Are you the next Mozart? Do you have the potential to create the next hit song for your band? Perhaps music theory is something you struggle with. These apps can help you make sheet music wherever and whenever you want.
The world has changed a lot since Mozart’s day. No longer do you have to create sheet music by candlelight and a quill. Instead, you can make it digitally through sheet music maker applications. These are the best tools you have to create sheet music.
1. MuseScore
MuseScore works as a standalone app. You will need to download the software and install it. It’s free and open-source. We think it’s the best on this list. However, your opinion may vary depending on your specific usage needs.
It has everything you need in sheet music software. It supports unlimited staves, unlimited length compositions, and plug-ins allow you to increase its power. All of it looks amazing.
It is not as advanced as paid apps such Sibelius or Finale but it’s sufficient for most users.
Additional features include user-defined keyboard shortcuts, the ability drag note modifiers and performance marks, and more.
2. BlankSheetMusic
BlankSheetMusic rivals MuseScore’s paid apps for features.
It is a simple, easy-to-use sheet music creator that allows you to add basic musical symbols to blank sheets. You can then print them. You can’t add your notes. This tool is ideal if you need to print music sheets that you can manually create.
There are only a few options. You have the ability to add tabs, clefs, staffs, adjust paper size, margins, orientation, and change staffs. Once you are done, click the huge Print icon in the bottom right-hand corner.
LilyPond was the idea of two musicians. They wanted to create “beautiful sheet music.” This app is known for its unique style and has been a leader in sheet music creation.
LilyPond doesn’t rely on a drag and drop interface to add musical symbols or notes, unlike some other apps. Instead, the app uses text input. It’s more similar to a programming language. It might take some time to get used if you’ve worked with traditional sheet music tools.
The best part about text files for music is their future-proof nature. Text files are more difficult to corrupt and can be opened even after the parent software ceases to exist.
4. Musink
Musink can be used by clicking on any note that you would like to add, and the location you want it to appear. The app adjusts the rest and note times automatically. The app also includes a range of free templates that will make life easier. These templates come with predefined page margins and note sizes, as well as title fonts.
This app will be a hit with drummers, as it includes tools made for drumming. They include ghost notes and sticking as well special layout rules.
Musink also offers a premium version. It allows you to import a MIDI file, record from a MIDI device, a customizable Metronome, music playback and advanced publishing options. Musink costs $60 for the paid version.
5. forScore
forScore can also be integrated with the wider Internet. You can download music from any site and save it as a PDF.
A practice tool allows you to set learning goals, track your progress, and even create your own practice tools. For more information, visit our online music education resources.
6. EasyABC
EasyABC, an open-source tool for creating sheet music, is called EasyABC. The app can work with ABC files and will play through your system’s soundcard.
It can import MusicXML and MIDI files, as well as abcm2ps or abc2midi. Exporting is also easy with MIDI and SVG as well as PDF.
You can also record songs from MIDI using the Windows version. Unfortunately, the feature isn’t yet available in the Mac version.
Finally, the program has some tools that allow you to create clean ABC code. You can fix lowercase/uppercase notes, add note durations and even try an experimental “do re-mi” mode.
7. Noteflight
The Noteflight web app is broken down into three distinct tiers: Free , Prem , Learn.
The free version allows you to create up 10 different scores that you can share with your friends or embed on web pages. You can print your creations or create music on a mobile device.
The Premium version offers unlimited score creation, support for 85 instruments and real-time transcribing using MIDI. It costs $49/year.
The Learn edition targets schools. It costs $69/year for lifetime access or $300 for unlimited access. This includes activity templates, unlimited classes, groups, and content libraries.
8. Sibelius
Sibelius, one of the most popular sheet music-writing apps for beginners, is Sibelius. Sibelius First and Sibelius Ultimate are the three tiers of the software.
The First package can be downloaded and used for free. You can create simple scores using up to four steps, make basic notation, add comments and listen to MIDI.
The middle package, which costs $10/month, includes 16 instrument parts and an increased number notational and playback features as well support for two devices.
The Ultimate package, which targets music professionals, costs $20/month. This allows for more bar types, unlimited staves and beams, customizable brackets or braces, as well as more flexible brackets and braces.
