Removing a Key Signature from Transposing Instruments in Finale

When you write for a transposing instrument (clarinet in Bb or A, saxophone in Eb, horn in F, trumpet in Bb or D) in Finale, it automatically inserts a key signature. This is fine for tonal music, but it is not desirable for non-tonal music.

You can write for the transposing instrument "in C," meaning the pitches will sound as written (not transposed) by unchecking the "transposition" box in the "Staff Attributes" dialog box (click on Staff Tool, double-click on the staff of the transposing instrument to get there).  This gets rid of the key signature (assuming there is none in your score), but it does not solve the problem, because you will eventually have to transpose the part so that the performer can read it properly, and at that point, Finale will insert a key signature.

Here is how you remove the key signature while maintaining the correct transposition. I use Finale 2011, so for later versions, I have pasted the instructions from Finale's website.

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For Finale 2011 and earlier:

1. Make sure your score does not have a key signature by selecting "C major" or "A minor" as your key. Then…
2. Select (by clicking) the Staff Tool.
3. Double click the staff of the transposing instrument. This opens the "Staff Attributes" dialog box.
4.  If you want the correct transposition in your score, make sure the "Transposition" box has a check mark. If you want a "C score" (untransposed score), keep it unchecked.
5. To the right of the "Transposition" check-box, is a button labelled "Select…"  Click on this.
6. This takes you to the "Staff Transpositions" dialog-box.
7. At the top of this dialog box, make sure the "Transposition: Key Signature" button is on. Do NOT use the drop-down menu to the right of these words to select your transposition; this will insert a key signature into the clarinet part, which is what we are trying to remove!
8. Instead, click the "chromatic" radio button, and THEN select the desired transposition from the drop-down menu next to the word "chromatic." 
9. Click "OK" twice to exit these dialog boxes and return to your score.

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For Finale 2012:

1. Open the ScoreManager window. (Windows menu > ScoreManager).
2. Select the Transposition option and click Other under the instrument list tab.
3. Click the radio button next to Chromatic (under some circumstances, you may need to change the transposition level if it is not already set to the appropriate interval).
4. Click OK to leave the ScoreManager window and return to your score.

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For Finale 2014, the process is simpler than in previous versions.

To set up a new document without a key signature:

1. Go to File > New > Document with Setup Wizard.
2. Select the desired ensemble or click Next to choose individual instruments and continue through the Wizard.
3. On the fourth page of the Setup Wizard, choose Keyless from the key signature drop-down menu.
4. If desired, choose the key for the tonal center and select Hide Key Signature and Show Accidentals.
5. Click Finish.

To set a section without a key signature by using the Key Signature tool:

1. Select the Key Signature tool.
2. Choose Keyless from the key signature drop-down menu.
3. If desired, choose key for the tonal center and select Hide Key Signature and Show Accidentals.
4. Ensure that the measure range is correct and click OK.