CLARA
Computer-Literate Arrangement by Recognition & Adaptation
Pattern-based music arrangement from melody to full score
Sing
Hymn Setting
Paste lyrics, pick a tune from 117 public domain melodies, and generate a fresh SATB or piano harmonization.
Choral Accompaniment
Hymns, anthems, chorales, and congregational singing. SATB input supported.
Vocal Harmonization
Turn a melody into multi-part vocal harmony — SATB or SAB parts ready for your choir.
Arrange
Ensemble Orchestration
Transform a piano score into chamber ensembles — strings, winds, brass, or a custom mix.
Solo Voice Accompaniment
Art songs, lieder, arias, and vocal solos. Piano supports the singer.
Solo Instrument Accompaniment
Sonatas, concertos, and chamber music. Piano accompaniment for any instrument.
Tools
Piano Reduction
Reduce an ensemble or orchestral score to a playable 2-hand piano arrangement.
Solo Transcription
Transcribe a solo work for a different instrument — cello suites for flute, violin partitas for trombone.
Chord Charter
Generate guitar chords above lyrics — perfect for worship leaders, campfire songs, and folk tunes.
How It Works
Upload Your Score
MusicXML, MIDI, or ABC notation
Choose a Style
Select from 16 arrangement styles and variants
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.
MIDI
From any DAW, keyboard, or sequencer. Carries notes and timing.
ABC Notation
Compact text format popular for folk and traditional tunes.
PDF / Paper
Use OMR software to convert scanned scores to MusicXML first.
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
Convert scanned or PDF sheet music into MusicXML using free tools like MuseScore 4 or Audiveris. See our step-by-step conversion guide for detailed instructions, including how to use your phone to capture paper scores.
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.