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The key signature enables you to define, within
a score, a change of tonality i.e. which scale is used to play the part.
Here is the list of all notes which can be played
within an octave :
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
C | C#
or Db |
D | D#
or Eb |
E | F | F#
or Gb |
G | G#
or Ab |
A | A#
or Bb |
B |
For the major scale of D, it will give a scale
made of semitones : 3 (root note), 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 and 14.
Semitone # 14 is in fact the 2nd semitone of
the next higher octave.
It gives then the scale D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#.
In a score, if only the notes belonging
to the scale of D are used, then all Fs and all Cs will be
sharp.
To make the notation less cluttered, these two
sharp symbols are drawn only at the clef, that is just after the clef
symbol.
This informs the performer
of the key being used, and in
so doing , the default
accidentals (notes with sharps or flats).
To determine which key is used in a score (or
a part), just count the number of sharps or flats drawn after the clef
:
Number of Sharps | Key | Number of flats | Key | |
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Generally, key signature changes apply to all
staves in the score. Some instruments such as the clarinet, saxophone,
trumpet or horn do not play the note actually indicated on the score, however,
but a note shifted up or down by a given number of semitones.
They are called "transposing
instruments".
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A key change is always positioned at the beginning
of a bar.You can make a change of key signature at any bar in the score.
For example, a staff can begin in the key of
C major, and then switch to F major a few bars later.
Editing
Global editing:Selecting a key signature
To change the global key signature of a score, select "Score>key and time signature". The key signature selection box opens.Local editing :
A dedicated tool palette ("Window>Clef & signature tools") is available. It contains the key signature change tool, as well as tools for changing clef and time signature.Select the key signature change tool (icon with sharps symbols on a staff) and click on a bar. The key signature selection box opens.
The selection box has three tabs. Select the second one, marked "key signature". In the upper portion of the window, you can see a preview of the key signature you are defining.
By using the scroll bar you can add sharps and flats to,or subtract them from, the current key signature. Advanced users can also define custom keys by using buttons on the right, and defining the root note in the bottom field.
The "visible key signature" check box enables you to define whether the key signature is displayed or not. To ensure good readability of your score however, avoid setting invisible key changes.
The key signature display mode defines whether natural symbols are used to cancel the previous key signature or not.
The Propagate change till the end of tune check box enables you to transpose all key changes following the one you are setting. For example, if you switch key signature from C to D, all following key signatures will be increased by two semitones. For example, a G key signature (one sharp) will be transformed into A (three sharps).
At the bottom of the window, pop-up menus enable you to select :
• The transposition to apply to notes when a new key is inserted into a score.Absolute and relative mode
Notes following this key change can be :• Which staves the key signature will be applied to.
- Not transposed : in this case, their screen location changes so that they play the same pitch as before.
- Transposed up : they will play in the new key, at a higher pitch than before.
- Transposed down : they will play in the new key, at a lower pitch than before.
- Graphically unchanged : they will stay at the same graphical location on the staff (but they will not sound at the same pitch as before)
It can be the current staff only, all staves in the score, or only selected staves.
In the two last cases, you can select whether the change is made in absolute or relative mode.
In absolute mode, key change is applied as is to other staves.
In relative mode, key change is applied taking into account any key difference between the two staves. In case of doubt, select relative mode.
As described above, a key change can be applied absolutely or relatively.
When applied absolutely :