Change Key of Transposing Instruments
I am writing a score with a section in B major (see attached example score: TEST_in_B_major.mscz) with transposing instruments. B major has 5 sharps. A trumpet would read in C# major (7 sharps), an alto sax in G# major (8 sharps). Obviously, using the enharmonic key signature (Db major with 5 flats for trumpet, Ab major with 4 flats for alto sax) would be easier to read.
Now: Musescore shows 4 flats for the alto sax und 7 sharps for the trumpet. Is there a way to have the trumpet line with 5 flats? If not in the score then at least in the part?
Comments
You can drag the Cb key signature (seven flats—enharmonic of B with five sharps) to the third measure of the trumpet staff while holding down [Ctrl]/[Cmd]. Then select those two measures, go to the Notes menu, and choose Respell Pitches.
In reply to You can drag the Cb key by Isaac Weiss
That did it! Thanks Zack!
In reply to That did it! Thanks Zack! by heinzochsner
You're welcome!
BTW, when this comes up, as it does periodically, I often chime in to challenge the assumption that 5 flats than 7 sharps is easier to read for a person who plays a transposing instrument. My logic is, they are *more accustomed* to seeing sharps (two or three more, on average), and *less accustomed* to seeing flats (two or three less, on average), than the rest of us. Plus I have had saxophonists tell me this. Five flats is so rare you might go a year without ever seeing it, but five sharps you will see virtually every day. I When I bring this up, though, I don't generally get specific corroboration from players of these instruments.
So I wonder - are you speaking from personal experience as a player of one or more of these instruments, or are you just assuming based on experience from other instruments? I'd still love to hear from a wider range of actual saxophonists (or other transposing instrument players).
In reply to BTW, when this comes up, as by Marc Sabatella
A very good point! This is - I believe - all a matter of experience and the style of music you are in. If you are playing in an ensemble with many concert pitch instruments (as in classical or ballroom type of music): Yes on the average you have more sharps than flats. Even more in guitar centric popular music, or when you need to adapt your score to a vocal range of a particular singer, you may encounter a real bunch of sharps. Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke" with its famous unison part including reeds and horns originally is in B major indeed. And I remember having had a chart with many sharps back in the 70ties.
This is different if the main experience is in horn and reed centric ensembles: Brass band, concert band, maybe even jazz big band. Or if the musician is not so fluent in reading charts at all, as are many jazz musicians. In these cases the mere number of accidentals counts, no matter whether they are flats or sharps. As I am writing mainly for jazz big band (currently working on a tune which does almost what my example does: from G minor to G# minor to A minor - Michael Bublé's "Feeling Good" adapted to a female singer) I'd like to present as few accidentals as possible.
In reply to A very good point! This is - by heinzochsner
From British brass band experience, I agree. 4 flats was OK, 5 was do-able but 7 sharps caught many out when forgetting to sharpen the B and E.
In reply to A very good point! This is - by heinzochsner
I'm working on that too! Oh my goodness it's the most difficult thing I've ever done. Its insane how caught up I get in arranging this song and transposing it to different instruments, particularly brass.
I've put it all together and it sounds amazing, however when I export the file into separate instruments, the key signature changes and is in the wrong keys for each instrument. If anyone can help or look over it and fix it for me oh my goodness id appreciate it so much. Unfortunately we don't have the money to pay you however.
I'm using Sibelius (not muse score) and really need the help.
Feeling Good - Michael Buble, starting in the key of C minor then C#m then D minor.
Please if you can help email me at Hasevergaming@gmail.com or Harra.allen@gmail.com
Thank You!
In reply to I'm working on that too! Oh by Harrison Allen
One thing you can do, is to export the score as music xml file inside Sibelius and attache the score here in your reply (MuseScore can't import the native format of Sibelius files, but can import xml files), so that someone can take a look, whats going wrong and maybe to correct it.