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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I must say that, as an alto sax player, I prefer sharps to flats in my notation. I generally add three sharps to every key signature and play away. I would expect then, that the key of A would transpose to F#, and E would transpose to C#; or, 3# to 6#, and 4# to 7#, respectively. In the notation options, however, there seems to be no way to make this happen. Instead, I end up with flats every time. In fact, I noticed that I can end up with 5b or 6b with accidentals thrown in! Forcing accidentals to match the chords don't matter in this instance.
Is this a wishlist item, or am I missing something?
Joel
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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One sharp is G 2 is D, 3 is E, etc.? I'm missing something.
Using the P icon I choose my instrument (Bflat usually) and then if the key is not what I want I go fishing. But I know by experience what I'm going to get if I pick C it will be in D etc.
So what again is the problem. If you see 3 flats but want something close is that not the purpose of band in a box?
I still guess I'm missing something. Probably is translation from Virginian to Canadian.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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One reason would be that it's easier to read 5 flats than 7 sharps. Later, Ray
Last edited by raymb1; 10/28/11 03:10 PM.
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi Joel,
From what I can determine, what you describe seems to be the way that BIAB interprets keys that are enharmonic equivalents.
I've just had a play around with BIAB. I took a song that I'd written in E major and when in Notation Mode, I set Opt | Transpose options to "Alto sax +9". The resulting display appeared in Db major and I could find no way to change that to the enharmonic key of C# major.
From a music theory perspective, the keys of Gb and F# majors cover exactly the same notes. The only difference is that one does it with six flats while the other does it with six sharps. Since these keys have the same number of essentials, from a reading point of view, they're arguably equally challenging.
On the other hand, Db major has five flats while its enharmonic key of C# major has seven sharps. Because of this difference in essentials, there is a musical argument that a number of people would find five flats easier to read than seven sharps.
I'd imagine that you're aware of all the above. The reason I mention it, though, is because maybe PG Music has thought along similar lines when writing the transposing routine for their suite of programs.
I suggest that you add to the BIAB Wishlist forum and suggest that the instrumental transpose has the option to choose whether it displays a key signature in sharps or flats for those few keys that have enharmonic equivalents. For reference, there are 3 pairs of enharmonic keys: F#/Gb, C#/Db and B/Cb.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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A closely related issue was discussed about two months ago. I'll see if I can find the thread. It also added the discussion of B#, Cb, E# and Fb, chords not presently available in BIAB.
I do prefer reading fewer accidentals, and that is the case here for BIAB. It's only F# versus Gb where there is a coin flip, since each is six accidentals. Still, it would be nice to have a choice. I know a few players who just don't like playing in multiple flats. They might actually choose seven sharps over five flats.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
...They might actually choose seven sharps over five flats.
That's it! I know it sounds crazy, but I think that it is a mental exercise more than anything else. Since Alto Sax has a 3# (+9) shift, I think in terms of "up," not "down" in key. I would assume that a Bb instrument player would think "down" in key, not "up"; consequently, a trumpet player would be more comfortable with flats. Weird as it may seem, seven sharps is more "comfortable" to me than five flats.
Minor point, certainly, but this is certainly a feature that would be nice to have in the notation options, if nothing other for practicing purposes.
Thanks for a great product, PG Music!
Joel
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I play both, and your thinking is not weird at all.
Put an entry in the Wishlist.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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I second that! It would be great to have the option.
Incidentally, I also prefer reading in C# rather than Db.
Mike Laatz
Cape Town
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