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CLARA

Computer-Literate Arrangement by Recognition & Adaptation

Pattern-based music arrangement from melody to full score

How It Works

1

Upload Your Score

MusicXML, MIDI, or ABC notation

2

Choose a Style

Select from 16 arrangement styles and variants

3

Listen & Download

Preview, play back, and download MXL

Getting Your Music Into CLARA

MusicXML

The universal sheet music format. Preserves notes, rhythms, key signatures, and dynamics.

.mxl .xml .musicxml

MIDI

From any DAW, keyboard, or sequencer. Carries notes and timing.

.mid .midi

ABC Notation

Compact text format popular for folk and traditional tunes.

.abc

PDF / Paper

Use OMR software to convert scanned scores to MusicXML first.

via OMR

Export from notation software

MuseScore (free)

File → Export → MusicXML (.mxl)

Finale

File → Export → MusicXML

Sibelius

File → Export → MusicXML

Dorico

File → Export → MusicXML

Noteflight (free online)

File → Export → MusicXML

Flat.io (free online)

Export → MusicXML

From a PDF or paper score

Use optical music recognition (OMR) software to convert scanned or PDF sheet music into MusicXML. Free options include Audiveris (open-source, desktop) and MuseScore 4 (can import PDFs via its built-in OMR). For best results, use clear, high-resolution scans.

Other formats CLARA accepts

MIDI (.mid, .midi) — from any DAW, keyboard, or sequencer. MIDI carries notes and timing but not enharmonic spelling or lyrics.

ABC notation (.abc) — a compact text format popular for folk and traditional tunes. Thousands of free tunes are available at abcnotation.com.