Here you will find a list of some of the music books I have written. If you would like me to take you chapter by chapter through a given book please contact me.
Please use the Amazon US and UK links provided to buy these books.
Music Theory for Computer Musicians (US)
Music Theory for Computer Musicians (UK)
Many DJs, gigging musicians, and electronic music producers understand how to play their instruments or make music on the computer, but they lack the basic knowledge of music theory needed to take their music-making to the next level and compose truly professional tracks.
Beneath all the enormously different styles of modern electronic music lie certain fundamentals of the musical language that are exactly the same no matter what kind of music you write. It is very important to acquire an understanding of these fundamentals if you are to develop as a musician and music producer. Put simply, you need to know what you are doing with regard to the music that you are writing.
Music Theory for Computer Musicians explains these music theory fundamentals in the most simple and accessible way possible. Concepts are taught using the MIDI keyboard environment and today’s computer composing and recording software. By reading this book and following the exercises contained within it, you, the aspiring music producer/computer musician, will find yourself making great progress toward understanding and using these fundamentals of the music language. The result will be a great improvement in your ability to write and produce your own original music!
For a good review of this book check out this.
Composition for Computer Musicians (US)
Composition for Computer Musicians (UK)
Want to compose your own digital music? This friendly guide explains the basics of composing songs and music on the computer, using any music-creation-and-recording program, whether you choose Reason, Live, Cubase, Logic, Pro Tools, Digital Performer, Finale, Sibelius, Fruity Loops, Sonar, etc.
It’s not as hard as it sounds, and this book eases the learning curve so you’ll be making music in no time. You’ll quickly learn how to set up you computer, program rhythm and drums, create bass lines and melodic leads, and use FX and samples. You’ll also learn to mix and master your track and distribute it to a mass audience. “Composition for Computer Musicians” explains it all while showing you the basics of music theory throughout – so you’ll be sure you’re not just making noise on the computer, you’re using your computer to make professional-sounding music.
Harmony for Computer Musicians (US)
Harmony for Computer Musicians (UK)
Home music producers now have access to a wide variety of software synthesizers, samplers, and FX devices on their computers — devices that had previously been available only in expensive hardware forms.
Although computer musicians often show a high degree of skill and expertise with the technology they use to produce their music, many mistakenly assume that this is all they need to produce quality tracks.
Yet there is often a vital ingredient missing: a useful knowledge of the way the language of music actually works — an understanding of the ingredients of music and how they are put together; what scales, chords, modes, and keys are; and the principles of arrangement, melody, and harmony.
In other words, computer musicians may have learned how to use their instruments, but this does not necessarily mean that they know how to create professional-sounding music using those instruments.
This book was written to help computer musicians grow in their knowledge of musical harmony, knowledge that is essential for the skilled creation of complex musical works.
Topics include intervals, tonality and the key system, part writing, triads, tonic and dominant harmony, modulation, and modal interchange and harmony. Techniques are taught using the tools computer musicians are most familiar with. Rather than using a conventional score format, most of the materials are presented in the familiar piano roll format of computer music sequencing programs.
For practice, the companion CD contains numerous short exercises that will considerably improve the musician’s skill in the art of musical harmony.
The Way: Philosophy and Music in Ancient China (US)
The Way: Philosophy and Music in Ancient China (UK)
This book undertakes a brief exploration of the fascinating topic of ancient Chinese music. Written in two parts, the first part examines: the mysteries of the Dao the dialectical philosophy of yin and yang the ideas behind the ancient Chinese Book of Changes wu xing: the philosophy of five elements that was seen to provide the key to a ‘grand theory of everything.’
Part two explores some of the unique features of ancient Chinese music and tries to answer certain key questions how could music help to maintain the harmony between heaven, earth and humanity? how might the tuning of a musical scale affect the welfare of the people of society? how could music be used as an aid to enlightenment? how was music used for healing? If these questions interest you, then this book is for you.
