Key Signatures?

[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.

Parts:

Flute
Oboe
Bb Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Eb Alto Saxophone
Bb Tenor Saxophone
Eb Baritone Saxophone
Bb Trumpet
F Horn
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Mallet Percussion
Timpani

It would really help because I'm currently just basing each one off Ab Major, Eb Major, Bb Major, and F Major.

Peace,

C. Winston

[Thorolf]

A general rule of thumb for concert bands is to avoid key signatures yielding more than 3 (or 4) accidentials for any instrument. This means that you can safely add C major (and corresponding minor keys) but not much more.

If you write music that modulates a lot, you can do as the film music composer John Williams often do, and drop key signatures altogether, which may add clarity both for the conductor and the musicians.



Regards

[TheSorrowsPain]

That actually helps, thanks. The only reason I wanted key signatures was because I tought it would seem more professional with just having key signatures rather tahn putting in a lot of flats and sharps in each measure. Thanks a lot.

Peace,

C. Winston

[MaestroX]

If I may also add that in general flat instruments play easiest in flat keys as they almost always transpose to an easier key.

For example if the piece was written in Db the Bb clarinet will be playing in Eb, a much safer key

[TheSorrowsPain]

Maestro,

Could you elaborate? How do you know this? I mean how do you go about knowing that if a certain key signature is suitable for a certain instrument? That is what I'm trying to figure out.

Peace,

C. Winston

[MaestroX]

Sure thing, I'll use the Bb clarinet as an example.

The Bb Clarinet is a transposing intrument. This means the instrument sounds different than it is written. With the Bb clarinet, it sounds a tone lower than written so when a clarinet plays middle C it will sound as a Bb. When the part is written out the key signature is also transposed so C major becomes D major.

So to put this into context a piece of music is in C, the clarinet's part will be in D.

With this in mind, if we write our music in Db major, the clarinets will have an easier time than the flutes (none transposing instrument) as they will be playing in Eb major.

Hope this helps

[TheSorrowsPain]

That helps a lot thanks!

[Ron Ofir]

I thought that when a Bb clarinet plays a C, it sounds as if it is playing Bb, so that in order to play C, it would play D and not the other way around.

[MaestroX]

Whoops i've got it the wrong way round, earlier post edited

These things get confusing as when your reading a score its the other way round to when your writing it.

Thanks

[Thorolf]

Originally Posted by MaestroX

With the Bb clarinet, it sounds a tone higher than written…

The other way around: It is written a tone higher than it sounds

Originally Posted by MaestroX

When the part is written out the key signature is also transposed so C major becomes Bb major.

No, for a concert pitch of C major, the part becomes D major.

Originally Posted by MaestroX

So to put this into context a piece of music is in C, the clarinet's part will be in Bb.

No, in D major!

Originally Posted by MaestroX

With this in mind, if we write our music in Db major, the clarinets will have an easier time than the flutes (none transposing instrument) as they will be playing in Eb major.

By itself, this part is right

Regards