User manual

Clef Arrangement of sharps Arrangement of ats
Bass
Alto
Tenor
Key signatures are shown at the start of a piece and at the start of subsequent movements, even
if the music carries straight on and in the same key. They are positioned between clefs and time
signatures. Unlike time signatures, key signatures appear at the start of every system in full score
and part layouts, even if the key signature has not changed. They are shown on every staff that
requires the key signature, but are not shown on staves for unpitched instruments.
The correct position for key signatures is between clefs and time signatures.
If a key signature change occurs during a piece or movement, it should be placed immediately
after a barline. It is customary to have a double barline where a key signature change takes
place, which is the default setting in Dorico Elements.
Examples of key signatures positioned after double barlines
A key signature applies until the end of a movement, the end of a piece, or until a key signature
change if one occurs before the end of a movement or the end of a piece.
Types of key signatures
There are four types of key signatures in Dorico Elements, which can all be input, moved, and
deleted in the same ways.
The four types are:
● Major
● Minor
● Open key, or atonal
● No key signature (for specic instruments, such as horn or percussion)
Key signatures
Types of key signatures
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