Music Preparation & Proofreading:
Polished, Error-Free Scores

Music proofreading costs $35 USD per hour ($49 CAD). The total price depends on score length, instrument count, and notation complexity. Minimum project fee: $39 USD. A free time estimate is provided before starting.

Music proofreading covers a comprehensive checklist of notation errors and formatting issues. We review and correct your existing score without changing the musical content — similar to copy editing in publishing.

We fix:

• Pitch errors: Wrong notes, accidentals, enharmonic spelling, and key signature mistakes
• Rhythm errors: Incorrect note durations, missing rests, and beam grouping issues
• Dynamics & articulations: Inconsistent markings, missing hairpins, and misplaced expression text
• Layout & spacing: Collision issues, cramped notation, inconsistent staff spacing, and awkward page turns
• Formatting: System breaks, rehearsal marks, instrument labels, and overall score consistency

You receive a polished, publish-ready score with professional engraving quality throughout. Accuracy guaranteed — any errors within the project scope are corrected at no extra charge. This is essential before performances, recordings, publishing, or competition submissions.

We accept source files from all major notation software and formats:

• Sibelius
• Dorico
• Finale
• MuseScore
• Guitar Pro
• PDF & MusicXML
• Scanned or handwritten scores

Working from an editable source file is faster and more cost-effective than PDF or scans. Our preference for the final layout is Dorico, as it offers the most powerful engraving and layout tools for professional results. We also work with Sibelius when needed. If you have a preference, let us know and we’ll accommodate it.

Most proofreading projects are completed within 2–3 business days. Larger scores (full orchestral works) may take longer. Rush delivery is available.

Yes, but we strongly recommend providing an editable source file (Sibelius, Dorico, Finale, MuseScore) whenever possible. Working from a PDF or scan requires more time and costs more, since we may need to re-engrave sections rather than simply correcting them.

Proofreading corrects errors in an existing digital score — wrong notes, rhythms, spacing, and formatting issues. Engraving creates a new digital score from scratch, typically from a handwritten manuscript, a rough notation file, or a scan.

The distinction depends on your starting point:

• You need proofreading if: You already have a score in notation software but it has errors, inconsistencies, poor layout, or is not performance-ready
• You need engraving if: You have a handwritten manuscript, rough draft, or scan that needs to be completely re-created as a clean digital file
• You may need both if: We engrave your handwritten manuscript and then proofread the result for complete accuracy

Pricing also differs: proofreading is $35 USD per hour, while engraving is $10–$20+ per page. Visit our music engraving service page for engraving details and pricing.

Yes to both. We proofread full scores and individual instrumental parts, checking for consistency between the score and parts, correcting cues, page turns, and rehearsal markings.

If you also need individual parts extracted and formatted from your full score, we offer a dedicated parts extraction service. We can combine proofreading and parts extraction into a single project.

Yes! We offer professional sheet music printing on premium paper with binding options. Whether you need individual copies or bulk orders, we handle everything from printing to binding and shipping. Learn more about our printing services →