Why can't I write a song in B# major?

Question

Why won't my music notation program let me compose a song in B# major (12 sharps)? I make the accidentals and everything, but after saving and quitting, then continuing later, it keeps putting the song back in C major. Why won't the 12 sharps stay there?

Answer 1

B# major is an actual key, although very rarely used.  I'm guessing the computer program wasn't designed to recognize such an unusual key.

And I'm not sure what the other guy means by saying B# is C major.

Check out this website

http://randscullard.com/CircleOfFifths/

It's an interactive Circle of Fifths. It has definately helped me to understand the patterns and relationships between key/chord progressions etc.

Additional info added: 7-24-08

The key of B# major is extremely complex and quite unnecessary because it sounds like C major. And that by using two sharps and five double sharps. But it exists: in the field of philosophy.

http://www.cisdur.de/e_hisdur.html

Answer 2

Dogs don't usually write music, cats think they can sing it, but dogs are more melodic. I think you are trying too hard, work within the square. Woof!

You tramp you!

XJ

Answer 3

what's wrong with c major?  b# major is technically not a real key.......

Answer 4

The most sharps or flats you can have in any key signature is 7.  While there are 12 semi-tones in an octave every half step is NOT assigned a key signature.

Answer 5

First of all you need to learn a bit of music theory... B# Maj would be in the key of C Maj.  HOW can you hope to write music when you don't even know THE BASICS?

Answer 6

Wow...I hope you're not a music major. C major is the same as B#. It would raise everything half a step so there are really no sharps needed at all