key signature question

• Feb 10, 2025 - 15:36

i'm arranging a wind band piece for a flex ensemble, but the original score has no key signatures for any instruments (and the score is not in C). how can i make all parts the same key signature even though they're transposing instruments?


Comments

You score is in "Concert pitch". At the bottom of the program window is a Concert pitch check box. Check it and enter the notes as you see them. Then Un check the box to get the different keys.
If you are setting up the score from scratch, remember to select the keys of your instruments. Bb trumpet, Eb alto sax and so on.

In reply to by HildeK

> has no key signatures
> and the score is not in C

It could be written with an "open" key signature but with transposing instruments shown at written pitch, in which case the concert pitch button will toggle between showing sounding pitch and written pitch (which will be different in the case of transposing instruments) but there is no key signature to transpose and so the key signature (or rather, lack thereof) will be the same for both states of the concert pitch button.

Last night I was playing John Williams' Extracts from ET on clarinet. I have no key signature, neither does my neighbouring bassoonist, but my part is in Bb and hers is in concert pitch. In fact, we both have an X in place of a key signature.

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