ScanScore

There are many programs out there that can help you create music out of (almost) nothing. Though no one is saying that you don’t need a lot of talent to use such a program successfully, it’s also true that you don’t really need any prior knowledge of musical theory, just a good ear and a knack for learning complex software.

But what about an app that deals with musical notes and could help those who can actually read them and play instruments? For them, ScanScore may actually be a useful tool.

If you come across a PDF or an image file containing notes, ScanScore will be able to recognize it and scan it into an editable score. The original score will be displayed on the left side of the interface, while the scan will be on the right. Remember, this is mostly for comparison purposes, as ScanScore is not exactly a music sheet editor.

Using a piano, it can play a whole score, or even individual notes when you click on them. ScanScore also allows you to move notes on the same staff or add new musical elements, but you can’t rearrange a musical piece completely, nor use the program to create your own music.

Depending on the edition of the program you are using, you can export one or more staffs as MusicXML files. This will allow you to further explore the process of playing and writing music by using other apps which can import the format.

Considering that ScanScore is, as its name suggests, a scanner first and foremost, its capabilities are surely impressive. If you’re passionate about using musical scores – whether from classical or contemporary pieces of music – then this app could help you go digital with your work.

Lastly, please note that the app is available for both Windows and macOS (10.12 Sierra or higher).