> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://handbook.musescore.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/notation/key-signatures.md). # Key signatures Standard **key signatures** are available in the Key Signatures [palette](/3/basics/palettes.md) in the Basic or Advanced workspaces. It is also possible to create [custom key signatures](#custom-key-signatures) (below).
Key Signatures palette (Advanced workspace)
Note that key signatures are always defined relative to concert pitch. If you are adding a key signature to a staff for a transposing instrument you should add the relevant *concert pitch* key signature. The correctly transposed key signature will show on the staff (unless you are viewing in concert pitch mode). ## Add a new key signature ### Add new key signature to *all* staves Use any of the following methods: * Select a measure and click a key signature in the palette (double-click in versions prior to 3.4). * Select a note or rest and click a key signature in a palette (double-click in versions prior to 3.4). * Drag a key signature from the palette onto an empty part of a measure or a note or rest. ### Add new key signature to *one* staff only If you wish to change the key signature of only *one* staff line, leaving others unchanged: * Press Ctrl (Mac: Cmd) and hold while you drag a key signature from a palette onto a measure. ## Replace an existing key signature ### Replace key signature for *all* staves Use any of the following methods: * Select the key signature to be replaced, and click a new key signature in a palette (double-click in versions prior to 3.4). * Drag a key signature from the palette onto the key signature to be replaced (or onto the measure containing the key signature). ### Replace key signature for *one* staff only If you wish to replace the key signature of only one staff, leaving others unchanged: * Press Ctrl (Mac: Cmd) and hold while you drag a key signature from a palette onto the key signature to be replaced (or onto the measure containing the key signature). ## Remove a key signature Use any of the following methods: * Click on an existing key signature and press Del. * Drag the empty key signature ("open/atonal") from the palette (in the advanced workspace) onto the measure. ## Naturals on key signature changes By default, MuseScore only shows cancelling naturals when the key signature changes to that of C Major/A minor (no sharps or flats). In all other cases, it simply shows the new key signature without cancellations:
Default key signature changes
However, you can opt to display cancelling naturals for *all* key signature changes: 1. From the menu, select **Format -> Style... -> Accidentals**. You'll see the options:
Dialog: Format / Style... / Accidentals
2. Select one of the three options. 3. If you are in a [part](/3/advanced-topics/parts.md) and want the new option to apply to *all* parts, click on **Apply to all parts**. 4. Click **OK** to exit. For example, selecting the option "**Before key signature if changing to fewer ♯ or ♭**" gives:
Naturals before key signature
And the option "**After key signature if changing to fewer ♯ or ♭. Before if changing between ♯ and ♭**" gives:
Naturals before and after key signature
## Key signature changes and multimeasure rests [Multimeasure rests](/3/notation/measure-rests.md#multimeasure-rest) are interrupted if there is change of key signature:
Example with multimeasure rests
## Courtesy key signatures To turn off the display of a *particular* courtesy key signature: * Select the relevant key signature and untick "Show courtesy" in the "Key Signature" section of the [Inspector](/3/basics/inspector.md). To turn off the display of *all* courtesy key signatures: * From the menu, select **Format -> Style... -> Page**, and untick "Create courtesy key signatures." **Note**: Courtesy key signatures are not displayed at [section breaks](/3/formatting/breaks-and-spacers.md#section-break). ## Custom key signatures To create a custom key signature: 1. Press Shift+K to display the **Key signatures** section of the [Master palette](/3/advanced-topics/master-palette.md).
Master Palette: Key signatures
2. In the **Create Key signature** panel, drag accidentals from the palette onto the staff above to create the desired key signature. **Note**: The treble clef is only decorative—custom key signatures for any type of staff can be created here. 3. Use the **Clear** button, if required, to remove all accidentals from the "staff." 4. To move the new key signature into the library (center panel), press **Add**. To delete a key signature from the library, right-click it (Mac: Ctrl-click) and, in the drop-down menu, select **Delete**. **Note**: A limitation of custom key signatures is that they cannot be [transposed](/3/notation/transposition.md) in the usual way. If a transposition is needed, or where there is a clef change, you will need to create a new custom key signature. To move a key signature from the Master palette to a [custom palette](https://musescore.org/en/handbook/3/custom-palettes): * Drag and drop the key signature onto a palette. To apply a key signature to the score directly from the Master palette, use one of the following methods: * Select a measure and click a key signature in the Master palette (double-click in versions prior to 3.4). * Drag a key signature from the Master palette onto a measure; alternatively, *to apply to one staff only*, hold Ctrl (Mac: Cmd) while dragging. ## External links * [How to change enharmonic key signatures for transposing instruments](https://musescore.org/en/node/260491) (MuseScore HowTo, video) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://handbook.musescore.org/3/notation/key-signatures.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.