Denemo
denemo.org
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 MusicXML, MIDI, parts extraction, and tablature support. Music can be entered through a computer keyboard, MIDI controller, mouse, or microphone. Denemo opens its own files and imports MIDI, LilyPond, and MusicXML. LilyPond typesets notation in the background while you work, and the program supports figured bass, historical noteheads and barlines, chords, and tablature. It can create exercise sheets, aural-training materials, note-reading exercises, and playing exercises. Scores may be printed or exported as images, MIDI, OGG, or WAV files. MIDI or audio can be routed to other applications such as JACK, and LilyPond text and commands can be included in a score. Denemo is free to use, share, and change under the GPL; the listed plan costs nothing. Version 2.6 is listed as the current stable release, dated March 11, 2022. Some download links still point to version 2.2.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Denemo is a free music notation program for composing, transcribing, arranging, and listening to music.Read 8 Oct 2026 · denemo.org
- Platforms
- The home page lists GNU/Linux, Mac OSX, and Windows; the download page provides packages for those platforms.Read 8 Oct 2026 · denemo.org
- Deployment
- desktopRead 19 Sep 2026 · denemo.org
- Free plan
- YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · denemo.org
- Integrations
- Denemo can route MIDI or audio data to other applications, such as JACK, and accepts LilyPond text and commands in the score.Read 8 Oct 2026 · denemo.org
- 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.Read 8 Oct 2026 · denemo.org
- License
- The download page says Denemo is free of charge, free to use, share, and change, and is licensed under the GPL.Read 8 Oct 2026 · denemo.org
- Current stable version
- The download page lists version 2.6 as the current stable release, dated March 11, 2022.Read 8 Oct 2026 · denemo.org
- Download caveat
- The download page warns that some links still point to version 2.2 and says to look for version 2.6 links.Read 8 Oct 2026 · denemo.org
- Educational use
- Denemo can be used to create exercise sheets, aural training, note-reading, and playing exercises.Read 8 Oct 2026 · denemo.org
- Import
- Denemo can load Denemo files and import MIDI, LilyPond, and MusicXML.Read 8 Oct 2026 · denemo.org
- Input methods
- Music can be entered with a computer keyboard, MIDI controller, mouse, or microphone input.Read 8 Oct 2026 · denemo.org
- 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.Read 8 Oct 2026 · denemo.org
- MIDI support
- YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · denemo.org
- MusicXML support
- YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · denemo.org
- Notation features
- It supports historical and special notation including figured bass, historic noteheads and barlines, chords, and tablature.Read 8 Oct 2026 · denemo.org
- Output
- Scores can be printed or exported as images, MIDI, OGG, or WAV files.Read 8 Oct 2026 · denemo.org
- Parts extraction
- YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · denemo.org
- Tablature support
- YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · denemo.org
- Typesetting
- Denemo uses LilyPond to typeset notation in the background while the user works.Read 8 Oct 2026 · denemo.org
Plans and prices
Denemo Free Free to use, share, and change · GPL Read 8 Oct 2026 · denemo.org
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free GPL software to use, share, and change
- Keyboard, MIDI, mouse, and microphone input
- Imports MIDI, LilyPond, and MusicXML
- Exports images, MIDI, OGG, and WAV
- Supports tablature and parts extraction
Limits
- Current stable version is dated March 11, 2022
- Some download links still point to version 2.2
- LilyPond parser may fail on many third-party files
- No free trial is listed
Who it suits
Denemo suits composers, arrangers, transcribers, educators, and performers who want free notation software with multiple input methods and LilyPond-based output. It also fits users needing tablature, MIDI, MusicXML, or educational exercise materials.
Verdict
Denemo offers broad notation input, import, notation, and export features at no cost under the GPL. Buyers should note the dated listed release and the documented limitation on importing many third-party LilyPond files.
Where Specifiction places it
- Music notation software#10 of 388.4
