Inputting Independent Key Signatures in each instrument

Dorico
1

Hi,
I want to compose a piece that’s polytonal with each instrument having a different key signature. How do I input independent key signatures in Dorico Pro?

2

To input a key signature for one staff only - click on the staff at the place where you want the key-signature to appear, press shift-K to bring up the key signature popover, enter the key signature, then press alt-Enter. If you press Enter without holding down the alt key, the key signature will be applied to all staves. Alt-Enter confines it to only the staff you clicked on.

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3

Exactly as Steven says, just make sure that the thing you select before opening the key signatures popover is something that only belongs to one staff – if you select e.g. a barline that spans multiple staves, it won’t be possible to input a staff-specific key signature because Dorico won’t know which staff it should go on.

Selecting a note, rest, dynamic etc should all work as they are staff-attached.

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4

Is there a way to assing microtonal key signature via popover?
Or in general how can I assign microtonal “key” to only one instrument?

5
  1. I think custom key sigs must be assigned from the panel, because there is no mechanism for encoding them for the popover.
  2. As with meters, you can Alt-click a key sig in the panel to assign it to one staff.
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6

Hi , im quite new to dorico.i am trying to inputting independent key signature in every system by pressing opinion (on mac) before clicking, but the thing is im getting the same key signature in every system…any tip

Thanks leslie

7

Hold down option while clicking.

Jesper

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8

Unfortunately for some reason is not working…
Thanks for your help!

Leslie

9

Have you tried using the popover (eg shift-k E opt-enter)?

10

Hmm … no I didn’t, i try it later .so you mean , shift k + option at the same time and then enter?
Thanks

11

No, shift-k opens the key signature popover. Type into the box the key you want (eg E for E major, d for D minor, It’s upper case for major keys and lower case for minor keys) . Then close the popover using the opt-enter key combination (hold down option and press enter)

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12

Oh ok got it! I give it a try then.
Thanks janus!

13

<opt>click copies the selected item. To get an Independent Key Sig, you must first create one with <opt><enter>. Then, with that one selected you can <opt>click to copy it elsewhere.

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