What is C minor?
{{Infobox Scale | image_name=E-flat_Major_key_signature.png | scale_name=C minor | relative=[[E-flat major|E{{music|flat}} major]] | parallel=[[C major]] | first_pitch=C | second_pitch=D | third_pitch=E{{music|flat}} | fourth_pitch=F | fifth_pitch=G | sixth_pitch=A{{music|flat}} | seventh_pitch=B{{music|flat}} }} '''C minor''' is a [[minor scale]] based on C. Its pitches are [[C (musical note)|C]], [[D (musical note)|D]], [[D♯ (musical note)|E{{music|flat}}]], [[F (musical note)|F]], [[G (musical note)|G]], [[G♯ (musical note)|A{{music|flat}}]], [[A♯ (musical note)|B{{music|flat}}]], and C. Its [[key signature]] has three flats. Its [[harmonic minor]] raises the B{{music|flat}} to B{{music|natural}}. When written in [[jazz notation]], its short form is '''Cm'''. Its [[Relative key|relative major]] is [[E-flat major]], and its [[parallel key|parallel major]] is [[C major]]. ==Use in classical music== In the [[Baroque music|Baroque period]], music in C minor was usually written with a two-flat key signature. When this music is printed today, sometimes it is still printed in the same way. C minor has had the meaning of [[hero]]ic [[wikt:struggle|struggle]] from [[Ludwig van Beethoven|Beethoven]]'s time and the composer wrote many of his most emotional, dramatic works in this key. This has also been done by many others, following Beethoven's style. These are just a few of the well-known works to be written in C minor: * ''[[Cello Suite No. 5 (Bach)|Cello Suite No. 5 BWV 1011: VI. Gigue]]'' - [[Johann Sebastian Bach]] * ''[[Great Mass in C minor (Mozart)]]'' - [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]] * ''[[Piano Concerto No. 24 (Mozart)|Piano Concerto No. 24]]'' - [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]] * ''[[Piano Concerto No. 3 (Beethoven)|Piano Concerto No. 3]]'' - [[Ludwig van Beethoven]] * [[Symphony No. 5 (Beethoven)]], op. 67 (1804-8) * “[[Choral Fantasy]]” in C minor, op. 80 (1808), [[Beethoven]] * ''[[Piano Sonata No. 8 (Beethoven)|Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor (Pathétique)]]'' - [[Ludwig van Beethoven]] * ''[[Piano S