Inconsistent key signatures
I am entering a score that has a key change. On the written score it appears that most non-transposing instruments display 5 sharps so I assume the new key is B Major. But when I enter this key signature, Musescore creates key signatures for some instruments, both transposing and non-transposing, that are inconsistent with the printed score so I assume not all instruments are in the same key. For example: (first status after instrument name is the key signature for SC when overall change to B Major is entered.)
Flute is 5 sharps and this is the same as the printed score; B Major
Oboe is 5 sharps but the printed score has none; ( Key of C?)
English Horn has 6 sharps but the printed score has only 1; (Key of C?)
B flat Clarinet has 7 sharps but the printed score has 5 flats.
The image below is a table summarizing the key signatures in C, B Major and as printed for these instruments. Is it common to have different instruments with different keys? If so, I would need to find the key that transposes the clarinet to 5 flats and then enter single instrument key changes to match the printed score. (Holst, The Planets/Jupiter measure ca. 388.) Any other explanation?
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Comments
There's little we can tell from a picture, but if you attach the score, we should be able to help. As it is. I can only guess the score uses a variety of "local" key signature that apply to that staff only rather than the usual kind.
BTW, note there is already an excellent professionally-edited version of the Planets on msuescore.com courtesy of the OpenScore project.
In reply to There's little we can tell… by Marc Sabatella
I have a copy of a score from musescore.com which I downloaded for reference to see how others included features not obvious from printed version. My purpose is the activity of creating the electronic version and is more an exercise than trying to provide a version that can be printed or used. In other words, it is the physical act of putting the text copy into the computer version and some of the challenges in that activity that I find fulfilling. Just a good mental exercise at times. As to why those five measures have the keys specified as such, can't find any info doing a web search from music historians.
In reply to I have a copy of a score… by msokol
It's not clear if you're still having a problem, then, but if so, then again, in order for us to be able to understand and assist, we'd need you to attach your score.
Double check the instrument list for this music. I see that some clarinets are in A. Trumpets are in C.
In reply to Double check the instrument… by bobjp
Definitely correct as Trumpets in C and clarinets in B flat per the score. My only initial miss in identifying was that a Tenor Tuba in B flat had an alternate as same spec but noted as Treble Clef which was the way the score was written. Thus two flats when in key of C. Otherwise all my instruments matched the printed score.
In reply to Definitely correct as… by msokol
I'd be interested in seeing the page from the original score that has this key change.
In reply to I'd be interested in seeing… by bobjp
See the attached image. Also, https://musescore.com/user/6543201/scores/5063369 is a link to the version mentioned by Marc as a professionally rendered copy. This link is for the Jupiter section only and there is another upload for the entire Planet piece.
In reply to See the attached image. … by msokol
The PDF score uses enharmonic keys. C#=Db, and so on.
Does the next page of the PDF have a key signature for the oboe? If so, the publisher chose to not put it where there are no notes.
Note that the PDF uses the practice of only writing accidentals in the horn part.
Note that the MuseScore version has everything in the same (concert) key. None enharmonic. Also only one harp part.
In reply to The PDF score uses… by bobjp
Yes the next page for the both the Oboe and English Horn where there there are notes are still in Key of C as the Oboe has no accidentals and the E Horn has an F sharp. However it appears that the enharmonic scales are used for the clarinets so that explains the five flats not seven sharps. Also the harps have been notated with 7 flats not 5 sharps. Not sure why because other B Major signatures are retained (strings, flutes etc.) So all I cannot explain is why the Oboe and the English horn use the same key signatures as for C Major. As for the horn parts, yes they are atonal and I set that for these instruments when there is a key change. As for showing the same notes in Musescore for the clarinet, I just do a single instrument scale change to C flat Major and 5 flats are displayed (not the seven sharps of B Major) for the transposed scales. BTW.. the editor of the version on Musescore appears to have included separate staves from many of the instruments that are common to a single stave on the printed score. For the harps, the printed score has two grand staffs for each of the harps only for these 5 measures in B Major, else Harps 1 and 2 share a stave. Otherwise the version posted by Douglas Robb uses the same key signatures as the printed score. Thanks for your comments.