Denemo is an open-source music notation editor that is completely free to use. The app allows you to create notation straight from input from instruments and work on almost every popular platform, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Thus, using Denemo, you can easily compose, arrange, transcribe, and create music. Furthermore, with an easy-to-use UI along with LilyPond, users are able to input music from several methods, even MIDI-powered virtual instruments. While the display shows standard musical notation, the app prepares LilyPond code behind the scenes, making it a unique notation editor. As such, using Denemo on Linux is very easy. Thus, if you want to install Denemo on Linux or any of its various distributions, simply follow the steps detailed in the guide below.
What Is Denemo?
As mentioned, Denemo is a powerful music notation editor, made for GNU/Linux systems. However, you can easily use it on any number of platforms, including Windows and macOS. Being an open-source project, it is a free-to-use app that can even give commercial apps a run for their money. Furthermore, the integration of LilyPond makes it unique in the way you can rapidly enter notation, and that too directly from an instrument. Other than that, you can use your keyboard, mouse, microphone, or MIDI controller for input.
With the help of LilyPond, Denemo is able to create beautiful sheet music that can be published directly. Although it will display staff simply while inputting, you are able to enter and edit music without effort. And the best thing is that all this typesetting is done in the background, while you work, so you won’t be distracted with the process, and focus entirely on creating masterful music sheets. Lastly, you can do some final tweaks with your mouse. However, you don’t have to re-position colliding notations constantly, as is the norm with other similar apps.
Lastly, Denemo offers other features as well that supplement music notation, such as features that support music education, theory exercises, and ear training tools. There is also support for MIDI playback that allows you to work in real time. Thus, as an open-source alternative, Denemo is in leagues with popular programs that offer the same service without charging you money.
How To Install Denemo on Linux?
Installing Denemo on Linux is very easy. There are several methods available. Although it is recommended that you download the tar package from the official website to install Denemo, you can still choose from a number of options based on your preferences. We have listed these options below. All you have to do is pick a suitable method to install Denemo on your Linux distribution.
Method 1. Install Denemo On Linux Using Package Managers
The easiest method is to install Denemo on various Linux distros using the native package managers. These repositories are maintained by the official distributors, and you don’t have to look elsewhere. By simply using the following commands for your particular distro, you can install the app:
Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt update
sudo apt install denemo
Fedora
sudo dnf install denemo
Arch Linux/Manjaro
sudo pacman -S denemo
RHEL/CentOS
On RHEL/CentOS systems, you will need the EPEL repository to install Denemo as it is unavailable in the official one. Thus,
Step 1. Start by enabling the EPEL Repository:
sudo dnf install epel-release
Step 2. Then, install Denemo:
sudo dnf install denemo
Gentoo
sudo emerge media-sound/denemo
OpenSUSE
sudo zypper install denemo
Alt Linux
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install denemo
Void Linux
sudo xbps-install -S denemo
Linux Mint
sudo apt update
sudo apt install denemo
NixOS
nix-env -iA nixpkgs.denemo
PCLinuxOS
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install denemo
FreeBSD
sudo pkg install denemo
Install Using Ports
cd /usr/ports/audio/denemo
sudo make install clean
OpenBSD
sudo pkg_add denemo
DragonFLy BSD
sudo pkg install denemo
Mageia
sudo urpmi denemo
Method 2. Install Denemo On Linux Using Flatpak
Flatpak is a popular third-party package manager that maintains its own repository. You can install Flatpak on a number of Linux distributions and use it to install any app that is available. So, if you want, you can install Flatpak on your device and then use it to install Denemo:
Step 1. First, install Flatpak on your system:
sudo apt install flatpak
Step 2. Now, add the Flathub repository:
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
Step 3. Finally, install Denemo via Flathub
flatpak install flathub org.denemo.Denemo
Method 3. Using Snap To Install Denemo
Similar to Flatpak, you can use Snap, which is yet another package manager that hosts various applications for Linux. It is also a universal package manager that can run on multiple distros. So, you can install Snap and then use it to get Denemo:
Step 1. First., install Snap:
sudo apt install snapd
Step 2. You will need the Snapd service, so enable it:
sudo systemctl enable --now snapd.socket
Step 3. Finally, you can install Denemo:
sudo snap install denemo
Method 4. Compile Denemo From Source
Alternatively, you can always build Denemo from scratch. This is the most reliable method, however, it does require somewhat advanced knowledge. Use it only if you want custom settings or features, or if you are a developer:
Step 1. First, you will need to install the various dependencies required for Denemo:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install git build-essential autoconf libgtk-3-dev libglib2.0-dev
Step 2. Now, you should clone the Denemo Repository from GitHub:
git clone https://git.savannah.gnu.org/git/denemo.git
cd denemo
Step 3. Lastly, you can build and install the app:
./autogen.sh
./configure
make
sudo make install
Method 5. Install Denemo via AppImage
Lastly, you can use AppImage to install Denemo on your device. For this, you have to:
Step 1. First, download the Denemo AppImage from the official website.
Step 2. Then, make the AppImage executable:/cod
chmod +x denemo-*.AppImage
Step 3. Finally, run Denemo:
./denemo-*.AppImage