MUSIC XML

MusicXML (EXtensible Markup Language) is a standard Open XML-based file format for representing Western Music Notation.  It was designed for sharing Sheet Music files between different Music Notation Software programs and for archiving Sheet Music Files for use in the future.

As of October 2020, MusicXML is supported to varying degrees by over 250 Music Notation programs:
- Most scorewriting or Music Notation programs, including Sibelius, Finale, Dorico and MuseScore.
- Most Music OCR (Optical Character Recognition) programs, including SmartScore, PhotoScore and Audiveris.
- Most Music Sequencer programs or DAW's (Digital Audio Workstation), including Cubase, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Digital Performer and SONAR.

Web support is possible through the use of the HTML5 canvas element and JavaScript resulting in the rendering of legible music within a web browser.  Features include Key and Time Signatures, Clefs, Note Beaming information, Note Stem directions, Slurs, Ornaments, Bar Lines and written repeats.

Before MusicXML, the only music notation interchange format commonly supported was MIDI.  MIDI is a wonderful format for performance applications like Sequencers, but it is not so wonderful for other applications like Music Notation.  MIDI does not know the difference between an F-sharp and a G-flat; it does not represent Note Stem direction, Note Beams, Repeats, Slurs, Bar Line, Measures and many other aspects of notation.