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Denemo
What it is
Denemo is a free desktop music notation program for composing, transcribing, arranging, and listening to music. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with support for MusicXML, MIDI, parts extraction, and tablature. Users can enter music with a computer keyboard, MIDI controller, mouse, or microphone, and import Denemo files, MIDI, LilyPond, and MusicXML. While users work, Denemo uses LilyPond in the background to typeset notation. It supports figured bass, historical noteheads and barlines, chords, and tablature, and can be used to make exercise sheets, aural training, note-reading, and playing exercises. Scores can be printed or exported as images, MIDI, OGG, or WAV files. Denemo can route MIDI or audio to other applications such as JACK, and scores can contain LilyPond text and commands. It is free to use, share, and change under the GPL. The download page lists version 2.6, dated March 11, 2022, as the current stable release and warns that some links still point to version 2.2. The FAQ says its LilyPond parser may not work with many third-party LilyPond files, though it should work with Denemo’s own output.
For and against
For
- Free under the GPL
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Accepts keyboard, MIDI controller, mouse, or microphone input
- Prints or exports scores in several formats
- Supports tablature and parts extraction
Against
- Some download links still point to version 2.2
- LilyPond parser may not handle many third-party files
- Current stable release listed as version 2.6 from 2022
The verdict
Denemo offers a broad set of notation, input, and export tools at no charge. Check the download links carefully and note the stated limitation with third-party LilyPond files.
Who it suits
Denemo suits musicians who want desktop notation tools for composing, arranging, or transcribing, and educators creating music exercises. Its multiple input methods and export options may help users working with scores, MIDI, or audio.
Plans and prices
Denemo
Free to use, share, and change · GPL
Read 8 Oct 2026 · denemo.org
On the record
- Current stable version
- The download page lists version 2.6 as the current stable release, dated March 11, 2022.denemo.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- desktopdenemo.org · read 19 Sep 2026
- Download caveat
- The download page warns that some links still point to version 2.2 and says to look for version 2.6 links.denemo.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Educational use
- Denemo can be used to create exercise sheets, aural training, note-reading, and playing exercises.denemo.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Import
- Denemo can load Denemo files and import MIDI, LilyPond, and MusicXML.denemo.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Input methods
- Music can be entered with a computer keyboard, MIDI controller, mouse, or microphone input.denemo.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Denemo can route MIDI or audio data to other applications, such as JACK, and accepts LilyPond text and commands in the score.denemo.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Known import limitation
- The FAQ says Denemo’s LilyPond parser does not work on many third-party LilyPond files and should work on its own output.denemo.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- License
- The download page says Denemo is free of charge, free to use, share, and change, and is licensed under the GPL.denemo.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- MIDI support
- Yesdenemo.org · read 19 Sep 2026
- MusicXML support
- Yesdenemo.org · read 19 Sep 2026
- Notation features
- It supports historical and special notation including figured bass, historic noteheads and barlines, chords, and tablature.denemo.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Output
- Scores can be printed or exported as images, MIDI, OGG, or WAV files.denemo.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Parts extraction
- Yesdenemo.org · read 19 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Denemo is a free music notation program for composing, transcribing, arranging, and listening to music.denemo.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The community page directs users to a mailing list for usage questions and development news, and to email [email protected] because the project abandoned its forum.denemo.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Tablature support
- Yesdenemo.org · read 19 Sep 2026
- Typesetting
- Denemo uses LilyPond to typeset notation in the background while the user works.denemo.org · read 8 Oct 2026
