A method and system for recognizing handwritten music notations is described. The method includes steps of recognizing notations within a notation category and receiving a plurality of input strokes corresponding to handwritten music notations. Nearby strokes may be grouped to a first input stroke of the plurality of input strokes to make a stroke set and the stroke set is compared with the notations in the notation category. A determination is made as to whether the stroke set is recognized as at least one candidate notation within the notation category, a candidate list of recognized candidate notations is provided, and a music score is generated based upon the recognized candidate notations.