Music Books

Home About Music Books Children's books Biography Fiction Humour News Contact

Music Books

These two books cover all the requirements for both the National 5 and Higher courses in the Scottish secondary school music curriculum.

How to Pass National 5 Music (second edition)

‘This book contains all the advice and support you need to revise successfully for your National 5 exam. It combines an overview of the course syllabus with advice from a top expert on how to improve exam performance, so you have the best chance of success.’ (Hodder Education)

How to Pass National 5 Music is the fourth book written by Joe McGowan for the Hodder Gibson How to Pass series of course and revision texts for the Scottish schools curriculum.

Get your best grade with the SQA endorsed guide to National 5 Music

Click to view details or purchase

A comprehensive and up-to-date 146-page guide and revision book for the Higher Music course, with almost 5 hours of free accompanying online video and audio material.

Containing musical concept and literacy exercises, specimen question paper, composing workshop and an extended chapter on practising and performing music, as well as loads of expert revision

and exam tips along the way. The book is also supported by resources on the jm-education website.

The jm-education Guide to Higher Music

Click to view details or purchase

Joe McGowan has published nearly 40 music-related books, beginning in 2005 with ‘How to Pass Standard Grade Music’ by Hodder Education, and since 2020 through jm-education, his own online education site. These include school curriculum revision textbooks, a full composing workshop and a music-themed word search book, as well as a wide range of specialist manuscript paper and resources. Click on a category to view individual books.

All of these music titles are produced by Joe McGowan without the use of AI.

S c h o o l C u r r i c u l u m

C o m p o s i n g

M u s i c P u z z l e B o o k

B l a n k M a n u s c r i p t P a p e r

T a b P a p e r

4 -S t r i n g i n s t r u m e n t s

5 -S t r i n g i n s t r u m e n t s

6 -S t r i n g i n s t r u m e n t s

P e r c u s s i o n

C h o r d B o x e s

S o n g w r i t e r s

P i a n o

E n s e m b l e s

J o u r n a l s

M a n u s c r i p t P a p e r + C l e f s

Gain the confidence to work with sound loops and compose original computer-based music with this complete and easy-to-follow composing workshop.

From initial ideas to completed piece, this step-by-step workshop guides you through the processes involved in creating a multi-track instrumental composition based on the style of minimalism using a Digital Audio Workstation as a composing and production tool.

Supported by online video and audio resources, musical references, notation examples and professional tips.

The jm-education Guide to Composing Techniques: Minimalism.

Music Word Search & Criss Cross Puzzle Book

125 Music-based puzzles for recreation or education
Comprising 100 Word Search Puzzles & 25 Criss Cross puzzles
Covers music and composers from the medieval period to the present day
Improve your musical knowledge while at leisure
Can be used by students for entertaining revision
Easily expand or revise your general musical knowledge at your leisure with this specially structured puzzle book.

C l i c k t o v i e w d e t a i l s o r p u r c h a s e

100 blank music manuscript pages; 12 staves per page
6 additional lined pages for note-taking or lyrics
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for songwriters, composers, arrangers, tutors and students
Completely original content designed and produced by the author

100 blank music manuscript pages; 14 staves per page
6 additional lined pages for note-taking or lyrics
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for songwriters, composers, arrangers, tutors and students
Completely original content designed and produced by the author

C l i c k t o v i e w d e t a i l s o r p u r c h a s e

100 blank music manuscript pages; 6 staves per page
6 additional lined pages for note-taking or lyrics
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for songwriters, composers, arrangers, tutors and students
Completely original content designed and produced by the author

C l i c k t o v i e w d e t a i l s o r p u r c h a s e

100 blank music manuscript pages; 10 staves per page
6 additional lined pages for note-taking or lyrics
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for songwriters, composers, arrangers, tutors and students
Completely original content designed and produced by the author

C l i c k t o v i e w d e t a i l s o r p u r c h a s e

100 blank music manuscript pages with treble clef; 6 large staves per page
6 additional lined pages for note-taking or lyrics
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for songwriters, composers, arrangers, tutors and young learners
Completely original content designed and produced by the author

100 blank music manuscript pages with bass clef; 6 large staves per page
6 additional lined pages for note-taking or lyrics
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for bass & cello players, tutors, students and young learners
Completely original content designed and produced by the author

C l i c k t o v i e w d e t a i l s o r p u r c h a s e

100 blank music manuscript pages with alto clef; 6 large staves per page
6 additional lined pages for written notes
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Perfect for written viola music examples and young learners
Handy resource for tutors and students

100 blank music manuscript pages with tenor clef; 6 large staves per page
6 additional lined pages for written notes
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Perfect for written trombone music examples, compositions and young learners
Handy resource for tutors and students

C l i c k t o v i e w d e t a i l s o r p u r c h a s e

100 blank music manuscript pages with treble clef; 10 staves per page
6 additional lined pages for note-taking or lyrics
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for songwriters, composers, arrangers, tutors and students
Completely original content designed and produced by the author

100 blank music manuscript pages with bass clef; 10 staves per page
6 additional lined pages for note-taking or lyrics
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for bass & cello players, tutors, students and young learners
Completely original content designed and produced by the author

