Free Music Notation Software and Web-Based Applications

Free Music Notation Software and Web-Based Applications

Since my time as an undergraduate student, the number of music notation software and web-based applications on the market has grown considerably. Below, I describe some of these, including Finale NotePad, Sibelius First, Dorico SE, MuseScore, Noteflight Basic, and Flat Basic. All of these are suitable for use in general music classrooms.

Finale NotePad, Sibelius First, and Dorico SE

Finale NotePad and Sibelius First are free versions of two of the most established music notation software programs. Finale NotePad must be downloaded and installed and allows users to “create orchestrations of up to eight staves” (MakeMusic, 2022, Finale Notepad section, para. 1). Finale NotePad has a range of dynamic, tempo markings, articulations, and other notation options, although overall these are somewhat limited. Scores can be listened to using the playback feature. The latest version of Finale NotePad is a legacy program from 2012 and is available for Windows. For Mac, Finale NotePad will work on pre-High Sierra operating systems (Johnson, 2017).

Sibelius First must also be downloaded and installed. When compared to Finale NotePad, Sibelius First has a refreshed and modern look. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac. In Sibelius First, users can “create simple scores with up to 4 staves” (Avid, 2022a, p. 1). A range of functions are included, such as audio playback; chord symbols; a guitar fretboard and keyboard for inputting notes; dynamic, articulation and tempo markings; and a lyric input tool (Avid, 2022b). For a list of included features, see the Avid Sibelius Comparison Guide (Avid, 2022a).

Dorico SE is a relatively new addition to the market, with the first Dorico software released in October 2016 (Steinberg, 2021). Dorico SE allows users to create “sheet music for up to two instruments” (Steinberg, 2023, Compose and arrange music section). It is available for both Windows and Mac. While limited to two instruments, Dorico SE does offer a range of features for a free platform and an intuitive layout with its three modes of Write, Play, and Print. It is also worth noting that “Dorico SE is the only free music notation software to incorporate some of the power and flexibility of a sequencer” (Steinberg, 2023, Expand your horizons section).

Finale NotePad, Sibelius First, and Dorico SE are all suitable options for simple composition and arranging tasks in general music classrooms. I have provided links to where each of these software programs can be downloaded in the Supplementary Material section. If you require further functionality, then perhaps consider the paid options that MakeMusic, Avid, and Steinberg provide. Education discounts are often available for these products.

MuseScore

MuseScore.org is open-source notation software available for both Windows and Mac. Unlike Finale NotePad, Sibelius First, and Dorico SE, there are no limitations on the number of staves that can be created, or on any other features, as MuseScore has no paid option. With the recent update to MuseScore 4, this notation software is becoming a serious contender with its intuitive design and enhanced audio playback. When searching for this product, be careful not to confuse it with MuseScore.com, which is a platform for sharing digital scores. I have provided a link to where MuseScore 4 can be downloaded in the Supplementary Material section.

Noteflight Basic and Flat Basic

Noteflight Basic and Flat Basic differ from the options above in that they are online notation platforms. The advantage of this is that installation is not required, meaning that students can access these platforms on most devices with an internet connection. Another advantage is that being cloud-based, these applications allow students to collaborate in real time, much like they would on a Google Doc. Functionality is, however, limited and I would not recommend either of these platforms if you wish to produce high-quality publishable scores. However, despite this, for collaborative composition tasks and a quick and easy setup in the classroom, Noteflight Basic and Flat Basic are both good options. Please note that at the time of writing, Noteflight Basic allows users to create and save up to 10 scores, while Flat Basic allows users to create and save up to 15 scores. I have provided links to where you can access these two applications in the Supplementary Material section. Both applications have paid options targeted at educators including Noteflight Learn and Flat for Education.

Summary

A range of free music notation software and web-based applications are currently available. In this column, I have described some of the more popular options, including basic versions of paid software (that is, Finale NotePad, Sibelius First, and Dorico SE), open-source notation software (that is, MuseScore), and web-based applications (that is, Noteflight Basic and Flat Basic). I hope this provides a useful starting point for those of you wishing to incorporate this technology into your practice. Of course, there is always pencil and manuscript paper as well!