Writing Key Signatures

Do you write key signatures in your score? I have the score for 'Across the Stars' by John Williams, and he shows no key signature, even though he obviously begins in D minor and moves freely between keys throughout the piece. So I want to know what you do, and why you do it. Thanks.

Colin Thomson

I don't use a key signature.

I'm often dealing with unrelated modes and keys; key signatures are unwieldy, and constricting.

But of course I use key signatures. It reduces the number of accidentals I have to write, since I tend to stay within a key or keys. Sometimes I switch them back and forth within a few bars, just because I don't want to write accidentals.

I use key signatures, it saves a lot of trouble, especially since I write maily in one key.

I definitely use key signatures. I also like to invent my own.

Originally Posted by Mitchell

I also like to invent my own.

Yeah, like having Bb, Ab, and Gb in a key signature.

Originally Posted by Mitchell

Yeah, like having Bb, Ab, and Gb in a key signature.

Your musicians will hate that.

Well, I've only done it once, but the feeling of being such a rebel was good.
It was for strings, I'd never do it for transposing instruments though.

I also like to invent my own.

So do I. I once wrote a piece in C double-sharp minor. That was a fun assignment.