C l i c k t o v i e w d e t a i l s o r p u r c h a s e

100 blank music manuscript pages with alto clef; 10 staves per page
6 additional lined pages for written notes
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Perfect for written viola music examples and young learners
Handy resource for tutors and students

100 blank music manuscript pages with tenor clef; 10 staves per page
6 additional lined pages for written notes
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Perfect for written trombone music examples, compositions and young learners
Handy resource for tutors and students

C l i c k t o v i e w d e t a i l s o r p u r c h a s e

100 blank music tab pages; 10 staves per page
6 additional lined pages for note-taking or lyrics
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for musicians, tutors and students
Completely original content designed and produced by the author

100 blank music staff & tab pages for 4-string instruments; 5 double staves per page
6 additional lined pages for note-taking or lyrics
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for musicians, tutors and students
Completely original content designed and produced by the author

4-String Instruments

C l i c k t o v i e w d e t a i l s o r p u r c h a s e

100 blank music staff & tab pages; 5 double staves per page
6 additional lined pages for note-taking or lyrics
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for musicians, tutors and students
Completely original content designed and produced by the author

100 blank music tab pages; 8 staves per page
6 additional lined pages for note-taking or lyrics
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for musicians, tutors and students
Completely original content designed and produced by the author

6-String Instruments

C l i c k t o v i e w d e t a i l s o r p u r c h a s e

100 blank music tab pages; 10 staves per page
6 additional lined pages for note-taking or lyrics
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for musicians, tutors and students
Completely original content designed and produced by the author

100 blank music staff & tab pages for 5-string instruments; 5 double staves per page
6 additional lined pages for note-taking or lyrics
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for musicians, tutors and students
Completely original content designed and produced by the author

5-String Instruments

100 chord box and fretboard grid pages (in 5 different layout formats)
Can be used to illustrate chords, scale patterns in any fretboard position, and numerical note sequences
6 additional lined pages for note-taking
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for producing musical examples/reference material etc., tutors and students

4-String Instruments

100 chord box and fretboard grid pages (in 5 different layout formats)
Can be used to illustrate chords, scale patterns in any fretboard position, and numerical note sequences
6 additional lined pages for note-taking
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for producing musical examples/reference material etc., tutors and students

5-String Instruments

C l i c k t o v i e w d e t a i l s o r p u r c h a s e

100 chord box and fretboard grid pages (in 5 different layout formats)
Can be used to illustrate chords, scale patterns in any fretboard position, and numerical note sequences
6 additional lined pages for note-taking
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for producing musical examples/reference material etc., tutors and students

6-String Instruments

C l i c k t o v i e w d e t a i l s o r p u r c h a s e

Songwriters’ Manuscript Paper

100 blank staff & lyric line pages manuscript pages; 8 staves per page
6 additional lined pages for note-taking
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for songwriters, composers, tutors and students
For professionals, tutors or students

Piano & Soloist Manuscript Paper

100 blank manuscript pages with clefs and connecting brackets; 3 triple stave systems per page
Specifically for scoring a vocal or instrumental part with piano accompaniment
6 additional lined pages for note-taking
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Handy resource for composers, arrangers, songwriters, tutors and students

C l i c k t o v i e w d e t a i l s o r p u r c h a s e

100 blank manuscript pages with treble and bass clefs; 5 double staves per page
6 additional lined pages for note-taking or lyrics
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for pianists, composers, tutors and students

Piano Manuscript Paper

C l i c k t o v i e w d e t a i l s o r p u r c h a s e

100 blank music manuscript pages with connecting brackets for duet or piano music; 5 double staves per page
For scoring vocal or instrumental duet music or piano compositions/examples
6 additional lined pages for note-taking
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for performers, composers, tutors and students.

Duet Manuscript Paper

Trio Manuscript Paper

100 blank music manuscript pages with connecting brackets; 4 trio staves per page
For scoring instrumental or vocal trio music and harmony examples
6 additional lined pages for note-taking
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for composers, performers, tutors & students

100 blank music manuscript pages with connecting brackets; 3 quartet staves per page
For scoring instrumental or vocal quartet music & harmony examples
6 additional lined pages for note-taking
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Handy resource for composers, performers, tutors and students

Quartet Manuscript Paper

String Quartet Manuscript Paper

100 blank music manuscript pages with clefs & connecting brackets; 3 string quartet staves per page
For scoring string quartet compositions, arrangements and examples
6 additional lined pages for note-taking
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Ideal for composers/arrangers, performers, tutors and students

Choir Manuscript paper

100 blank music manuscript pages with clefs and connecting brackets; three 4-part choir staves per page
For easy scoring of SATB choir music and harmony examples
6 additional lined pages for note-taking
7 helpful music theory reference pages
Handy resource for composers/arrangers, conductors, tutors and students

C l i c k t o v i e w d e t a i l s o r p u r c h a s e

● 104 blank and lined journal pages for notes, photos, memos etc.

● 52 technical, historical and fun facts relating to the acoustic guitar (one on every double page)

● Uniquely designed pages for important dates & events, contact names, addresses/emails and social media information

● Music theory reference pages

● Blank music manuscript for noting musical ideas

Teachers’ Assignment Logbook

Bespoke tables for recording lesson or assignment instructions, dates and follow-on tasks, with adjacent lined pages for additional notes
Pages for noting important events and dates
Pages for documenting useful online resources and websites
Contact list pages