What characteristic does the parallel minor scale share with its major counterpart?

The parallel minor scale shares the same tonic pitch with its major counterpart, which means both scales begin on the same note. For example, the C major scale and the C minor scale both start on C. This shared tonic creates a strong harmonic and melodic relationship between the two scales, allowing for interesting contrasts and modulations in music composition and performance. Understanding this relationship is vital for musicians, as it influences how they approach key changes and explore different emotional landscapes in their music.

In contrast, the other answer choices refer to different aspects of scales that do not apply in the case of parallel scales. The dominant chord, scale degree structure, and key signature can differ between parallel major and minor scales, making the tonic pitch the defining common characteristic.