What is Cubby Music Score Analyzer?
Cubby Music Score Analyzer is a tool for musicologists, students, and composers to analyze orchestral scores. It offers two analysis modes: High Level Overview for score metadata, structure, and harmony analysis, and In-Depth Analysis for detailed texture and orchestration annotation. Upload a MusicXML file and export your analysis to Excel, CSV, or JSON.
Analysis Modes
High Level Overview
Document the big picture: score metadata, movements, key/time signatures, instrumentation, harmony, and orchestration techniques.
- • Score information (title, composer)
- • Movements/Parts with bar ranges
- • Key & Time signatures
- • Instrumentation breakdown by family
- • Harmony analysis notes
- • Orchestration techniques
In-Depth Analysis
Detailed bar-by-bar texture annotation with layers and instrumentation for each section.
- • Section-by-section annotation
- • Texture type classification
- • Multi-layer instrumentation
- • Orchestration grid visualization
- • Export to Excel/CSV
Quick Start
- Choose a mode from the landing page (High Level or In-Depth)
- Upload a MusicXML file (.xml, .mxl, or .musicxml)
- Analyze using the tools provided for your chosen mode
- Switch modes using the toggle button (your data is preserved)
- Save your analysis as JSON to continue later
High Level Overview Guide
Score Information
- Title & Composer: Auto-extracted from MusicXML, editable if needed
- Measures: Total bar count from the score
Instrumentation Breakdown
Instruments are automatically categorized by family:
- Soloists: Solo parts (Solo Violin, etc.)
- Voices: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass, Choir
- Woodwinds: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, etc.
- Brass: Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, etc.
- Percussion: Timpani, Snare, Cymbals, etc.
- Keyboards: Piano, Organ, Harpsichord, Celesta
- Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Harp
Movements / Parts
Define the structure of your score:
- Click "+ Add Movement" to add a new movement
- Enter a name (e.g., "I. Allegro", "Introduction", "Exposition")
- Set the bar range (start and end measures)
- Click the checkmark to confirm, X to cancel
- Edit names or bar ranges inline after adding
Key & Time Signatures
- Auto-detected: Key and time signatures are extracted from MusicXML
- Shows changes: Displays measure numbers where signatures change
- Manual entry: If not detected, you can type them manually
- Examples: "D Major", "G Minor", "4/4", "3/4 at m. 16"
Orchestration Notes
Free-form text area for general observations about the orchestration, instrumentation choices, and notable features of the score.
Harmony Analysis
Three dedicated sections for harmonic analysis:
- Chord Progression: Document chord sequences, Roman numeral analysis
- Key Analysis: Modulations, tonicizations, cadences
- Voice Leading: Notes on voice leading, counterpoint, part writing
Orchestration Techniques
Document specific orchestration techniques:
- Doubling: Which instruments double each other, octave doublings
- Texture: Orchestral texture notes, tutti vs. chamber passages
- Dynamics: Dynamic markings, crescendos, orchestral balance
In-Depth Analysis Guide
Creating a Section
In the "Add Section Analysis" form:
- Section Label: Give it a name (e.g., "A", "B", "Intro", "Development")
- Bar Start / Bar End: Define the range of bars for this section
- Texture Type: Select the musical texture (see Texture Types below)
- Texture Details: Optional notes about the texture
- Add at least one Layer (see next step)
- Click "Add Section"
Adding Layers to a Section
Each section needs at least one layer. Click "+ Add Layer":
- Layer Detail: Describe the function (e.g., "Melody", "Bass line")
- Octave Range: Select the register (High, Mid-High, Mid-Low, Low)
- Instruments: Check from the list or type manually
- Click "Add This Layer"
Tip: Add multiple layers per section (melody + countermelody + accompaniment).
Using the Orchestration Grid
- Rows: Instruments (standard orchestral order)
- Columns: Bar numbers
- Colors: Indicate texture type (see legend)
- Hover: Over cells to see details
- Click: Any cell to select that bar
- Drag instruments: Reorder by dragging
- Zoom: Use +/- buttons to adjust size
Editing and Managing Sections
- Edit: Click "Edit" on any section to modify it
- Remove: Click "Remove" to delete a section
- Layers: Edit or remove individual layers within sections
Texture Types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Monophonic | Single melodic line with no accompaniment |
| Homophonic | Melody with chordal accompaniment |
| Polyphonic | Multiple independent melodic lines |
| Melody & Accompaniment | Clear melody with accompaniment pattern |
| Melody, Counter & Acc. | Main melody + countermelody + accompaniment |
| Bass Melody, Counter & Acc. | Melody in bass + counter + accompaniment |
| Growing Homophony | Texture building by adding voices |
Saving & Exporting
- Save Analysis (JSON): Saves all data from both modes - resume later
- Export to Excel: Creates a formatted .xlsx spreadsheet (In-Depth mode)
- Export to CSV: Comma-separated file for other software (In-Depth mode)
Tip: Save your JSON regularly. It preserves both High Level and In-Depth analysis.
Supported File Formats
Input:
.xml- Standard MusicXML.musicxml- MusicXML.mxl- Compressed MusicXML.json- Saved analysis
Output:
.json- Save analysis.xlsx- Excel.csv- CSV
Tips & Best Practices
- Start with High Level Overview to document structure before detailed analysis
- Use consistent section labels (A, B, C or descriptive names)
- Be specific in layer details - "Main theme in violins" beats "Melody"
- Save your JSON frequently to avoid losing work
- Use the Orchestration Grid to visualize gaps in your analysis
- Drag instruments in the grid to match your preferred score order