C minor

C minor (abreviated Cm) is a minor scale based on C, consisting of the pitches C, D, E-flat, F, G, A-flat, B and C (harmonic minor scale). Its key signature consists of three flats.

Related Topics:
Minor scale - Key signature

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In the Baroque, music in C minor was usually written with a two-flat key signature, and some modern editions of that repertoire keep it that way.

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Its relative key is E-flat major, and its parallel major is C major.

Related Topics:
Relative key - E-flat major - Parallel major - C major

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Changes needed for the melodic and harmonic versions of the scale are written in with accidentals as necessary.

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Since Beethoven's usage, C minor has been associated with heroic struggle, with the quintessential work in the key being Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor. The fact that Brahms's First Symphony is in C minor contributed to it being nicknamed "Beethoven's Tenth". Three of Anton Bruckner's nine symphonies are in C minor.

Related Topics:
Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 in C minor - Anton Bruckner

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