MuseScore 3 Handbook
This handbook is for MuseScore versions 3.0 to 3.6.2 (and also mostly MuseScore 3.7 Evolution). If you are using a different version of the program, please consult the appropriate handbook for your version:
This handbook is maintained and translated by the MuseScore community. Contributions are welcome! In case of doubt, please consult the English version of this handbook, or ask for help in the Support Forum.
Try browsing the illustrated Glossary for notations you cannot name.
Use the links below to explore content in each chapter of the handbook. Alternatively, you can view the entire handbook as a single continuous page in a printer-friendly format with a multi-level table of contents.
This chapter helps you to install and run MuseScore for the first time. It will introduce you to the various learning and help resources.
Language, translations, and extensions (installation of MuseScore Drumline and the MuseScore General HQ SoundFonts and SFZ files)
The previous chapter guided you through the Download and Installation process. This chapter shows you how to set up a new score using the MuseScore Wizard and how to enter and edit basic music notation. The various parts of the program window are described—toolbars, Inspector, palettes, etc.—as well as viewing and navigation options.
Instruments (staff setup, templates)
Toolbars (adding and removing toolbar buttons)
In the previous chapter you learned how to enter notes and interact with the palettes. The "Notation" chapter describes the different types of notation, including more advanced music notation.
Note input (→ Basics)
Workspaces (→ Basics)
Arpeggios and glissandi and portamento between two notes
Articulations and ornaments (including turns, trills, and mordents)
Dynamics (→ Sound and playback)
Hairpins (including crescendo and decrescendo)
Lines (including Pedal markings, Long Trill lines, and Guitar Barre line)
Tempo (→ Sound and playback)
Voltas (1st and 2nd time endings)
See also → Advanced topics.
Inside MuseScore, you can play back your score using the internal synthesizer. This chapter covers dynamics and tempo notations, the playback controls, and ways to extend the instrument sounds. If you are having problems with playback, try suggestions written on How to get sound working if you don't hear anything
Capo playback NEW
Many score elements in MuseScore are based on text, either alone (e.g., staff text, dynamics, tempo, fingering, lyrics, etc.) or in combination with lines (e.g., voltas, octave lines, guitar barre lines, etc.).
Fonts (→ Formatting)
This chapter covers these text types and their formatting options:
Staff Text and System Text (The "Expression" button on the Text Palette is a styled Staff text.)
Chord notation systems (incl. Chord Symbols, Nashville Number System, and Roman Numeral Analysis)
Other types of text are covered in other chapters:
Tempo (→ Sound and playback)
Dynamics —p, mf, etc. (→ Sound and playback)
Swing (→ Sound and playback)
Repeats and jumps —DC, Fine, Coda, etc. (→ Notation)
Figured bass (→ Advanced topics)
Frames text —in vertical, horizontal or text frames (→ Formatting)
Headers and footers —different from standard text objects (→ Formatting)
This chapter describes ways to format elements on the pages of a score.
Layout and formatting (global style, and .mss style file)
Albums disabled in 3.x, maybe come back in 5.x
Custom palettes (→ Basics)
Score Comparison NEW
This chapter describes how to find help using MuseScore: the best places to look, the best way to ask a question on the forums, and tips for reporting a bug.
This chapter provides extra information on versions 3.x instead of detailed functions.
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