Composing is an important musical skill – and it’s worth mastering. While you may not create a piece worthy of the next Top 10 Songs For the Violin, the process of composing is a way to reverse engineer what you’ve learned as a musician. Plus, creating and working on compositions of your own provides a healthy respect for both contemporary and historical composers – it’s a complicated skillset.
The good news for the contemporary musician is that you can put those blank music pages and pencils aside. Music composition apps are the wave of the future. In addition to converting what you play into notated sheet music – including accurate rhythm and key signatures – these programs also offer recording and editing features, so you can hone your skills as you go.
Note for beginning musicians: If you’re a beginning musician whose composing skills exceed your ability to write/read music – always have your instructor play your composition back to you to ensure it was notated correctly. You may find you’ll need to tweak the digital version a bit if the microphone or amp doesn’t pick up – and notate – the music as you intended.
During this challenging time of needing to shelter in place and keep our social distance, composing music and learning how to do so, is a wonderful way to use your time to grow as a musician. In addition to all the great apps listed below that are great for solo composing, visit our recent article about apps for creating music collaboratively online for even more options.
1. Notion
Notion is a versatile notation software that offers powerful tools for composers, arrangers, and songwriters. With its intuitive interface and comprehensive feature set, Notion allows users to create sheet music, score arrangements, and produce professional-quality compositions right from their mobile device. Whether you're sketching out ideas on the go or fine-tuning your masterpiece in the studio, Notion provides the flexibility and precision you need to bring your musical vision to life.
2. StaffPad
StaffPad is a groundbreaking music notation app that harnesses the power of handwriting recognition technology to streamline the composition process. Using a stylus or Apple Pencil, composers can write music directly onto the staff, and StaffPad will automatically convert their handwritten notes into digital notation. With its seamless integration with MIDI devices and DAWs, StaffPad offers a seamless workflow for composers, allowing them to capture their musical ideas with unparalleled speed and accuracy.
3. Endlesss
Endlesss is a collaborative music creation platform that combines elements of social networking with real-time music production. With Endlesss, musicians can connect with collaborators from around the world in virtual jam sessions, improvising and building upon each other's ideas in real time. Whether you're looking to jam with friends or collaborate with artists across the globe, Endlesss offers a dynamic and creative environment for musical exploration and experimentation.
4. Dorico
Dorico is a cutting-edge music notation software designed for professional composers, arrangers, and engravers. With its advanced scoring features and sophisticated layout tools, Dorico allows users to create beautiful, publication-quality scores with ease. Whether you're composing for orchestra, chamber ensemble, or solo instrument, Dorico provides the flexibility and precision you need to bring your musical vision to life.
5. HumBeatz
HumBeatz is a unique music production app that allows users to create beats and melodies using nothing but their voice. With its intuitive interface and powerful audio processing algorithms, HumBeatz can instantly transform vocal melodies into fully-produced tracks, complete with drums, basslines, and harmonies. Whether you're a beatboxer, vocalist, or just someone with a catchy tune in your head, HumBeatz offers a fun and creative way to turn your ideas into music.
So there you have it, five of the coolest new apps for musical composition in 2024. Whether you're a seasoned composer or just starting out, these innovative tools are sure to inspire your creativity and take your musical compositions to new heights. So fire up your smartphone or tablet, download your favorite apps, and get ready to unleash your musical genius like never before.
#MUSICIsMyRefuge
The publishers of StringOvation, Connolly Music, invite you to share your composition(s) with the world. Post your performance on your Facebook page with the hashtag #MusicIsMyRefuge (make sure your post is shareable). You could reach over 150,000 folks and bring some much needed light into their worlds. See our announcement below:
Sponsored by Thomastik-Infeld
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Editors' Note: This article was originally published in 2018, was updated Sept. 27, 2019, and most recently on April 9, 2024.
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