musescore

Use a specific audio driver

$ musescore --audio-driver [jack|alsa|portaudio|pulse]

$ musescore --bitrate [bitrate]

$ musescore --debug

$ musescore --experimental

$ musescore --export-to [output_file] [input_file]

$ musescore --diff [path/to/file1] [path/to/file2]

$ musescore --midi-operations [path/to/file]

musescore [options] [file...]

-h, --help
    Display a help message with available command-line options and exit.

-v, --version
    Display the MuseScore version number and exit.

-o, --output-file
    Export the specified score to a file in a different format. The format is determined by the file extension (e.g., .pdf, .midi, .mp3, .png, .svg, .mxl). Can be used for headless conversions.

-s, --score-file
    Specify the score file to open. While optional for opening a single file (you can just pass the filename), it can be useful in scripting.

-m, --midi-port
    Specify the MIDI port to use for input or output. This is typically a device ID or name.

-p, --playback-tempo
    Set the playback tempo for the score in BPM (beats per minute) when opening or exporting.

-r, --range
    When exporting, specify a range of measures or pages to include. Examples: 1-5 for measures 1 to 5, p1-p2 for pages 1 to 2.

-d, --debug
    Enable verbose debug output to the console, useful for troubleshooting.

-F, --factory-settings
    Start MuseScore with factory default settings. This is often used to resolve issues caused by corrupted user settings without affecting existing scores.

-L, --layout-debug
    Enable layout debugging features, providing visual cues for layout elements.

-u, --user-settings
    Specify an alternative user settings file to load instead of the default.

--ipc-id
    Specifies an inter-process communication ID, primarily for scripting and plugin interaction.

--no-midi
    Disable MIDI input/output entirely.

--no-synthesizer
    Disable the internal software synthesizer, useful for systems with external hardware or performance issues.

--use-ffmpeg
    Force the use of FFmpeg for audio export, if FFmpeg is installed and MuseScore is compiled with support for it.

MuseScore is a powerful and versatile open-source music notation software. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools for composing, arranging, and engraving musical scores. Users can input notes via keyboard, mouse, or MIDI keyboard, and the software supports a wide range of musical symbols, articulations, dynamics, and text.

Beyond creation, MuseScore allows for professional-quality score playback using its integrated synthesizer and SoundFont capabilities. It supports importing and exporting various file formats, including MusicXML, MIDI, PDF, PNG, SVG, MP3, and WAV, making it highly interoperable with other music software and publishing workflows. MuseScore is widely used by musicians, composers, educators, and students for creating lead sheets, orchestral scores, parts, and more, offering a free and feature-rich alternative to commercial notation programs.

When using `musescore` for headless conversions with the `-o` option, ensure that the output file extension accurately reflects the desired format. If FFmpeg support is desired for audio export (e.g., MP3), it must be installed on your system and MuseScore must have been compiled with FFmpeg integration. MuseScore's performance can vary depending on the complexity of the score and the system's hardware resources.

The `-F` option is extremely useful for troubleshooting, as it allows launching the application without loading potentially problematic user configurations.

MuseScore supports a wide array of export formats, making it highly versatile for different workflows. Common formats include: PDF (for printing and sharing scores), PNG/SVG (for high-quality image exports of scores or excerpts), MIDI (for importing into DAWs or other music software for playback/sequencing), MusicXML (the industry standard for exchanging musical scores between different notation software), and MP3/WAV/FLAC (for audio playback of the score's internal synthesizer sounds).

The `musescore` command-line interface is particularly powerful for automated tasks, such as converting multiple scores from one format to another without needing to open the graphical user interface. This is achieved using the `-o` (output file) option in conjunction with input files, making it suitable for batch processing and integration into larger scripting workflows.

MuseScore was originally created by Werner Schweer and first released in 2008. It quickly gained traction as a free and open-source alternative to commercial music notation software. Over the years, it has seen continuous development, driven by a dedicated community and a core team. Major milestones include the introduction of various playback improvements, significant UI/UX overhauls, and enhanced import/export capabilities, solidifying its position as a leading tool for music composition and engraving.

midi(4), aplay(1), arecord(1), timidity(1), lilypond(1)