I scan the music, and then I use SmartScore 64 Pro to recognize the scan. After correcting the few inevitable errors, I export the piece as XML, and import it into Finale. Save it as an MP3, and there you are! You can even skip the Finale step, and export MIDI or MP3 directly from SmartScore.

Thanks Mike, I will give that a try!

Scanning is a very hit and miss procedure. You must have good copy. If you have poor originals the scan is virtually useless.

SS64 Pro is probably the best choice but it is not cheap at $400. There is  demo that you can try first for free.

SS64 Pro is probably the best choice but it is not cheap at $400. 

Huh? That is incorrect.

Finale users have always been eligible for a 50% discount for certain Musitek products. Currently, we are eligible to purchase Smart Score 64 Pro for $199.00 or Songbook Edition for $99.00. They charge postage for a USB drive or a $10 download fee.

https://www.musitek.com/store/Fin2SS64.html  

Owners of other or earlier versions can upgrade to SS64 Pro at this link. When I upgraded, I was not charged the $10 download fee.

https://www.musitek.com/store/SS64UpgradeDL.html 

Music-to-XML owners can upgrade to SS64 Pro for $10 less than Finale owners. 

https://www.musitek.com/store/UpMusicToXML.html 

Music-to-XML ($99.99 in the Apple App or Microsoft Store) is a 'black box' app—you do not have the ability to edit before export. Although you have an upgrade path to SS64 Pro, it costs you $90 more by the time you are done.

https://www.musitek.com/music-to-xml.html 

Huh.........

You assumed he owns Finale. I did not! Perhaps the OP does or perhaps he intends on buying Finale?

Still correct and corrected...............

"Scanning is a very hit and miss procedure. You must have good copy. If you have poor originals the scan is virtually useless.

SS64 Pro is probably the best choice but it is not cheap at $400 or $200. There is  demo that you can try first for free."

Scanning is a very hit and miss procedure.

I call BS. Of course you need a printed, halfway decent original. But starting with that, SSP does an excellent job of recognition. It makes fewer mistakes than I would entering by hand, even if I copied from a perfect original.

If you're serious about your work, you buy the right tool. What's your time worth?