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MuseScore is a software used to compose sheet music on a PC or Mac computer. You can add layers of musical symbols on staves to create a full composition for export to PDF, MIDI, mp3, or .wav files.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

The Basics

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Make a New Score

  1. You can also press a button on the top left corner with the picture of a page and a star.
  2. These parts are optional and can be edited later on.
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  3. There are various styles and with different preset instruments and voices available.
    • You can also choose an empty template and add your own instruments onto the page.
  4. You may also choose a tempo, this is also optional since you can edit it later on.
  5. You can edit the number of measures in your piece later on.
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Adding Notes

  1. You can also type in the letter of the note (i.e. A to G).
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Adding Dotted Notes

  1. Then press on the "." on your keyboard or the "Augmentation Dot" on the top.
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Deleting Notes

    • If a note was accidentally deleted, you can undo it by pressing Ctrl + Z .
      • While in "Note Input Mode", pressing Delete is the same as undoing what you did. Be sure to close "Note Input Mode" so that you can straight out delete the note.

Adding Instruments

  1. You can also press I to open up the menu.
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Adding Measures

  1. Scroll through Measures . Select the choice of inserting one measure or multiple measures. The measure will be inserted to the left of selected bar.
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=== Accidentals, Ornaments, and Grace Notes ===

Adding Accidentals

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Adding Objects from the Palette

  1. Click on the symbol, and drag it wherever you would want it to be.
    • The Grace Note will not affect the beat. You can also pitch of the grace note by dragging it or toggling the up and down arrow keys.
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Adding Ties

  1. Press Shift + + on your keyboard to tie them together.
    • You can also find a button on the board at the top.
    • If there is a similar note after the second note selected, this will also tie them together.
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Others

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Adding Voices or Parts to Your Scores

  1. This way, you could add notes of different lengths to the same measure without having to use a lot ties.
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Adding Lyrics

  1. It will automatically go to the next note when you do this.
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Changing the Tempo

  1. Scroll through Text and locate Tempo Marking . A text box with a tempo marking will appear at the top of the measure.
    • You can also use the shortcut of pressing Alt + T for Macintosh Users or Ctrl + Alt + T for Window Users.
    • If you're not satisfied with the beat note, you can drag a tempo marking from the Palette.
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Making Tuplets

  1. Scroll through Tuplets and select the tuplet you want.
    • Click on Other to make more than nine notes in your tuplet.
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Transposing

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Opening Saved Files

    • You can also use the shortcut of pressing Ctrl + O on your keyboard.
  1. Double click the file to open it.
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Community Q&A

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Add New Question
  • Question
    How can I add the staff for my left hand?
    Animebread
    Top Answerer
    Go to 'Edit' at the top and find 'Instruments'; click that and find the instrument that you want to add a left hand staff to. Then select 'Add Staff'.
  • Question
    How do I use "Double #" in musescore?
    Technist
    Community Answer
    It'll be a little x (𝄪), and it should be along with the rest of the accidentals.
  • Question
    How do I write 2 different notes in 1 space on MuseScore?
    Community Answer
    Hold shift and write the letter name of the other note you want while the first note is selected.
See more answers
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      Tips

      • The Getting Started score that appears in the Start Center when you first open MuseScore is similar to an interactive "How to Use MuseScore".
      • Some useful shortcuts for Windows Users:
        • Ctrl + L will add lyrics to your score.
        • Ctrl + P will print out your score.
        • Ctrl + Q exits you out of MuseScore.
        • Ctrl + Z will undo your music.
        • Ctrl + Y will redo your music.
        • Ctrl + N will create a new score.
        • Ctrl + S will save your score.
        • Ctrl + O will opens up a pop-up to open another score.
        • Ctrl + Alt + T will let you change your tempo.
        • Ctrl + T will add staff text.
        • Ctrl + Shift + T will add system text.
        • Ctrl + M will collapse/expand empty measures.
        • Ctrl + Del will delete selected measures.


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      Expert Interview

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