Key signature change

Dorico
1

Key.dorico (1.7 MB)

key2
key2648×840 28.5 KB

1.Shouldn’t the instrument name at the indicated spot be listed as “Cl in La”? What should I do? Do I need to change the instrument, or can I fix this by adding a key signature?

2. In Socre, the clarinet shows “A2,” but for certain instruments, even though the note is the same, “A2” doesn’t appear. How can I fix this?

2

Yes. If you want to see a different transposition then you need an instrument with that transposition. After all, the pitch of the instrument isn’t changing, only the key of the music.

(And a bonus: the instrument change label will display automatically!)

Seeing as though a2 is displaying correctly in this project (which means your settings are probably correct), we can’t really answer this question without seeing that part of the score.

PS Thanks for uploading your project!

3

Should I add an instrument in Step 1? Or should I use transposition?

4

Yes, add the instrument in Step 1.

I’m not sure what you mean?

To the best of my knowledge, you can’t change the transposition of an instrument mid-score: if it’s a Clarinet in C then it’s always a Clarinet in C.

5

1.If I split the flow, can I make changes in the middle? Do I have to add instruments from the very beginning?

Is this how I do it?

key3
key31308×1204 76.2 KB

2.The a2 is not marked on the clarinet.

a2a2
a2a23036×996 234 KB

Condense a2.dorico (1.6 MB)

6

That’s because your clarinettists are section players instead of individual players.

Here is a way to fix this:

Condense a2.dorico (1,6 Mo)

7

Thank you for your reply.

Does this mean that if the key signature changes three times in the middle of a score, I should use the ‘Add Instrument’ function to create three instrument changes for a single instrument?

For example, if it were in Do, in La or in Sib

8

I’m not sure I understand perfectly. Clarinets (whatever key) are chromatic instruments, so you don’t need to take another instrument when there is a key signature change! That was only true for old brass diatonic instruments.

In other words: a Bb clarinet can play in Bb, in C, in A…

Of course some key signatures are easier with an A cl. than with a Bb one (and the sound is not exactly the same), so you can change if you want, but it’s not compulsory.

9

transpose
transpose419×457 18.9 KB

Is this the right way to add it?

10

Yes it is, if you want instrument changes. And if you want them to condense properly, tick this Layout Option:

Capture d'écran 2026-04-20 081938
Capture d'écran 2026-04-20 0819381822×1085 72.1 KB

11

Yes, thanks.

sib
sib1152×1004 96.6 KB

1.How do I type the flat symbol for ‘b’ here?

2. In the following situation, should I select the C clarinet and then add a key signature?

Even if the instrument changes, is it correct to include a separate key signature if it’s different?

CC
CC367×154 11.7 KB

12

You can use the Unicode 266D and apply the Music Text character style to it.

You never have to add a different Key Signature for transposing instruments. It shows up automatically if your score is in Transposed Pitch.

image
image280×102 5.4 KB

14

Thanks. @charles_piano @DanielMuzMurray

Basically, should I just enter the notes in Transposed Pitch mode?

15

If you are copying a score, it is much easier to enter the music as it is in the source (transposed), if you don’t want to transpose on the fly just to exercise your transposing skills. So: yes.

16

You don’t necessarily need to edit the instrument name to put the transposition on the line below. You have options :slight_smile: