Deleting key signatures

You can delete key signatures without affecting the pitches of notes. Where appropriate, pitches are shown with accidentals after you have deleted a key signature.

Note

You cannot hide key signatures as they provide crucial information about the pitch of notes. If you do not want to see a key signature, you can input an open key signature or delete all key signatures from the flow or project.

Tip

Instruments that do not usually have key signatures, such as timpani or horn, have a No key sig version in Dorico which ensures no key signature is shown for those instruments. You can select No key sig versions of instruments when adding/changing instruments in Setup mode.

Procedure

  1. In Write mode, select any of the following that you want to delete:

    • Key signatures

    • Key signature signposts of key signatures with no accidentals in the current layout

  2. Delete the key signatures in any of the following ways:

    • Press Backspace or Delete.

    • Choose Edit > Delete. You can also choose this option from the context menu.

Result

The selected key signatures are deleted from the score. The pitches of notes in the bars following the deleted key signatures are not changed, but the notes are shown with accidentals if the deleted key signature indicated an accidental for them, up until the next existing key signature or the end of the flow.

Note

If you delete the only key signature in the flow, your music appears without a key signature, with accidentals shown as necessary. This is treated as if there were an open key signature rather than a key signature of A minor or C major.