MuseScore

By the end of September 2008, MuseScore version 0.9.3 was released to the public together with a brand new website. One month later, it looks like the MuseScore project has experienced it's first tipping point. It's time for some number crunching.

Dear all,

I have now finalised the svn update automation system for my official
packages, and consequently Ubuntu preview packages are available. The
current revision is r1229, and it is, at the time of going to press,
only available for Ubuntu 8.10: (the main repository for) 8.04 does
not contain a recent enough version of Qt4. I am working to upload a
new Qt4 as I write.

The new MuseScore release 0.9.3 is out and ready for download!

MuseScore 0.9.3 implements a new compressed file format (*.mscz), adds a lot of other new features, fixes some bugs and tries to speedup/optimize layout. The script plugin interface has now bindings to the whole qt library. New score elements are glissando and tremolo symbols between notes. Tuplet types are extended and can now contain notes and rests of different len. A detailed changelog can be found here.

Below is a chart comparing MuseScore and Finale NotePad. I initially I made the comparison between these products because they were both free. Since MakeMusic announced that they will start charging for NotePad 2009, MuseScore looks even more compelling. See chart…

MakeMusic announced 1 day ago the that their Finale Notepad version of the Finale suite, will get complete MusicXML support in the upcoming 2009 release. This interesting news comes however with a price tag. From now on Finale Notepad will cost $10. So, is there a free alternative? Yes there is: MuseScore

Today Recordare LLC announced a new update of the Dolet 4 plugin for Sibelius which offers the ability to export musicXML 2.0 files. It is noteworthy to say that some of the knowhow to add MusicXML support for chord names in MuseScore, has been used for the development of the Dolet plugin as well.

This is just one of the indications that MuseScore has really good build in MusicXML support. But there are more indications as well. Read more

This release introduces a new harmony element used for chord names which allows for proper import/export to MusicXml. A new import filter reads some "Band In A Box" files with proper display of chord names. Scores can be transposed and a new function allows the creation of excerpts of selectable instruments. The new online documentation, many other small enhancements and a lot of bugfixes increase usability.

Another windows32 testrelease is waiting for you at mscore-r675.exe for testing.

A new windows32 test release mscore-r646.exe is available.