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Welcome to MusicXML 3.0

What is MusicXML?

MusicXML is a standard open format for exchanging digital sheet music. It was designed from the ground up for sharing sheet music files between applications, and for archiving sheet music files for use in the future. You can count on MusicXML files being readable and usable by a wide range of music notation applications, now and in the future. MusicXML complements the native file formats used by Finale and other programs, which are designed for rapid, interactive use.

Just as MP3 files have become synonymous with sharing recorded music, MusicXML files have become the standard for sharing interactive sheet music. With MusicXML you can create music in one program and share your results – back and forth – with people using other programs. Today more than 180 applications include MusicXML support.

ClosedWhat's New

Version 3.0 of the MusicXML™ format was released in August 2011. Version 3.0 includes both a Document Type Definition (DTD) and W3C XML Schema Definition (XSD).

MusicXML 3.0 has three main areas of improvement compared to MusicXML 2.0:

  1. A standard taxonomy of 886 instrument sounds to allow better transfer of virtual instrument playback between applications.
  2. Coverage of more sheet music repertoires, including Chinese jianpu numbered notation, Turkish maqam music, Persian and Iranian music, and improved support for educational music.
  3. Support for newer and more detailed features of common Western music notation. This includes 20 features described in Elaine Gould's notation reference book, Behind Bars.

MusicXML 3.0 adds 76 new features compared to MusicXML 2.0, while staying compatible with earlier versions. All valid MusicXML 1.0, 1.1, and 2.0 files are also valid MusicXML 3.0 files. The MusicXML version history summarizes the changes since version 1.0.

ClosedFiles

If you start doing a MusicXML implementation, you will need to refer to the actual MusicXML Document Type Definitions (DTDs) or W3C XML Schema Definitions (XSD). These are distributed under the MusicXML Public License Version 3.0.

Download the MusicXML 3.0 definitions here:

 

MusicXML Documentation Home
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