what is the difference between major key and minor key in music?

Answer 1

They are the same notes in a different order:

C major: CDEFGABC
A Minor: ABCDEFGA

So the 3rd of the minor is flat
The 6th is flat
The 7th is flat

The major key is called the Ionian mode and the Minor key is the Aeolian mode

So in the key or C major you have:
C Ionian
D Dorian
E Phrygian
F Lydian
G Mixolydian
A Aeolian
B Locian

To play a mode of C major just start at that note

Ex: D dorian starts at d so its: DEFGABCD
Ex: G Mixo starts at G so its: GABCDEFG

The chords are made up from the scale.

So the I chord in Mixo is GBD
In Aeolian its ACE
and so on

Thats the modes based off of Ionian then theres the modes based off the altered minor scales like harmonic minor and melodic minor and the modes based off of each of those scales

But the melodic minor and harmonic minor modes are a different lesson and only is useful for jazz or blues musicians.

oh and as a footnote

The reason you hear the modes differently is becuase when you harmonize them the chords utilize different ratios of frequencies;

Ex: a major chord has a simpler ratio to the root. its the root at 1x then the fiftf at 1.5X the freq of the root and then the 3rd at 1.33x the freqency

Ex. a minor chord has a much more complex ratio. The fifth is still the same but the 3rd has a less natural fraction that doesn't occur in nature as much as halves and 3rds do. so the human brain doesn't process the relationship between notes then same as a major chord giving a different tonality to the chord and thats what makes music interesting..

funny that music is all math between frequecies and subdivisons of rhythems but don't tell that to a musician or music might suddenly be uncool to them.

Answer 2

Okay I hope I can explain this without looking like a complete retard. To tell the difference between major and minor keys in a song, simply listen for a sad, mournful type of melody for minor, opposed to a more bright, happy type of melody for major. And when you say the song could be in E flat major or C minor, theoretically, the song is both major and minor. But you can tell which one is really being emphasized by listening for "happy" or "sad". And if Mr. P ever teaches modes you will understand this WHOLE lot better.

Answer 3

Actually, a minor *chord* has a flat 3rd in the scale.

A minor *key* is one which uses chords in a different combination of minor and major than a major key.

A major key uses:
I major
II minor
III minor
IV major
V major
VI minor
VII diminished

A minor key uses:
I minor
II minor
III major
IV minor
V minor
VI major
VII major

Answer 4

The minor key has a flat 3rd in the scale.

Answer 5

major keys sound 'happy' and minor keys sound somewhat 'evil'. the flattened 3rd, 6th, and 7th are the actual differences in the minor scales.