Re: Key signatures in modes other than Ionian & Aeolian

[David Kastrup]

Peter Crighton <address@hidden> writes:

> Hello all,
>
> my question is not exclusive to LilyPond, but I hope you can enlighten me
> anyway.
>
> I am transcribing a song in D Mixolydian and am wondering which key
> signature to notate it in – d \mixolydian (because that is the mode it is
> in) or d \major (because a D major chord clearly is the tonic of the song).
> I’d rather notate it in d \mixolydian, which seems correct to me, but might
> it be easier to read (especially for non-professional musicians) in d
> \major just with a natural sign before every c?
> What is everyone doing in such a case? Any experiences which is easier to
> read? Also, could the style of music matter? In Early Music I’d be even
> more inclined to notate in d \mixolydian, but in this case it is a pop song
> where people might only expect to see major or minor keys.
>
> Curious to hear what you all think.

If there is no A major chord in the harmonization/chord sequences,
having a C sharp in the key signature on a tonic of D is going to
confuse more than it helps in my book.

-- 
David Kastrup