You can now save time setting up your score in Finale by creating keyless scores without having to change transposition manually. In older versions of Finale, each instrument had to be manually set to a chromatic transposition. This time-consuming process is now unnecessary due to Keyless key signatures. You can also hide a key signature while continuing to display the corresponding accidentals using the Hide Key Signature and Show All Accidentals option. These two methods are ideal for several situations, including:
- Atonal or tonal pieces where accidentals are preferred
- Switching between keyless and keyed sections
- Older notation conventions (no key signatures for Horn in F, Timpani, Trumpet, Mallet Percussion, etc.)
In a region of measures set to Keyless, accidentals follow rules chosen in Enharmonic Spelling; if Use Spelling Tables is selected, the keyless region acts as if it were in C major. Transposed instruments still follow their usual enharmonic behavior, and when viewing in concert pitch, accidentals appear in transposed instruments as usual. Notes copied to or from a region with a keyless key signature do not transpose.
Also, a keyless key signature or a key signature with Hide Key Signature and Show All Accidentals checked can be assigned to a Metatool like other key signatures; see Metatools.
Note that in keyless scores, chord symbols in transposed parts are transposed as if the score is in C major. Also, transposing instruments in keyless scores or passages will display their usual transposing key signatures when saved as a Finale 2012 file.
The introduction of keyless scores also makes it easier than ever to convert your Sibelius documents to Finale.
Tip: Keep in mind that choosing a keyless key signature has no effect on transpositions, whereas choosing Hide Key Signature and Show All Accidentals still treats the region as having a key signature.
To create a new document without a key signature
- Choose File > New > Document with Setup Wizard.
- Select an Ensemble, Document Style, and instruments.
- Enter the score information.
- Next to Select a Concert Key Signature, choose Keyless from the list.
To create a document with a hidden key signature
- Choose File > New > Document with Setup Wizard.
- Select an Ensemble, Document Style, and instruments.
- Enter the score information.
- Choose a major or minor key signature. Check Hide Key Signature and Show All Accidentals.
Tip: This differs from hiding the key signature with the Measure tool by continuing to display accidentals according to the hidden key signature. See Hiding the time signature in a measure to hide both the key signature and accidentals.
To hide key signatures and show all accidentals for an instrument in an existing score
- Open your document in Finale.
- Choose Window > Score Manager.
- Click the Instrument List tab.
- Click the drag icon
to select the desired instrument. - Beneath the Transposition list, check Hide Key Signature & Show Accidentals.
Tip: Checking this option overrides any regions in that instrument that have the Hide Key Signature & Show Accidentals option checked or unchecked.
To change a key signature to keyless for a region
- Choose the Key Signature tool
, and double-click the measure where the key will change. The Key Signature dialog box appears. - Choose Keyless from the list on the right.
- Using the Measure ___ Through ___ (or Through End of Piece or To Next Key Change) text boxes, specify the range of measures you want to be affected by the key signature.
- Click OK (or press
Tip: Because keyless regions do not transpose, the transposition options are not available when Keyless is selected. When changing a keyed region to keyless (or vice versa), no transposition occurs.
To hide key signatures for a region and show all accidentals
- Choose the Key Signature tool , and double-click the measure where the key will be hidden. The Key Signature dialog box appears.
- Check Hide Key Signature and Show All Accidentals.
- Using the Measure ___ Through ___ (or Through End of Piece or To Next Key Change) text boxes, specify the range of measures you want to be affected by the key signature.
- Click OK (or press
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