Notation Conventions

[Timtin]

Hi Brian,

Thank you for amplifying on Fred's answer.

Having shown my ignorance on accidentals, I may as well go the
whole hog and show it regarding wind instrument key signatures.

As I understand it, if for example a clarinet is in B flat, then the key
signature subtracts the first 2 flats from the normal key signature.
So a piece in A flat major would show its last two 2 flats (A flat
and D flat) and a piece in C major would show 2 sharps (F sharp
and C sharp).

If the clarinet is in A, the key signature subtracts its first 3 sharps
from the normal key signature. So a piece in E major would show
its last sharp (D sharp) and a piece in C major would show 3 flats
(B flat, E flat and A flat).

Having got these sharps and flats pinned down, all the other notes
become more easily identifiable. For years, I got confused by the
sight of seeing, for example, one flat on the clarinet stave and it
not being B flat!