MuseScore - Free Notation Software
Posted by jamesfrankel on November 9th, 2009
While preparing for my session at the CMS/ATMI Technology Pre Conference in Portland a few weeks ago, I finally had a chance to take a look at a free notation software program called MuseScore. I first heard about the program from my good friend Joe Pisano who reviewed it about a year ago on MusTech.net. Joe put together this list of MuseScore’s features. Here they are:
MuseScore in a nutshell via bullets:
1. Cross Platform (Linux and Windows) and GNU GPL
2. WYSIWYG editing
3. Wizard Setup funtions
4. UNLIMITED number of staves
5. 4 voices (or parts) per staff
6. Easy and fast note entry with mouse, keyboard or MIDI (Note: Windows users, I’ve talked to the people at MuseScore and the MIDI entry will be available very soon!)
7. Import and export Music XML
8. Automatic note head positioning
9. DRUM NOTATION INCLUDED!!!
10. Cross Staff beaming ability
11. Unlimited time and key changes
12. Pickup note measure supported
13. Slur editing
14. Unlimited Lyrics
15. Unlimited Chord names
16. Grace Notes
17. Part extraction
18. Plugins are supported!
19. Midi/XML/PNG Export
20. Mixer function
21. Soundfont capable
22. Partial interpretation of Expressions and repeats
That is a pretty impressive list of features for a program that is 100% free. It is the perfect option for those teachers who are looking for a functional notation program yet don’t have the budget to buy Finale NotePad, Sibelius Student or Finale PrintMusic. I have used the program a few times now, and I have to say that I am impressed. MuseScore is easy to use, it works well with a USB MIDI controller, and has some powerful export features. It is certainly an option for students to download at home so that they can complete assignments that you create in either Finale or Sibelius. It is also a good alternative to Noteflight if your music classroom (or lab) does not have internet access. My only complaint about the software (admittedly it is hard to have a complaint when they are giving the software away) is that the sounds are pretty lame. However, if you are looking for something to create notation, export the finished work as a MIDI file to another program like GarageBand and re-orchestrate it there.
I would strongly recommend checking out MuseScore and play around with it for awhile. It just might be the perfect solution for you. After all, what have you got to lose?
If you are a MuseScore user - I’d love to hear your reactions. Please feel free to leave your impressions!
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November 9th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Thanks for the review. I’m an happy MuseScore user and developer.
MuseScore is free, open source, supported by the community.
Regarding the sound, installing a SoundFont can improve the playback a lot.
The default soundfont is small and so, not so good, but installing FluidGM should give you a decent playback while you are writing your score, freely and for free.
December 10th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I’ve downloaded MuseScore and Forte and have found that MuseScore to be much more intuitive that Forte. The sounds aren’t an issue for me. I’m more into the aspect of having to ability to notate and arrange.
I’ve found it to be quite intuitive and easy to use. I was having an issue with editing lyrics in Forte but can very easily input, edit, and resume quickly. Unfortunately with Forte, i was trying to edit text in the second verse and kept clicking into the first.
Some ideas for future releases:
In the Harmony Properties section it would be nice to have the option of null. For example, I want to put in a G chord with a B in the bass. I want to write it “G/B” but when I use the Harmonic Properties pallet my option is for Gmaj/B. This is confusing to a beginner guitar player because it can be thought os as “Gmaj7/B”
The option of having guitar chord shapes with the chords.
Auto numbering of verses.
I think the software is great and can’t wait to learn more to be a better user.