Key Signatures?

[MaestroX]

I had it that way round in the first place. Edited back

[Ron Ofir]

So I made you edit to a wrong answer? Oops... But, you do need to play D if you want C. Then again, I didn't look at what you edited after you read my response. Bah, this is all too confusing...

[TheSorrowsPain]

Thanks for all your help. I got the key signatures down. From here, it's just a matter of getting everything to go the way I want to present it. Thanks again.

Peace,

C. Winston

[Stenir]

Here's a quick chart to make it easy (and I did it in Courier so it lines up):


C Instruments (non-transposing)
===============================
Piccolo (but sounds an octave higher than written)
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
Trombone
Baritone/Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass (sounds an octave lower than written)


Bb Instruments (transpose down a major second when played)
================================================== ========
Clarinet
Tenor Saxophone (sounds an octave lower than written)
Trumpet
Cornet
Baritone (when in treble clef, sounds an octave lower than written)


Eb Instruments (transpose down a major sixth, or up a major third)
=================================================
Clarinet (sounds up a 3rd)
Alto Clarinet (sounds down a 6th)
Alto Saxophone (sounds down a 6th)
Baritone Saxophone (sounds down a 6th, plus an octave lower)


F Instruments (transpose down a major fourth)
=============================================
English Horn
French Horn


There are many more, especially if you go into the realm of classical music, where there are E, D, etc. based instruments. Those get messy, so I've stuck to just the main four used in concert/symphonic band instrumentation.


Here's the chart for what each instrument (based on their transposition) has to play:


C Instr.____Bb Instr.____Eb Instr.____F Instr.
==============================================
C___________D____________A____________G
C#/Db_______D#/Eb________A#/Bb________G#/Ab
D___________E____________B____________A
D#/Eb_______F____________C____________A#/Bb
E___________F#/Gb________C#/Db________B
F___________G____________D____________C
F#/Gb_______G#/Ab________D#/Eb________C#/Db
G___________A____________E____________D
G#/Ab_______A#/Bb________F____________D#/Eb
A___________B____________F#/Gb________E
A#/Bb_______C____________G____________F
B___________C#/Db________G#/Ab________F#/Gb


This doesn't just apply to the notes, but also to the key signatures as well. If you wrote something in G major (1 #), look for G in the C column, and then you'll find that Bb instruments would be in A (3 #s), the Eb instruments would be in E (4 #s), and the F instruments would be in D (2 #s). I included both enharmonic names to be as complete as possible. Remember that certain parts may be written the same but sound an octave up or down (Tenor Saxophone may have the C above middle C in the third space written so it's a Bb concert pitch, but it sounds an octave lower, i.e., the Bb immediately below middle C).

Hopefully, this gives a visual that will help everyone.

[stevel]

Originally Posted by TheSorrowsPain

Hello,

As a beginner in music composition, what would you guys recommend be the most suitable key signatures for instruments in wind ensemble from the list of instruments below. I'm currently trying to create a composition, but can't seem to decide on a key signature.

C. Winston

C-Man:

I think you're making more out of this than you need to though. Why don't you look at some music by other composers, and see what they used!

Everyone's posted good responses but there's not really such a thing as "bad keys" for most instruments. I had been told in the past that Wind instruments (since many of them are Bb and Eb transpositions) like playing in Flat keys, and String players like playing in Sharp keys. A Sax player told me though, this is not really true. And there are obviously hundreds if not thousands of works for strings in flat keys.

having said that though, I noticed when I used to be in wind ensemble (no strings) that a great deal of pieces where in 3, 4, or 5 flat key signatures.

Now, guitar players don't like flat keys, but we're lazy :-)

I would say, write your piece in the more common keys - 4 sharps or flats and under. C, G, D, or F or Bb. I mean, there may be a difference on overall sound if you write in Ab rather than Bb due to the instrument's natural registral characteristics, but without a side-by-side comparison no one's going to be the wiser.

Plus, with today's software, you could make multiple versions at the click of a button!

best,
Steve

[TheSorrowsPain]

Thank you so much, everyone. I'll be asking more questions when I need the help. I would like to give a special thanks to Stenir for the amazing amount of help. That chart really helped. Thanks again.

Peace,

C. Winston

[Amythe]

Key signatures for professional musicians, though, shouldn't normally be a problem, as most of the common key signatures (C, F, G, Bb, and D) are played easily. I remember when I was in band in middle school, I was more accustumed to playing something in C major (Which had the F#), than Eb, which would obviously have no sharps or flats.

[stevel]

Originally Posted by Amythe

Key signatures for professional musicians, though, shouldn't normally be a problem, as most of the common key signatures (C, F, G, Bb, and D) are played easily. I remember when I was in band in middle school, I was more accustumed to playing something in C major (Which had the F#), than Eb, which would obviously have no sharps or flats.

What?

C Major has no F#. That's G Major or e minor.

Eb has no sharps or flats? If then name of the key is E "FLAT" it must at least have one flat, the E !

Methinks you don't know your key signatures, or there are some serious typos/grammatical issues in the previous statment!

Steve

[Thorolf]

^ Nah, he just refers to his own Eb parts…

In a concert C score, the Eb part indeed has F#, and the Eb score yields none for the Alto Sax…

Regards

[Amythe]

Haha, thanks Thorolf, should have mentioned I played the Alto Sax. Haha~