Scope of the ISMN
The ISMN is used to identify music publications, whether available for sale, hire, gratis or for copyright purposes only.
The ISMN is not targeted at sound or video recordings (except in the rare case noted below): while there is no international identification system for these items, individual sound recordings are identified by the International Standard Recording Code (ISRC). The ISMN is not used for books on music, which will receive an International Standard Book Number.
Each separately available constituent part of a publication must receive its own ISMN.
Items to be given ISMNs
- Scores
- Miniature (study) scores
- Vocal scores
- Sets of parts
- Separately available individual parts
- Pop folios
- Anthologies
- Other media that are an integral component of a music publication (e.g., a tape recording that is one of the “parts” of a composition)
- Song texts or lyrics published with the printed music (if available separately)
- Commentaries published with the printed music (also available separately)
- Song books (but please also see Crossover Product, below)
- Micro-form music publications
- Braille music publications
- Electronic publications
Items NOT to be given ISMNs
- Books on music
- Stand-alone sound or video recordings (including recordings available on computer media)
- Periodicals and series as a whole, as distinct from individual volumes in series (see Series, below)
Crossover Product
It is sometimes difficult to decide whether a publication (such as a song book, a hymnal, an album with extensive textual or illustrative material) is a music edition, a “normal” book, or both. There are also some music publications that may be distributed through the book trade. In these cases an ISBN may be assigned IN ADDITION TO an ISMN and both numbers used on the publication. If the publisher only wishes to use one type of number, the ISMN may be preferred in case of doubt.
If you have any queries as to which number should be used, please contact the UK ISMN Agency:
UK ISMN Agency
MPA
6th Floor, British Music House
26 Berners Street
London W1T 3LR
UK
Tel: 020 7637 4025
e-mail: info@mpaonline.org.uk
Series
In addition to ISMN and ISBN, a complementary numbering system for serial publications is also in existence, the International Standard Serial Number (ISSN).
A serial is defined as any publication, regardless of medium, issued in successive parts, often bearing numerical or chronological designations, and intended to be continued indefinitely. (Serials should be distinguished from multi-volume publications, which are intended to be complete in a finite number of volumes.)
Series include periodicals and series. There are only a few periodicals of printed music, but many music publications are issued in series. Both categories should be assigned an ISSN for the serial title (which will remain the same for all the issues of a periodical or individual volumes of a series) and an ISMN for each individual item in the series. (If the serial title changes, a new ISSN is necessary.)