As someone who's scribbled on everything from napkins to expensive manuscript paper, this Hal Leonard notebook surprised me. The spiral binding doesn't just lie flat - it stays open like a well-trained dog, even when I'm frantically notating ideas at 2 AM.

The 12-stave layout hits the sweet spot. It's spacious enough for my messy composer handwriting (yes, those ARE eighth notes, not coffee stains), yet compact enough that I don't feel guilty wasting paper when inspiration runs dry after three bars.

Durability? Let's just say mine survived being dropped in a puddle, used as an impromptu fan during a stuffy rehearsal, and that time I accidentally sat on it while wearing jeans with rivets. The green cover now looks 'distressed' rather than damaged - very rock 'n' roll.

Pro tip: The dark staff lines show through tracing paper perfectly for when you need to make clean copies. And that little notation guide in the corner? More helpful than my music theory professor during freshman year.

Is it perfect? No. The spacing can get tight if you're writing for double bass or piccolo. But for £3, it's like finding a Stradivarius at a garage sale. My only real complaint? Now my cat expects me to actually finish the compositions I start in it.