I am composing a wind quintet. Among the instruments there are a French horn and a B-flat clarinet. The full score has no key signature. When I try to create the individual French horn part using Transposed Pitch, Dorico creates the part in the key of G major, thus inserting a sharp in the key signature. Is there a way to transpose the entire part (each single note) so as to avoid the insertion of a key signature?
Thank you for your help.
Yes. Use the Horn in F (no key sig) instrument. (or other transposition if you prefer)
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For a music with no key signature but which is not in C major (or A minor), you might prefer to enter atonal key signature in the popover. This way, all instruments will have no key signature, regardless of their transposition, and whether the layout is in transposing pitch or concert pitch.
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I had used the âHorn in Fâ in the score.
You probably picked the âF Treble Clef Transposed Pitchâ instrument (in blue). If you change it to the âF no key sigâ instrument, then it will behave the way you want â no key signature in the transposed horn part, just accidentals.
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I tried entering âatonalâ in the popover, but when I switch to Transposed Pitch, Dorico inserts a sharp in the horn in F part, on the F line, resulting in a G major key signature.
That looks like you still have a key change at the 5/4.
Note that making the whole piece in an âatonalâ key will prevent key signatures from appearing in all parts. Changing the horn instrument will only prevent key signatures in that part.
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Asherber, where can I find the menu to select âF No key sigâ?
In Setup mode, expand the player card for the horn player. Then click the 3 dot menu next to the instrument name and choose Change Instrument.
(In a new document, you would just choose this instrument when youâre adding players.)
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It works! Now I understand how to do it for all transposing instruments. Many thanks, Asherber!
Now I have the same problem with the B-flat clarinet. I tried selecting the whole part and choosing the âOpenâ key signature, but after a few bars it inserts a D major key signature. Do you have any idea how I can prevent it from inserting a key change?
Dorico doesnât have a built-in âBb clar no key sigâ instrument, but you can make the clarinet behave that way.
In Setup mode, expand the card for the clarinet player, click on the 3-dot menu next to the instrument, and choose Edit Instrument Definition. Scroll down to the Transposition section, and untick âUses key signatureâ. Hit OK. Now your clarinet instrument behaves just like the horn: all accidentals, no key signature. (Though this is a little more unusual for clarinet.)
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Thank so much. Now it works.