, when the key signatures are the same, you’re looking at a relative major/minor relationship, which uses the same set of sharps or flats but a different starting note.