Graphical scores are visual representations of music that use symbols, shapes, and lines instead of traditional musical notation. They allow composers to convey their ideas in a more abstract way, enabling performers to interpret the music creatively. This approach can include various elements like colors, textures, and spatial arrangements, making each performance unique. These scores are often used in contemporary classical music and experimental genres, where traditional notation may not fully capture the composer's intent. Composers like John Cage and Karlheinz Stockhausen have popularized this method, encouraging musicians to explore new ways of interpreting sound and performance.