Introduction
Music notation software, like all other software, needs to be functional, practical, and also pleasing-to-use. The specialized function and complexity of music notation often contributes to the cost of notation programs. If you are like me, though, you like free stuff, especially if it works.
Music notation software is designed to create printable sheet music for you. The alternative to using notation software is writing music by hand, which is demanded in certain situations, but is slightly less practical. A good notation program should allow you to create any kind of music notation you need. A notation program is exceptionally well-made if it automates tasks such as spacing out notes or inserting repeats, without preventing you from modifying anything that doesn't fit your need. You should have the freedom to design your sheet music however you like it.
There are many free music notation programs on the web, with some better than others. In addition, getting accustomed to the user interface of an individual program usually takes at least 30 minutes. Hopefully, these reviews will help you make informed decisions in your search for a notation program that's a good match for you.
Rated Products
MuseScore
An excellent notation editor that is across platforms to create any kind of score from lead sheets to orchestral scores.
Platforms/Download: Linux | Mac OS | Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: 2.0.1
Gizmos Freeware
| Our Rating: 5/5 |
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Platforms/Download: Linux | Mac OS | Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: 2.18.2-1
Gizmos Freeware
| Our Rating: 5/5 |
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Finale NotePad
An easy-to-use application with simple functionality to suit most of your musical notation needs.
Platforms/Download: Mac OS | Windows (Desktop) |
Version reviewed: 2012
Gizmos Freeware
| Our Rating: 4/5 |
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Software to Watch
Musink Lite is my pick for software to watch in the future. Its unique feature is its "tuplet" system of notation, by which the program organizes notes in each measure. Basically, when you hover the mouse over a measure, the program momentarily shows the outlines of the notes that will fit time-wise into that measure. You insert notes by clicking on the positions where you need them, and Musink inserts rests to fill in the rest of the measure. While the concept is similar to what other notation programs do, Musink tells you explicitly where you are allowed to place notes and reduces the number of clicks or keypresses required to obtain the right note duration and location. Musink Lite’s other features are still limited, but the developer is actively working on the program.
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Comments
I'd like to endorse all the good things you say about MuseScore, and add that it opens the .bww files of Bagpipe Music Writer (BMW) too. I'm thinking of changing the writing of my band's music from BMW to Lilypond, so that I can have more flexibility for some of our more intricate requirements. MuseScore appears to offer an intermediate step between BMW's .bww files and the .ly files of Lilypond.
I'm having problems, though, exporting the .bww files to .ly ones with "Save As..." — MuseScore crashes without saving a properly completed version. It's a pity, because the the export to .ly is much easier than Lilypond's bwwtolily procedure which just won't run on my PC. There must be a work-around, and I'll report back when I find it.
Hi Stafford, Thanks for replying. I would like to sing into the software microphone and have the song converted to printable sheet music. I would really appreciate your guidance. Many thanks, Edna
Hi EdnaG. Unfortunately, that kind of technology is highly advanced and still proprietary. I have not yet found a free program that is able to reliably convert recordings into sheet music.
The commercial program Melodyne Assistant is able to convert single-voice recordings to MIDI format files, which you can import to any of the programs listed above to print sheet music, but it costs $250 and is somewhat technically advanced.
I recommend learning to use either Finale Notepad or MuseScore. Both of these programs give feedback by playing individual notes when you click on them, and they are also able to play back what you've written at the tempo you specify. These features may help you get acquainted with the practice of reading and writing sheet music. Wishing your group future success!
I do not read or write music but I sing with a group and I am looking for a program to convert singing to sheet music. I need something very simple so that I can really understand the program and start producing my own written music.
Many thanks in anticipation
EdnaG
Hi EdnaG,
Do you mean that you would like to convert voice recordings to sheet music?
Hey all!
Ive read through these comments and yes there are a few more I can try but straight off what I need is software that I can load MP3/4s into and it will score it out for me- chords, lyrics and melody. I have some 30 plus songs with lyrics all originals and my notation skills are rather slow.
Can anyone help, does this even exist??? Thanks :)
LittleLadyK,
I do know that audacity has the capability to take MP3's and convert them to notes/timings. You will need the VAMP Plugins that go with it as it is what changes the songs. The Vamp Plugins (search Google) are the Queen Mary Version. There is instructions on how to copy the files into the correct directory structure so that audacity automatically loads them
thx
Kip