Denemo is free, open-source music notation software for GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows. You can enter and edit music in its graphical interface, then have LilyPond produce the engraved score for printing or PDF export. Notes can be entered with a computer keyboard, mouse, MIDI controller, or microphone.
What Denemo does
Denemo is a graphical music-notation editor: it provides an editable working view for entering music, while LilyPond handles the final typesetting. That division is useful if you want graphical note entry but also want LilyPond’s score-engraving output. Denemo is distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which permits users to use, share, and modify it. Denemo project
How to enter notes in Denemo
Denemo supports several input methods, so the best choice depends on whether you are composing, transcribing, or entering music by hand.
- Computer keyboard: The first-steps tutorial demonstrates a keyboard-first workflow: letter keys enter pitches and number keys set note lengths. Denemo first steps
- MIDI controller: A MIDI keyboard controller can be used to input notes. This suits players who prefer performing pitches over entering them one at a time with a computer keyboard.
- Mouse: The project also lists mouse-based notation entry.
- Microphone: Denemo describes microphone input as another way to enter notation; consult the project’s documentation for details of the relevant workflow.
Denemo’s showcase also describes PDF-based transcription support. This is distinct from importing a notation file: it refers to working from PDF score material, not a guarantee that every PDF can be automatically converted into editable notation. Denemo project
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- 96-page wirebound book
- 12 staves per page
- Music Notation Guide.
Engraving, playback, and export
Denemo’s input display and LilyPond’s typeset print view serve different purposes. You make edits in Denemo; LilyPond produces the engraved score. The manual documents playback, printing, printing parts, and PDF export. Denemo manual
For a basic keyboard-entry workflow, the first-steps tutorial proceeds from pitches and note lengths to exporting a PDF. The project’s documented features also cover more specialized notation, including tablature, chord charts, fret diagrams, drums, transposing instruments, ossia passages, cue notation, title pages, tables of contents, critical commentaries, and footnotes quoting music. Denemo first steps Denemo project
Rank #2
- Wide Staff Manuscript Paper
- Perfect for Students
- 32 8–1/2'' x 8–1/2''
- Six Staves per Page
- 32 Pages
Import and interoperability
The project lists import support for MIDI, LilyPond, and MusicXML, alongside MIDI instruments and other notation workflows. These formats serve different purposes: MIDI carries performance-oriented note and timing data, while MusicXML is designed to exchange written notation. Import results can depend on the source file and the feature set represented in it.
Denemo’s roadmap mentions ongoing fixes for MusicXML import, LilyPond import, and MIDI-track visualization. Those notes identify areas receiving development attention; they do not establish a completion date or guarantee identical behavior across every operating-system build. Denemo roadmap
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Operating systems, downloads, and current version
Denemo provides packages or installation instructions for Linux distributions, Windows, and macOS. The project also describes a portable, no-install option for Windows and access to source code, but the exact package available can vary by operating system and Linux distribution. Check the project’s downloads page for the option that matches your system. Denemo downloads
The downloads page identifies version 2.6 as the current stable release and dates it March 11, 2022. This is the release information listed by the project; check its downloads page for any subsequent change. Denemo downloads
Rank #4
- Format: Book
- Category: Textbook - General
- Contributors: By Tom Gerou and Linda Lusk
- Pub Date: 10/1996
- Series: Essential Dictionary Series
Who should consider Denemo?
Denemo is worth considering if you want a free graphical notation editor with multiple input methods and LilyPond-based engraving. Its feature set spans keyboard entry, MIDI input, playback, PDF output, and a range of specialized notation types. If your work depends on a particular import format or a platform-specific package, verify that workflow on the project’s documentation and downloads pages before committing a large score.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 32 Pages
- Wide Staff
- Large 6 Staves per Page
- Music Notation Guide
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