Transposing to the Key of an Instrument |
Composer handles two kinds of transpositions. This topic describes how to change the key in which pitches are notated, in order to match the key of a transposing instrument, without changing the actual as-performed (heard) pitches. If you want to change the actual as-performed pitches, then see Transposing Actual Pitches. You can switch at any time between showing the conductor score or selected parts in either concert (actual as-heard) pitches or transposed pitches. In addition to transposing parts, you can independently change key signatures and clefs anywhere within any staff. When Composer transposes instrument key, it also transposes the pitches of chord names for the separately viewed or printed instrument part. It does this if, but only if: (1) the part has only one staff for the transposing instrument, or (2) all of the staves in the part have the same instrument transposition. For more information, see Transposing Chord Names. Note that transposing to an instrument key does not affect the pitch of displayed chord names. Chord names almost always are read only by non-transposing instruments, such as the piano, guitar, and autoharp. Therefore, this is not a significant limitation. The reason that Composer does not transpose chord names for instrument transpositions has to do with the complications of ambiguous enharmonic spellings. To review and change whether the score is currently notated in concert pitch or transposed pitch:
To change the transposition of a staff (instrument part):
-- OR -- Type "qti" for Quick Transpose Instrument. Composer will display Step 1 of a two-step Transposition Wizard: The first step of this two-step wizard is intended to help you make sure that you understand the distinction between the two types of transposition, and have chosen the correct type.
Composer will display Step 2 of the Transposition Wizard:
Composer will display a list of orchestra and band instruments that you can select from, as illustrated below:
Composer will pre-select one of the instrument types based on the staff name, but it might make a wrong guess. Confirm or change the instrument type. Then hit the OK button. Composer will then automatically set the values for "Note read as 'C' actually sounds as."
To automatically set the instrument transpositions for all of the staves:
Composer will examine each of the staff names to guess the type of instrument, and will accordingly assign the transposition for each staff. Using the Look Up All Instrument Transposition option is equivalent to accepting the pre-selected Look Up instrument type for each staff
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