Microtonality in Ancient Greek Music (US)
Microtonality in Ancient Greek Music (UK)
This book represents a study of the fascinating subject of the musical scales and modes of ancient Greek music. Although it is well known that the West inherited its musical scales from ancient Greece via the church, less well known perhaps, is the fact that ancient Greek musicians enjoyed the use of a much wider spectrum of scales and modes, many of which used microtones.
Included is a study of these scales and modes, together with the information required for those musicians and composers who may wish to try these scales out in their own music productions. Utilizing the fine tuning capabilities of modern music software, this represents an intriguing and ever-growing area of musical research and development which should interest every open-minded musician.
Mindfulness, Meditation and Self Development (US)
Mindfulness, Meditation and Self Development (UK)
Meditation is well-known for its capacity to reduce stress, increase well-being and bring a sense of joy and lightness to our lives. In this clearly written but comprehensive introduction to meditation and mindfulness practice by author Dr Michael Hewitt you will learn five of the most effective techniques of meditation – mindfulness, visualization, contemplation, dwelling and meditation.
The regular practice of these will enable you to live a life that is free of unnecessary stress, anxiety and negativity, take control of your life once more, effectively manage your thinking and moods and begin to unleash the tremendous powers of your innate creativity.
Musical Scales of the World (US)
Musical Scales of the World (UK)
This book is a must for musicians, composers and music producers who want to explore the fascinating variety of musical scales that are now used in world music.
Included are hundreds of scales from around the world such as: • major and minor scales of Western music, • diatonic modes, • pentatonic scales, • scales used in jazz and bebop, • artificial and synthetic scales, • scales of Greek folk music, • pentatonic scales of Japanese and Chinese music, • Ethiopian kiñit, • African kora scales, • scales of Indonesian gamelan music, • equal tone scales of Thailand and Burma, • musical scales of classical Indian music and more.
Each scale is presented in multiple formats including guitar tab, keyboard, note names, staff and where appropriate, details of fine tuning. A transposition pattern is also given for each scale, which enables the musician to practise and play the scale in any key required. An explanation of each scale, together with a description of its characteristics is also provided.
Production Music: A Beginner’s Guide (US)
Production Music: A Beginner’s Guide (UK)
If you are interested in this book, it may be because you have an initial interest in production music, but aren’t sure how to take it further. You may be a musician looking for an additional revenue stream. You may have excellent music stored on your computer that you don’t know what to do with.
Alternatively, you may have watched television, heard the music they used, and thought “I could do better!”. Regardless of your reasons for reading, this book will help you. In comparison with the popular music industry, production music is an industry that remains hidden in the shadows.
However, the sums of money flowing through it are extraordinary. In this book we will uncover the secrets of production music. Within it’s chapters, we will explore:- What production music is How it is made How it is sold How it is used How to sell your own production music The laws that govern production music
Musical Scales and Arpeggios for Easy Piano (US)
Musical Scales and Arpeggios for Easy Piano (UK)
If you are learning to play the piano or keyboard you will greatly benefit from the regular practice of musical scales and arpeggios. Intended for beginners, this practice will help to instill in you the principles of good playing technique, as well as helping to establish a good knowledge of the Western key system.
Learning to play scales and arpeggios within all of the different keys that are available to you will also help to familiarize you with all of the individual keys and the ranges of notes they employ. If you compose, improvise or produce your own music, this is vital knowledge that will provide a good foundation for the composer’s art of harmony.
This manual includes: major scales in all twelve keys, harmonic minor scales in all twelve keys, melodic minor scales in all twelve keys, the chromatic scale, arpeggios in all twelve major and minor keys and an extensive theory section explaining musical scales and the key system.
Fifty Traditional and Classical Pieces for Easy Piano (US)
Fifty Traditional and Classical Pieces for Easy Piano (UK)
If you are just starting to learn the piano or keyboard, you will benefit by having access to plenty of beautiful, yet easy to play pieces of music. The aim of this album is to provide just that: fifty well known but easy to play pieces of traditional and classical music specifically arranged for easy piano.
Music Theory Tutor 