1. A method for recognizing handwritten music notes, the method comprising steps of: recognizing notations within a notation category; receiving a plurality of input strokes corresponding to handwritten music notations; grouping nearby strokes to a first input stroke of the plurality of input strokes to make a stroke set; comparing the stroke set with the notations in the notation category; determining whether the stroke set is recognized as at least one candidate notation within the notation category; providing a candidate list of recognized candidate notations; and generating a music score based upon the recognized candidate notations.