Ability to switch to enharmonic key signature for transposing parts
Currently, when concert pitch is B major, the behavior is as follows:
- Bb instruments display key signature as Ab major, but any notes and chords end up being written in G# major.
- Eb instruments display key signature and notes in C# major.
I think it makes sense to allow for enharmonic spelling of notes / key signatures via some kind of toggle, because many people find Ab major and Db major easier to read.
When concert pitch is E major, Bb instruments are in C# major and Eb instruments are in F# major. Would be nicer to use Db major and Gb major.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| MuseScore Key Signature B major-1.png | 370.76 KB |
| MuseScore Key Signature E major-1.png | 339.66 KB |
Comments
There are feature requests for this. #39176: Option to convert transposed instrument key signatures into enharmonic equivalent when number of accidentals exceeds limit is probably the most relevant, thought there might be a better one.
In reply to There are feature requests… by mike320
Gb and F# have the same number of accidentals, so both would have the same "limit". Would love to be able to pick a preference between the two depending on the instrument as well.
It is giving you the proper key signature for the transposition. If you want something else change the transposition. Go to staff properties and change the transposition. For Bb instruments change from major second to diminished third. This makes it in A#. For Eb change minor third to augmented third or major sixth to diminished sixth. This makes it in D#. Because A# is the enharmonic equivalent of Bb, this should work fine. You may also need to use local key signatures. To do this hold control as you add a key signature. You can also use local key signatures without editing the transposition. Simply select the whole staff (click on first note, shift click on last) and press down then up.
In reply to It is giving you the proper… by ♪𝔔𝔲𝔞𝔳𝔢𝔯 ℭ𝔯𝔞𝔣𝔱𝔢𝔯♪
I developed https://musescore.org/en/node/260491 as a method that always works for changing to the enharmonic key. It does require a little knowledge of transposed key signatures for the instrument involved.
I have suggested that each staff have an option box that says "Prefer sharps" or "Prefer flats", this could either be a dropdown or radio buttons. This would make the key signatures have the appropriate accidentals if there is a choice between the two as in the examples in this thread. It would not give the key signature of G# major since MuseScore does not support double sharps in the key signature.
Note: I added #288495: Allow user to select flats or sharps for enharmonic key signatures as a feature request. I guess in the past I had only proposed it in forum discussions.
It would be very useful to me if chordnames were able to do this. For example, C# minor to Db minor.