melrose-mcp is a STDIO-based MCP server that uses packages from the melrōse tool to implement playback of musical expressions. melrōse itself is a tool for composing and performing music programmatically, using a custom language to write notes and create loops and tracks for playback.
In terms of main capabilities, this MCP server provides several callable operations: melrose_devices for viewing devices, melrose_change_output_device for changing the output device, melrose_bpm for adjusting the tempo in melrōse (including an example request for reducing the tempo), and melrose_play for playing tracks (including request and response examples). Through these operations, users can have an LLM trigger music playback based on natural language prompts, such as playing the music sequence C D E, playing the first measure of Für Elise, playing the famous tune from Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells, playing the notes of Frère Jacques, and playing a C# chord.
In terms of usage, installing this MCP server requires the Go SDK. To produce music, a MIDI receiver must be set up, such as a DAW or hardware synthesizer. When configuring it in a client, you can refer to the example of configuring it in Claude Desktop. To help the LLM better understand the Melrōse language, the context provided by the project can be used.
Regarding project collaboration and licensing, fixes, suggestions, and documentation improvements are all welcome. You can fork the project and submit small pull requests; larger changes can be discussed in the Issues list, and you can also sponsor Melrōse through GitHub Sponsors. The software is based on the MIT license, © 2025 ernestmicklei.com.
Applicable scenarios include using natural language prompts in MCP-supported clients such as Claude Desktop to have the LLM generate and play simple melodies, chords, or musical fragments, suitable for programming composition, music experimentation, and teaching demonstrations, among other uses. In terms of limitations, you must prepare a MIDI receiver (DAW or hardware synthesizer) yourself in order to hear sound, and the Go SDK must be installed; other specific features, fees, prices, platforms, or effects are not provided for now.
