The C major scale is the scale that begins on the note C and contains no sharps or flats. It is the only major scale that contains none, and thus none appear in its key signature. Its relative minor (the minor scale that has the same key signature) is A minor. Its parallel minor (the minor scale that has the same tonic) is C minor, which contains three flats. C major is the easiest scale for beginning piano players to visualize and use because it utilizes only the white keys on the piano keyboard, and it is one of the most commonly used scales in Western music. The key of C major refers to music written for or played in the C major scale.