Topic #29: Keys and transposition in MuseScore

In this MuseTube lesson, we explore one of the most comprehensive and fascinating topics in MuseScore: key signatures, tonality, and transposition. You’ll learn how to insert and modify key signatures, create custom ones, understand the difference between transposing and non-transposing instruments, use octave lines, handle enharmonic spelling, and transpose your score effectively using built-in tools.

🎼 How to insert and modify key signatures

From the “Key Signatures” palette, you can add, change, or remove the key at any measure. Just click or drag a key signature to apply it. The initial key cannot be deleted, but you can change it to C major or A minor to remove accidentals.

📍 Courtesy key signatures

If a key change happens at a system break, MuseScore displays a courtesy key signature at the end of the previous system. You can enable or disable this in “Format > Style > Page”, or from the “Properties” panel of the changed key.

🎯 Local key signatures

To apply a key change to only one staff, hold Ctrl while dragging the signature. This is useful when each hand of a piano or each instrument in an ensemble needs an independent key.

🔧 Creating custom key signatures

Click “More” in the Key Signatures palette to open the editor. You can build any combination of sharps, flats, or even double accidentals in any position. Once saved, the custom key becomes available for use like any other.

🧩 Using naturals to cancel previous keys

When switching between keys, MuseScore may insert natural signs (“♮”) to cancel the previous key. This can be configured in “Format > Style > Accidentals”, including whether they appear before or after the clef, or only when changing to C major or A minor.

🎺 Transposing instruments

Some instruments, like the trumpet, are transposing instruments, meaning the written note differs from the sounding pitch. MuseScore handles this automatically and you can check or modify the transposition in “Staff/Part Properties”.

🎹 Concert pitch view

Enable the “Concert Pitch” option (lower right corner) to view all instruments in the same key. This simplifies composition and makes reading scores with transposing instruments easier. Disabling it reverts each part to its transposed key.

📈 Transposing notes and chords

From “Tools > Transpose”, you can shift notes and chords by:

• Semitones: Use arrow keys ↑/↓ or the transpose dialog
• Interval: Choose options like perfect fifth, minor third, etc.
• Diatonic steps: Ignore accidentals and move by scale degree

You can also decide whether to transpose chord symbols and whether to update the key signature or keep it as is.

🪄 Octave lines

Use “8va” lines from the “Lines” palette to shift a section an octave up or down without changing the actual notes. This improves readability, especially for very high or low passages.

♯♭ Enharmonic spelling and rewriting pitches

Press J to toggle between sharp and flat spellings (e.g., F♯ ↔ G♭). Use “Tools > Respell Pitches” to automatically adjust enharmonics based on the current key signature, resulting in more logical and readable notation.