MAY 23, 2024

Introducing Sibelius on Android and Chromebook

Sibelius is now available for Android and Chromebook devices, bringing it to millions more creators across the globe. Following the release of iPhone and iPad, this multi-year project to make Sibelius available to anyone, anywhere is now a reality.

Sibelius is free on the Google Play Store and you can download and install it here:

Sibelius for mobile is packed with features to allow you to create new scores, edit existing ones, and review scores on the go. Android users will now have ways to use touch and styluses directly in Sibelius. This includes actions like tapping or dragging notes, writing with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and more.

Current Sibelius desktop licenses will unlock the features of the new Android app.

If you missed the iPhone or iPad version, download that here.

GETTING STARTED

While the examples below show an Android tablet, all the same features are available on your Android phone and Chromebook too.

Navigating your score

Move the score by dragging the paper, and zoom in and out with the pinch gesture. Navigate quicker with Review Mode by clicking the padlock icon in the upper right-hand corner. With Review Mode on, you’re safe from making accidental changes while navigating.

Making a selection

To select an object in the score, tap it with your finger. To deselect, simply tap on empty space in your score. To make a lasso selection, tap, hold, and drag. To select a whole bar, tap the middle of it once and double tap to select the whole system. Triple tap to select the whole instrument within the score.

Note input using touch gestures

First, select where you would like to enter the note in the score by tapping. Then drag up and down on the Keypad to choose the pitch. The input caret line moves onto the next beat, ready for you to enter the next note.

When entering a note, slide left to add a flat or slide right to add a sharp.

Tap anywhere on the screen to exit note entry

Entering notes with a stylus

First, select the note value you’d like to enter into the score, and tap and lean into the page slightly to enter note input. Then you can freely tap with your stylus to enter further notes, changing the note value from the Keypad as you need.

Use the Chord Input Tool from the Keypad to add chords too.

Keyboard and mouse support

Selecting objects with the mouse is just like Sibelius on desktop, where you can simply click on the object you need selected.

Type N to enter note input mode, and 3 to select the 8th note/quaver, for example, then the letters A, B, C, D, E, and so on to enter those pitches into the score.

Use the arrow keys to move notes up and down in pitch, and Ctrl + arrow keys to jump up and down an octave.

With a selection in the score, type S to enter a slur, and H for a hairpin.

MARKING UP YOUR SCORE

The Create menu on the toolbar along the top is where you’ll find clefs, key signatures, and so on, and where you can add instruments to your score. Tap the + at the top of the screen to swipe through the various categories.

STARTING A NEW SCORE

Tap the < icon in the top left of the score and choose one of the options to save and close your score or close without saving. This will bring you to the native Android file browser.

To start a new score, click the ‘hamburger’ icon in the top left corner, choose Create New Score, and follow the guided process.

From there, you’ll see a list of files and folders to choose from (the same as those on iOS and desktop)—they range from scores with solo instruments to small and large ensembles and all the way up to huge film scores. From here, you can also find a collection of example scores. Choose the one you want by tapping on it. This will create your new score, ready for you to start writing your next piece.

To save, tap the < icon in the top left and choose Save. This will open the file browser again where you can give your file a name and choose where to save it on your device.

We’ve created this handy tutorial video to guide you through the process:

USING A STYLUS TO ENTER MUSIC

Sibelius includes several innovative features to help you enter music. Using a stylus can help you quickly enter notes and make edits. However, not all styluses come with the same capabilities, so it’s good to know what’s possible, depending on the features your stylus supports.

Touch only – these mimic the same interactions you’re able to do with your finger or a mouse pointer. You’ll be able to swipe left, right, up, and down when entering and editing notes on the Keypad, but pressure sensitivity and tilt won’t work.
Pressure sensitivity only – these devices will support tapping and dragging objects as well as features that are triggered when gently leaning into the screen with your stylus to enter note input. These don’t always support the tilt gesture.
Tilt capabilities – it’s likely these styluses will support pressure sensitivity too, so while you’re in note input, tilt up to change a note’s accidental, and tilt left and right to change the note duration.

AVAILABILITY

Sibelius is available across the iOS App Store and Google Play Store, and it’s free to download and get started straight away on your mobile device.

Sibelius comes in three tiers, which you can access via an in-app purchase subscription or by logging into your Avid account from the ... More menu within the app.

Sibelius First – Ideal for beginner composers and smaller ensembles with up to 4 staves.
Sibelius Artist – Ideal for more seasoned hobbyists and includes additional features for small ensembles and up to 16 staves.
Sibelius Ultimate – Ideal for professionals and hobbyists that need the most advanced composition features to work without limits.

For more details, here’s a full comparison.

HOW TO GET HELP

You can find answers to the most common questions on our dedicated knowledge base page located here. This will help you get up and running, and ensure you get the best out of the mobile app. We also have a suite of tutorial videos with more being added all the time located here.

We have strived to support as many devices as possible, and as this is our initial version on Android, we expect some users will have devices that won’t be able to install the application. If this is the case for you, the Google Play Store will notify you of the incompatibility. It’s important to know the system requirements we’re supporting in this version:

Android phones, tablets, and Chromebooks
Android 10 and later
Arm 64-bit
Intel x86-64 bit

What will not be supported in this initial version:

Android 9 and earlier
Arm 32-bit
Intel x86 (32-bit)

If you aren’t sure, check with your device manufacturer for details. Be sure to look up your exact model, as we’ve found some devices may be called the same but have different (and sometimes incompatible) components.

WHAT’S NEXT?

This has been a monumental effort for the whole Sibelius team and the hundreds of beta testers, and we’re really proud of what we have achieved so far. Next, we’re just as excited and look forward to bringing you new features in the mobile apps and across our desktop applications and cloud too, so keep an eye out for news!