Introduction
This page contains basic information about some of the most common music scanning and score-writing software packages. Whilst we make every effort to ensure the contents of this page are up-to-date, we recommend you visit the relevant websites and contact the suppliers for specific information about latest releases, compatibility and accessibility with your preferred access technology.
Music scanning packages
SharpEye
SharpEye is a music scanning and recognition software package which can produce MIDI, NIFF and SharpEye's own output files. SharpEye 2 also exports MusicXML files which can be imported into other music notation editors for editing or translating into braile.
The website contains information regarding the product, system requirements etc, and links to other sites including music notation packages that import SharpEye's MIDI, NIFF, MusicXML, and .mro files. It is also possible to download a demo copy.
SharpEye is produced by Graham Jones of Visiv.
Email: support@visiv.co.uk
Whilst the basic functions of acquiring (scanning), reading (recognition), saving, exporting and listening to the resulting files is possible with a screen-reader, it is recommended that a sighted assistant check the scanned files against the print original to check their accuracy and make any changes in SharpEye before saving and exporting.
Score-writing software
There are many packages available for creating and editing music scores, from basic editors to professional level score-writing software. Musical notes can be entered via a MIDI keyboard, a standard QWERTY computer keyboard, or a mouse.
Examples of score-writing programs include Lime, Finale and Sibelius, which is by far the most commonly used in the UK.
Accessibility of score-writing software
Lime can be made accessible to JAWS with the use of Lime Aloud, a set of scripts produced by
Dancing Dots.
Version 7 of Sibelius, released in Summer 2011, includes enhanced keyboard access. To quote the
Sibelius website
"Sibelius 7 is the most accessible version ever. Every feature on the ribbon can be accessed via a special sequence of key presses called key tips. What's more, Sibelius now has built-in support for screen-reading software on Windows, making it more accessible than ever to blind and visually impaired musicians."
The Sibelius Accessibility blog has been created to give hints and tips to screen reader users in using the latest version of Sibelius, including an introduction to the new user interface.
Sibelius version 5.25 can be made accessible to JAWS using Sibelius Access, a set of JAWS scripts developed by Dan Rugman of Music Access and temporarily available from Raised Bar.
You can join the Sib-Access email discussion list for users of the Sibelius Access scripts for JAWS by sending an email to
sib-access-request@freelists.org with the word "subscribe" in the subject line.
Sibelius and Lime both work well in conjunction with widely used magnification packages, but we always strongly recommend checking the compatibility of your access technology before purchasing. For more advice, please contact the Music Advisory Service by emailing mas@rnib.org.uk or calling 020 7391 2273.
Funding
Financial assistance for the purchase of music technology and training may be available. Visit our music awards and funding page for further details.