How to

The setting described here only works in MuseScore 4.2.1 and later, but not before!

In music from before the 20th century, it is common to see drum and timpani rolls notated as trills. Here is how to make that happen in MuseScore, with correct playback.

A step-by-step guide on how to play VST1 and VST2 plugins in MuseScore 4.

Tips and tricks to improve playback on your device

Various methods to fix corruptions in MuseScore 4 scores.

Beginners can start at Developers' handbook Plugin Chapter

Workaround for "difficult" tuplets. Works for 3.x and 2.x.

Method to divert Musescore MIDI Out messages to Ableton Live such that Ableton Live is the sound engine for Musescore.

Some possibilities found in the forums.

How-To write scordatura scores in Musescore, easily convert scordatura notation into correct sounding pitches notation staff (and vice versa).

Endecalineo or endecagram, the stave for Solfège.

You can change the duration of notes pasted using this feature that is not well known.
Here's how it works.

Select the range of notes you want to copy.
Copy them in the normal manner, either pressing ctrl+c, using the edit menu or right click and choose Copy.
Click the destination. Select a note duration as a multiplier as explained below.
Press the user defined shortcut you assigned to it.

If you are not familiar with the command line

Recommended before tapping the forum

To keep the Appimage updated

If you use Bluetooth headphones, try to check the settings.

For reversing a selection of notes, chords, and/or rests.

MuseScore 3.x only!

Just an information log of what I did to make mtest work in QtCreator. This acts as a temporary scrapbook note until (if?) these instructions can be finalized and turned into the real compilation documentation.

Connecting MuseScore to a digital audio workstation (DAW) for real-time usage and recording of high quality instrument sample libraries (sometimes known as VSTs or plugins). Software used: Windows 10 x64 operating system, MuseScore 3, Reaper 6, ASIO4ALL, and loopMIDI.

This HowTo is superseded by the built-in tremolo style option as of MuseSciore 3.6.0, you can set it using the inspector.
The old howto is available below for those that might still have a use for it.

This is how you input 'old style' and other special tremolos into your score.

Ever wondered how to make Chord Sheets that are transposable inside MuseScore? Wait no more!

From a request on the forum

Successfully using jumps and repeats as of version 3.1.

This article contains instructions to setup correct playback for all dynamics and hairpins in Musescore, and information on SND, MIDI CC, synthesizer, soundfont, dynamics, and hairpins. This article was formerly titled 'How To How to use Single Note Dynamics (SND)'

to an issue or a conversation in the forum to ask for support

This How-To walks through a number of scenarios for creating and modifying complex chord diagrams via the Inspector, by starting with the Fretboard Diagrams palette (in the Advanced Workspace).

at the end of the score

The main functions from the menu bar

It's possible to make a measure with a repeat previous notes sign inside of it.

on musescore.org or musescore.com

Dynamics do not work after opening a MIDI file in MuseScore 2, 3 or 4

Create trills and ornaments that have modified pitches for notes other than the main notated note.

How do I add custom images such as the above PNG file to a custom palette?

This HowTo explains how to notate two fingering numbers under a curved line, used to denote a fingering change in keyboard music.

This method uses a text box to highlight any part of a score. Ease-of-editing is maintained and the score remains visible even when the highlight box is selected .

A workaround to allow correct notation and playback of a capoed, or detuned, guitar.

Some workarounds to ensure correct notation and improved playback of ties leading to a Volta 2nd ending.

Create your own triplet swing markings inside MuseScore to ensure their style matches your score

This explains how to make tuplets out of durations that are not normally expressed by a single note or rest. Works for MuseScore 2.x and later

Starting in version 3.5 you can specify sharps or flats by setting the option in staff/part properties. These instructions no longer work.

For versions prior to 3.5, these instructions show you how to change key signatures for a transposing instrument, such as a B♭ clarinet or E♭ saxophone, when MuseScore inserts the equivalent enharmonic key signature.

This page is still under construction. I am working on adding pictures, links and formatting. Please be patient until this message is removed.

This is a description of how to use the features in MuseScore to create songs with polyrhythms and local time signatures. There are several methods available and I have attempted to explain each along with some possible problems that will arise while using them.

Creating a tuplet that is different than the duration of a note that can be expressed by a single note or rest

How to use the `-D <dpi>` command line option

For analysis or to emphasize a part

A quick and easy way to import images or graphics with transparent background created with Microsoft PowerPoint into MuseScore via copy&paste

Unfortunately, MuseScore (prior to 4.x) does not have a built-in 2-measure repeat function (with or without playback). Here is a workaround to create one:

Occasionally, when something about MuseScore's installation is changed, playback may stop working. This How-To describes how to get playback working again.

A problem occurs when Windows doesn't know how to open the .msi extension: "This file does not have a program associated with it to perform this action."

Occasionally when importing a score created with an older version of MuseScore into a newer (or sometimes when importing a MusicXML file), a dialog box will appear warning "File corrupted", with the option to Cancel opening the score, Ignore the corruption and continue, or Show Details about the corruption. A corrupted score cannot be uploaded to MuseScore.com. Fortunately, it's relatively easy to fix these corruptions using MuseScore, and you should do so immediately before further editing the score.

How to copy just lyrics, or lyrics plus melody, from one staff to another.

If one of your scores becomes lost, corrupted, or cannot be opened, there's a chance that MuseScore saved a copy somewhere on your computer.

MuseScore allows you to change the sound of an instrument mid-staff. So you can alternate strings between arco, pizzicato, and tremolo, or apply a mute to a trumpet, and so on.

with different key and time signatures on one page

A workaround to producing an ossia via image capture: in this case to produce an "ornament explanation."

to align the elements of a score

Circled numbers are commonly reserved for strings

Create a condensed score by automatically hiding instruments that do not play

when they have different values

or make a precise dynamic

For additional stanzas of lyrics or to add annotations, etc. This is a tutorial for MuseScore 1, and does not apply to MuseScore 2.

for the music of the XIV century and other occasions.

For two voices on the same staff

How to split a measure, so you can have a line break or a (working) repeats barline in the middle of a regular measure

To align with the lyrics of a score for the sung part

or reinsert them after the modifications to the score

to have a custom reproduction, for example to classical music, for jazz or pop.

If one of your scores becomes lost, corrupted, or not openable, there's a chance that MuseScore saved a copy somewhere on your computer.

Want to delete measures? Select them and Delete Selected Measures

Sometimes MuseScore requires all privileges to be able to work properly for certain tasks (e.g. finding your printers). The solution is to run MuseScore as Administrator.

Want to add an instrument to the selection in the New Score Wizard? Read further.

Want to transfer your sheet music collection from other music notation software? Use MusicXML.

MuseScore generates sounds using a SoundFont. If you are not happy with a sound, you may want to edit the soundfont, combine several soundfonts etc...

In MuseScore, rehearsal marks in a score normally end up duplicating the measure number, instead of replacing it.

Want to use MuseScore in another language?

If you require more space for your score, you could merge two staves into one.

Want to delete a score shared on MuseScore.com?

Want to create a videoscore on MuseScore.com?

Want to install new software and don't have administrator rights? Use a portable version of MuseScore.

Want to add a tempo to your score? Use a tempo text.

A chord spreading over two staves.

Voices allow you to have notes in a single measure which occur at the same time, yet have different durations.

If measures are too long to fit on a single system, a solution is to place a system break in the middle.

If two neighbouring notes have contrasting vertical positions and share a beam, it may be preferable to situate it between the notes instead of below or above them.

Strum patterns are often used for instruments such as guitar.