Free Guitar & Music Software

Good software does not have to be expensive. In fact, there are lots of good freeware music software programs. Whether you need a metronome, a score writer, or want to do multi-track recording, there is good free software to download. Some are light versions of more expansive versions. Others are completely free. If you really like the programs you can encourage the authors by sending them a donation. The software programs and online resources below are some that I use and like the best.  - John Chamley

Free Guiter & Music Software
Title Type Link Description
Audio
Convert to mp3 Audio http://lamexp.sourceforge.net/ I used this on XP but despite its name, it works fine on Win 7 64bit too. You need "lame" and other software for it to run. Links are provided during install.
Digital Recording
Audacity Digital Recording http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ Very useful recording and editing multi-track software. With the "Lame" plugin you can also output mp3s.
Reaper Digital Recording http://www.reaper.fm/ Unrestricted trial license. Powerful, easy to setup and more intuitive than Cubase products that came with several of my recording devices.
Ear Training
Functional Ear Trainer Ear Training http://www.miles.be Basic & advanced versions available to practice relative pitch and note intervals. *****
GNU Solfage Ear Training http://www.solfege.org Nice ear training software. Free software - not totally polished but gets the job done and fun to use. Contains a help file with theory explanations.
Guitar Scale and Learning Software
Guitar Scale Viewer Guitar Scale and Learning Software http://www.sound.jp/scale_viewer/ Fretboard display with chords & scales, including greek modes, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese scales. A "must have" for anyone interested in scales and modes and chords.
NoteCard - fretboard learning software Guitar Scale and Learning Software http://familygames.com/freelane.html Goes up to 7th fret and also has piano notes
Transposer 2 Guitar Scale and Learning Software http://www.worshipmusic.com/gen-trans-pc.html This is a great little software. It raises and lowers pitch of mp3s. It also slows down or speeds up. Trial version does all this but can't save to a file.
Metronome
Metronome EXP Metronome http://download.cnet.com/Metronome-EXP/3000-2133_4-75442512.html Nice BIG display. Easy to use. A current favorite for a simple clicker. Has other features I didn't explore.
Web Metronome Metronome http://webmetronome.com/ Simple and very nice. There is nothing to download, just set the tempo and beat, then click and play.
Weird Metronome Metronome http://www.weirdmetronome.com/ Despite it's name, this is a nice easy to use metronome that can also create MIDI drum sequences.
Music Notation Software
Finale Notepad Music Notation Software http://www.finalemusic.com/ An inexpensive and functional version ($10?) of the Finale suite called Notepad gives usable standard notation and tab. Some limitations may make you want to upgrade. I personally use PrintMusic.
Impro-visor Music Notation Software http://www.cs.hmc.edu/~keller/jazz/improvisor/ Notation and improvisation software. Stumbled upon it, but not spent time with it yet. Looks like an awesome open-source contribution from Mr. Robert M. Keller. of Harvey Mudd College
LilyPond Notation Software Music Notation Software http://lilypond.org/web/ If you have patience to learn this, you can make great looking standard notation on this open source software.
Noteflight Music Notation Software http://www.noteflight.com Free limited online account with paid upgrades including advanced MIDI options. Standard notation only - no TAB.
Power Tab Music Notation Software http://www.power-tab.net/guitar.php Download and play 1000s of tab songs that play on Power Tab software. Create your own Guitar and Bass TAB & standard notation.
Scorio Music Notation Music Notation Software http://www.scorio.com Online score writer for standard notation (no TAB). Save music online. Free accounts.
Music Notation Software
Tux Guitar Music Notation Software http://www.tuxguitar.com.ar/ Free TAB and standard notation software that can read and write Guitar Pro files. I still love the advanced features of GP, but this is a great free alternative.