Welcome to the Lead Sheet Editor, a powerful, minimalist web-based music notation tool designed for creating professional lead sheets with speed and precision.

1. Getting Started

Creating and Importing

• New Score: Simply start entering notes; the editor is ready from the first click.
• Import MusicXML: Click the Import button to upload your existing .musicxml or .xml files.
• Open Saved: Click Open to load your previously saved scores from the database.

Saving and Exporting

• Save to Database: Click Save to store your current project.
• Download XML: Export your work as a standard MusicXML file, compatible with Finale, Sibelius, and MuseScore.
• Auto-Sync: Your Title and Composer fields update in real-time as you type.

2. Navigation & View Modes

View Modes

Toggle between two layout styles using the Layout Toggle button:

• Panoramic Mode: A continuous horizontal system. Perfect for uninterrupted note entry.
• Page Mode: A standard vertical layout. Ideal for final formatting and seeing the page as it will print.

Smart Centering

In Panoramic Mode, the editor automatically keeps your current note or rest centered on the screen. As you type, the score smoothly “flows” to the left, ensuring your focus point is always in view.

3. Entering Music

Piano Keyboard

The interactive piano at the bottom allows for intuitive pitch entry.

• Show/Hide Piano: Click the Piano Icon to collapse or expand the keyboard.
• Computer Keyboard Support:
  • C, D, E, F, G, A, B: White keys (Z, X, C, V, B, N, M).
  • C#, D#, F#, G#, A#: Black keys (S, D, G, H, J).
• Octave Control: Use the Arrow Up and Arrow Down keys to shift octaves. A notification will appear even if the piano is hidden.

Durations & Symbols

• Note Value: Choose from Whole to 16th notes using the duration panel or Numpad 1–6.
• Dots & Rests:
  • Toggle Dot Mode (Numpad Decimal) to add rhythm dots.
  • Click the Rest Button (Numpad 0) to insert a rest of the current duration.
• Ties & Tuplets:
  • Use Tie (Numpad Enter) to link notes.
  • Use Tuplet (Numpad Divide) to create triplets or other complex rhythms.
• Enharmonics: Instantly toggle between sharp and flat equivalents (e.g., C# to Db) with the Enharmonic button (Numpad Subtract).

4. Editing Your Score

Selecting Elements

• Click any Notehead or Rest to select it.
• Click a Barline to select the boundary between measures.
• Press Arrow Left or Arrow Right to move selection.

Chords & Lyrics

1. Select a note.
2. Click Chord Mode (Piano Icon with letters) or Lyric Mode to show the input field.
3. Type your chord (e.g., Gmaj7, C#m7/E) or lyric text.
4. Chords and lyrics are instantly rendered above and below the staff.

5. Structural Elements & Layout

System Breaks

• Select a note or barline and click New System.
• The measure containing the selection will move to a new line.
• Pro Tip: The editor automatically justifies (stretches) the previous line to fit the full width of the score, creating a clean, professional finish.

Musical Symbols

Use the Structural Panel to add:

• Repeats: Forward and backward repeat bars.
• Markers: Segno, Coda, D.S., D.C., and Fine markers.
• Ending Brackets: Volta 1 and Volta 2 for alternate endings.

6. Shortcuts Summary

Enjoy creating beautiful music with the Lead Sheet Editor!