C minor is a musical key that is based on the note C. It consists of the notes C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, and B♭. This key is often associated with a somber or melancholic mood, making it popular in various genres, including classical and contemporary music. In terms of scale structure, the C minor scale follows a specific pattern of whole and half steps. The natural minor scale is formed by the sequence: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. Composers like Ludwig van Beethoven and Frédéric Chopin have famously used C minor in their works, showcasing its emotional depth.