XML 2001
MusicXML: An Internet-Friendly Format for Sheet Music
Michael Good
Originally published in Proceedings of XML 2001 (Boston, December 9-14, 2001).
Copyright © 2001 Michael Good.
Abstract
The downloadable sheet music market has been constrained by reliance on proprietary binary formats. MusicXML is a new Internet-friendly format for representing sheet music and music notation. We introduce the basics of MusicXML design, using examples from current software to illustrate MusicXML’s advantages over previous music interchange formats. We conclude by discussing the new types of music use that MusicXML makes possible, and how this fits in with ongoing XML development efforts.
- The Need for a New Music Interchange Format
- MusicXML’s Approach to Music Interchange
- Elements of MusicXML Design
- Freedom of Choice for Music Software Developers
- Future Directions
- Acknowledgements
- Bibliography
- Glossary
- Biography
