Choose the notation software you want to use. Ensure that the notation software has playback ability. Finale, the leading notation software on the market, allows you to write sheet music and then play it back. You can even select the instrument voice to sound more authentic. Noteflight is Web-based music notation that also allows you to play back your sheet music. Noteflight is a full-featured service available at no cost. The advantage of Finale software is the ability to select realistic human playback. With Noteflight, all playback is in a piano voicing.
Open your notation software or log into your Noteflight account. On the "File" menu, click "New" to start a blank document. Using the sheet music you want to hear played back, set up your blank document with the same clef sign, key signature and time signature as the sheet music you want to hear. Select the "Save" option on the "File" menu and title the song.
Enter notes, rests and dynamic markings on your blank digital document as they appear on the sheet music. Whether you use Finale or Noteflight, you enter notation by dragging the symbols from a floating palette to the music staff. Be sure you enter all markings and notation for an accurate reproduction.
Save your document under the "File" menu and give it a title. Besides saving your file as digital sheet music, both Noteflight and Finale allow you to save your sheet music as music files. Noteflight lets you save your sheet music as a .wav or midi file. Finale allows you to save to a high quality mp3 format, where you can listen to your sheet music as you read along.