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MuseScore

DESIGN
Velocity2.5

Music notation and composition software

musescore.org ↗

MuseScore Studio 4.7 introduced substantial engraving and audio engine improvements in May; subsequent releases are stability patches.

music-notationaudio-engineengravingopen-sourcecreative-toolsscore-editing
◆Current state
MuseScore Studio is in the maintenance phase of the 4.7 minor release, with five patch releases since the 4.7.0 launch in May 2026. The patches address crashes, engraving edge cases (page numbers, bends, piano pedal hooks), MusicXML import/export, and instrument library additions (East-Asian instruments, fretboard diagrams). The 4.7.0 release itself added new engraving tools (arrowheads on text lines, chord brackets, chord parenthesization), significant guitar workflow updates, and audio engine improvements.
◆Where it's heading
MuseScore is in a predictable release cadence: a significant minor version every few months with new notation and playback features, followed by a series of point releases that stabilize the release before the next cycle. The guitar-specific features and East-Asian instrument additions reflect an ongoing effort to broaden notation coverage for non-Western and contemporary styles. The audio engine upgrades in 4.7.0 are the most architecturally significant recent change.
◆Prediction
A 4.8.0 release is likely the next milestone, continuing the pattern of new engraving capability additions. The audio engine work in 4.7 suggests continued investment in playback quality — possibly extended soundfont support or improved MIDI expression handling.

◆Recent moves

  1. 7d ago

    MuseScore Studio 4.7.5 Release

    4.7.5 adds new fretboard diagrams and instrument definitions while fixing crashes on score open and import. Routine point release in the 4.7 maintenance cycle.

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  2. 2mo ago

    MuseScore Studio 4.7.4 Release

    4.7.4 adds East-Asian instrument definitions and fixes minor engraving and accessibility bugs. Library additions and polish, no functional changes.

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  3. 3mo ago

    MuseScore Studio 4.7.3 Release

    4.7.3 fixes crashes and adds a low-pass filter disable option for MS Basic — addressing an audio output complaint from users finding certain instruments too quiet after the 4.7 audio engine changes.

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  4. 3mo ago

    MuseScore Studio 4.7.2 Release

    4.7.2 continues stability work with page number, bend, and chord symbol fixes alongside MusicXML import/export enhancements. Standard mid-cycle stabilization.

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  5. 4mo ago

    MuseScore Studio 4.7.1 Release

    4.7.1 focuses on startup stability improvements — the most common critical failure mode for notation software, addressed in the first patch after a major release.

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  6. 4mo ago

    MuseScore Studio 4.7.0 Release

    4.7.0 is the substantive release in this window: new engraving tools (arrowheads, chord brackets, parenthesized chords), guitar workflow updates, and audio engine improvements. The engraving additions extend what can be notated directly in MuseScore without workarounds, and the audio engine work is the foundation the subsequent patches have been stabilizing.

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