Minor scale based on the accidentals of the "natural" minor scale, not on those of the harmonic or melodic minor scales. For example, a piece in E minor will have one sharp in its key signature because the E natural minor scale has one sharp (F). Major and minor keys that share the same key signature are "relative" to each other. For instance, F major is the relative major of D minor since both have key signatures with one flat. Since the natural minor scale is built on the 6th degree of the major scale, the tonic of the relative minor is
Prelude in A-flat major (Rachmaninoff) Prelude in A-flat major (Rachmaninoff) The Prelude in A-flat major, Op. 23, No. 8, is a 1903 composition by Sergei Rachmaninoff. It is part of Rachmaninoff's Ten Preludes, Op. 23. The work is three-part ternary; however, it assumes monothematic characteristics. The first occurrence Section A comprises measures 1–19, Section B of 19–43, Section A returns from measures 43–70, and the coda is placed at measures 70–78. A right hand figuration extends over a descending quarter-note melody in the first two bars, outlining the A flat chord. This motive repeats, and then is varied in measures 5–8, in succession. From measures