User manual

Key signatures are the markings that show the current key of music by indicating which notes in
the scale for that key are sharpened or attened. They are shown at the start of each system on
every applicable staff.
Using key signatures saves space, as by indicating which notes are generally going to be sharp or
at in the music in one group at the start of each system, these notes do not need an accidental
beside them every time they occur.
By default, key signatures apply to the whole score. However, there are certain situations where
some parts require their own key signature, independently of the rest of the ensemble. You can
input key signatures that apply to all staves or only apply to single staves in Dorico Elements.
Traditionally, accidentals are organized following the pattern of the circle of fths, which is
different for sharp keys and at keys.
In Dorico Elements, key signatures exist within the overarching tonality system for your project.
The only tonality system in Dorico Elements is 12-EDO.
RELATED LINKS
General placement conventions for key signatures on page 469
Tonality systems on page 471
Input methods for key signatures on page 167
General placement conventions for key signatures
Dorico Elements automatically follows conventions for the placement and appearance of key
signatures, such as showing accidentals in the accepted circle of fths order and positioning key
signatures between clefs and time signatures.
The order in which accidentals are shown in key signatures is different for sharp keys and at
keys.
● For sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯, B♯
● For ats: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭, F♭
Accidentals are arranged automatically in these orders in Dorico Elements for all standard
Western key signatures. There is an accepted pattern for the placement of accidentals in a key
signature, so that they t inside the staff according to the current clef. The pattern of accidentals
is the same in all clefs, apart from the tenor clef, which requires sharp key signatures to follow a
different, ascending pattern to ensure the accidentals t on the staff.
Clef Arrangement of sharps Arrangement of ats
Treble
Key signatures
469