MusicXML Readiness Checklist

Check a MusicXML score before turning it into singing audio: lyrics, parts, voices, repeats, and instruments, with how to fix each in your notation app.

Why check the score first

Singing audio is only as good as the score it is read from. A MusicXML file can look right on screen and still hide problems: lyrics typed as text instead of attached to notes, two voices merged into chords, or a repeat written as a word rather than a barline. Run through these checks once before you generate, and each part sings the notes, words, and order you expect.

Preflight checklist

  1. 1Export as MusicXML. Save the score as .xml or .mxl from MuseScore, Finale, Sibelius, Dorico, or your notation app. A MIDI file has no lyrics or part names, and a PDF needs music recognition (OMR) first.
  2. 2Attach every syllable to its note. Enter lyrics with the lyric tool, not as staff or text boxes. Split words with hyphens between syllables, and extend a syllable held over several notes (a melisma) with an extender line.
  3. 3Name each part clearly. Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass, Voice, Piano: clear part names let you ask for the part you want by name.
  4. 4Keep each singing line separate. A choir score on two staves (SA and TB) is fine, as SightSinger can split it. Check that notes of different voices are written as separate voices, not merged into chords by accident.
  5. 5Number your verses. Enter each verse as its own lyric line (verse 1, 2, 3) so you can pick the verse to sing.
  6. 6Write repeats as notation. Use repeat barlines, first and second endings, and D.C., D.S., Coda, and Fine markings, not plain text, so the audio can play in performance order.
  7. 7Set an instrument for accompaniment parts. Choose the instrument (piano, guitar, strings) in your notation app so the accompaniment plays with the right sound.
  8. 8Add a tempo marking. A metronome mark at the start sets the speed of the audio; without one, a default tempo is used.
  9. 9Clean up leftovers. Remove hidden or cue notes, stray voices, and courtesy parts you don't want sung.
  10. 10Decide what you need first. Pick the section, verse, or voice part that needs a reference most, and start there.

Where to go next

Read the MusicXML guide

See how the checklist supports the full score-to-singing workflow.

Open the guide →

Validate with your own score

Move from planning into a real trial or demo when the score is ready.

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