Quote:
Originally Posted by theOmaster
This leads me to conclude that woodwinds and brass instruments like flats more than strings for more reasons than just habit. The instruments are made to sound good in those keys.
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Another reason is that in sharp keys, clarinets, trumpets and saxophones will end up with a lot of sharps (unless you use clarinets in A). You'll find that most band music is written in a flat key and many arrangements for band have been transposed into a flat key. E.g. Shostakovich's festive overture, which is in A major for orchestra, but for band is in Ab (I think). If it was in A major the Alto and Baritone saxophones would be in F# major and the clarinets and trumpets would be in B which would limit the number of ensembles who could play it. Most professional wind players will be able to play in these keys but don't expect an amateur or youth group to be able to play in them.
But, as J. Lee said, generally it's best just write it in the key you hear it in your head. But be wary of writing fast passages in sharp keys for non-professional wind players.