Keys in Transposed parts

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SMS
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Post by SMS » Sun Oct 10, 2021 10:27 pm

I have a leadsheet for tune in Ab that modulates to E for the bridge. In the Bb part (which is just a duplicate of the single staff in the score, with an independent transposition), these keys of course become Bb and F#. Is there a way to make the bridge appear in Gb instead? When I use the key signature tool on the transposed part, it's assuming I'm changing the key of the score, so I'd have to enter the key (disallowed) as Fb.

I'm assuming I'll have to make another staff to do this, just checking.
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karlkaminski
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Post by karlkaminski » Mon Oct 11, 2021 1:18 am

HI
yeah, that one falls in the unfortunate cracks —"no Fb for You!":D

You can isolate the section of the transposed score (Staff Attributes/Select Independent Key)
For the Fb, two options are...

1. use the 'keyless' option (in which you'll need to add all accidental thru that passage
2. Or the 'Non-standard' option— in which you'll enter flats a numeral values in a dialogue box to 'create' an Fb key
Screen Shot 2021-10-10 at 9.11.49 PM.jpg

Depending on the piece and the instrument it may 'read' better as keyless?

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Peter Thomsen
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Post by Peter Thomsen » Mon Oct 11, 2021 4:28 am

SMS wrote:
Sun Oct 10, 2021 10:27 pm
I have a leadsheet for tune in Ab that modulates to E for the bridge. In the Bb part (which is just a duplicate of the single staff in the score, with an independent transposition), these keys of course become Bb and F#. Is there a way to make the bridge appear in Gb instead? …
I would use a custom staff style on the Bb part in the bridge, to change the Staff Transposition - in the bridge - to A# Transposition (only in the bridge, obviously).
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Ian Stewart
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Post by Ian Stewart » Mon Oct 11, 2021 7:30 am

Although you did not ask this, some players prefer reading in sharp keys rather than flat keys - six sharps as opposed to six flats. Certainly saxophone players prefer sharp keys and probably trumpet players as well.
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motet
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Post by motet » Mon Oct 11, 2021 3:06 pm

If you check "Simplify key" in Peter's instructions above, I believe you can use that transposition for the entire piece--it will only differ from B-flat transposition in the case of six sharps/flats.

karlkaminski
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Post by karlkaminski » Mon Oct 11, 2021 4:03 pm

wow thanks guys! the Staff style method is a much better way!
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ebiggs1
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Post by ebiggs1 » Mon Oct 11, 2021 4:25 pm

... players prefer reading in sharp keys rather than flat keys ...
I agree with that but in your case I do prefer the flat key sig. Much more readable.
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motet
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Post by motet » Mon Oct 11, 2021 4:32 pm

If there's a secondary dominant, in six sharps that might result in B-sharp or some other double sharp, whereas in six flats it would be naturals, so perhaps it's better for that reason.

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