Breaking the Music Software Monopoly: Why MuseScore Must Accelerate Development

The world of music notation software has long been dominated by two giants: Finale and Sibelius. These industry standards have maintained their top positions for decades, despite facing criticism for their lack of recent innovation. Many composers still prefer these two programs, but what keeps them so firmly entrenched in the music notation market?

The Legacy of Finale and Sibelius

Finale and Sibelius have enjoyed a lengthy tenure as the go-to software for composers and musicians. Introduced in the 1980s and 1990s respectively, they had the advantage of establishing themselves early on. Over the years, they've refined their features, becoming robust and reliable tools that many in the music community have come to depend on.

Music publishing companies significantly influence this dominance. Most accept Finale and Sibelius files directly, while some also accept MusicXML files. However, submitting native Finale or Sibelius files is often easier and more cost-effective for all parties involved, as it reduces potential errors and additional engraving work.

Collaboration with older musicians is often simpler when using Finale and Sibelius. These programs have a larger user base among older musicians compared to newer software like Dorico (introduced in the 2010s) or MuseScore (which gained popularity in the last decade).

While collaboration between different software is possible through MusicXML export, this process can lead to information loss and requires additional knowledge from users. This situation often compels individuals to purchase software they might not prefer, solely for collaboration purposes.

Finale and Sibelius have had time to specialize in various areas of music notation. Sibelius is frequently used with Pro Tools in the film industry, while Finale offers built-in formats for creating educational materials. Finale's parent company also owns MakeMusic Cloud, providing opportunities for music educators to expand their curriculum.

Both programs are widely used in music education, familiarizing students with the software early in their careers. This often leads to continued use of these programs throughout their professional lives.

The Accessibility Problem

The dominance of Finale and Sibelius raises concerns about accessibility. Even with student discounts, the cost can be prohibitive for many individuals, potentially limiting access to music education and careers. This is where MuseScore, a free and open-source software, presents a vital alternative. However, to truly challenge the established giants, MuseScore must accelerate its development and address its current shortcomings.

The Need for Speedy Development

For MuseScore to compete effectively, it must first reach a level playing field with Finale and Sibelius. This means rapidly implementing essential features that are currently missing. For example, MuseScore 4 lacks basic features such as a metronome count-in, which is crucial for many musicians during playback and rehearsal. Addressing these gaps swiftly will make MuseScore a more viable option for serious composers and musicians.

Moreover, enhancing the user experience with more intuitive interfaces, expanding the range of templates and built-in formats, and ensuring robust MusicXML export and import capabilities are all critical steps. By doing so, MuseScore can reduce the friction in collaborating with users of other software and make itself more attractive to a broader audience.

Encouraging Innovation and Collaboration

MuseScore's open-source nature is one of its greatest strengths. It allows for community-driven development, where users can contribute to the software's improvement. Encouraging more musicians and developers to get involved can accelerate innovation and ensure that MuseScore continues to evolve in ways that meet the community's needs.

Breaking the Monopoly

The future of Finale and Sibelius's market dominance depends on factors such as continued innovation from competitors like MuseScore and Dorico, changing attitudes among composers about necessary software for success, and music publishers accepting a wider range of file formats. While Finale and Sibelius may eventually become less popular, their historical significance and contributions to the music composition and notation community suggest they won't disappear entirely. Increased competition in the notation software market could lead to more development and innovation across all programs, ultimately benefiting all musicians.

Conclusion

MuseScore stands at a pivotal moment. The opportunity to break the music software monopoly and challenge the hegemony of Finale and Sibelius is within reach. However, it requires a commitment to speedy development, addressing current deficiencies, and leveraging its open-source advantage. By doing so, MuseScore can become a powerful, accessible, and innovative tool that empowers musicians around the world and transforms the landscape of music notation software.