Library

 

Music Research Guide

2007-2008

This guide will help you get started with your research in music. It features resources that are available in the Peninsula College Library, both print and electronic. If you have questions about the research process, ask a librarian at the Reference Desk.

Your research strategy might include some or all of the following:

·         Using reference sources to obtain background information

·         Using the online catalog to identify books and other library materials

·         Using electronic databases to find criticism in journal articles

·         Using the Internet to find Web resources

 

Use reference sources to obtain background information

 

Reference books can supply needed background information on an author or work of art. In the beginning stage of research they will help you to define terms, movements, genres, and theories that are new to you.  Here are a few of the reference titles located in the Reference section of Peninsula College Library:

 

Timetables of History: A Horizontal Linkage of People and Events.

3rd ed. revised.  

The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. 

29 vols.  2nd ed., 2001.

Current Biography.

1946-   

Dictionary of National Biography.

32 vols. 

New Encyclopaedia Britannica. 

32 vols.  15th ed., 2003.

 

The Library also has access to 173 subject dictionaries online to verify basic information.

 

Reference Premium Online (Oxford University Press) at:  http://www.oxfordreference.com/

      (requires authentication with your 895 ID number from off-campus)

 

 

 

 

Use the online catalog to identify books and other library materials

Use the online catalog to find books in the Peninsula College Library. You can search the catalog by author, title, keywords, or subject. The Basic Search mode requires that you enter exact titles, exact authors' names, and Library of Congress subject headings.  Here are some search tips:

Author Search:       Search by author’s last name, e.g.,    Liszt, Franz

Title Search:             Omit initial articles A, AN, THE

The Advanced (Keyword) Search function allows you to enter more flexible keyword searches. Be sure to indicate what kind of keyword search you are doing by selecting an option from the drop-down "Search in" menu (e.g. Keyword anywhere, subject, title, etc.).

To “browse” the music book collection via the online catalog, do a “call number” search and type in the letter M. This will give you a list of all the music books and music scores and CDs in the order in which they are shelved. During the construction period the music books must be requested at the Circulation Desk with the call number. The books in the circulating collection are arranged by call number. Here is a break-down of the Library of Congress classification for music for the call numbers M and ML:

 

M1-5000

Music

M1-1.A15

Music printed or copied in manuscript in the United States or the colonies before 1860

M1.A5-3.3

Collections

M1.A5-Z

Miscellaneous

M2-2.3

Musical sources

M3-3.3

Collected works of individual composers

M5-1480

Instrumental music

M5

Collections

M6-175.5

One solo instrument

M176

Motion picture music

M176.5

Radio and television music

M177-990

Two or more solo instruments

M1000-1075

Orchestra

M1100-1160

String orchestra

M1200-1270

Band

M1350-1366

Other ensembles

M1375-1420

Instrumental music for children

M1470-1480

Aleatory music. Electronic music. Mixed media

M1490

Music printed or copied in manuscript before 1700

M1495-2199

Vocal music

M1495

Collections

M1497-1998

Secular vocal music

M1497

Collections

M1500-1527.8

Dramatic music

M1528-1529.5

Two or more solo voices

M1530-1609

Choruses

M1611-1624.8

One solo voice

M1625-1626

Recitations with music

M1627-1853

Folk, national and ethnic music

M1900-1985

Songs of specific groups or on specific topics

M1990-1998

Secular vocal music for children

M1999-2199

Sacred vocal music

M1999

Collections

M2000-2007

Dramatic music

M2010-2017.6

Choral services, etc.

M2018-2019.5

Two or more solo voices

M2020-2101.5

Choruses

M2102-2114.8

One solo voice

M2115-2146

Hymnals. Hymn collections

M2147-2188

Liturgy and ritual

M2190-2196

Sacred vocal music for children

M2198-2199

Popular religious and devotional music

M5000

Unidentified compositions

 

ML1-3930

Literature on music

ML1-5

Periodicals. Serials

ML12-21

Directories. Almanacs

ML25-28

Societies and other organizations

ML29-31

Special collections

ML32-33

Institutions

ML35-38

Festivals. Congresses

ML40-44

Programs

ML45

Circulars and advertisements

ML46

Scrapbooks

ML47-54.8

Librettos. Texts. Scenarios

ML55-89

Aspects of the field of music as a whole

ML93-96.5

Manuscript studies and manuscripts

ML100-109

Dictionaries. Encyclopedias

ML110-111.5

Music librarianship

ML112-112.5

Music printing and publishing

ML112.8-158.8

Bibliography

ML159-3785

History and criticism

ML159-161

General works

ML162-197

By period

ML198-360.6

By region or country

ML385-429

Biography

ML430-458

Composition and performance

ML459-1380

Instruments and instrumental music

ML1400-3275

Vocal music

ML3300-3351

Program music

ML3400-3465

Dance music

ML3469-3541

Popular music

ML3544-3776

Folk, national, and ethnic music

ML3780

Music on particular topics

ML3785

Musical journalism

ML3790-3792

Music trade

ML3795

Music as a profession. Vocational guidance

ML3797-3799.5

Musical research

ML3800-3923

Philosophical and societal aspects of music. Physics and acoustics of music. Physiological aspects of music 

ML3800

General works

ML3805-3817

Physics and acoustics

ML3820

Physiological aspects of music

ML3830-3840

Psychology

ML3845-3877

Aesthetics

ML3880-3915

Criticism

ML3916-3918

Social and political aspects of music

ML3919-3920

Moral influence of music. Therapeutic use of music

ML3921-3921.8

Religious aspects of music

ML3922

Music in the workplace

ML3928-3930

Literature for children

 

 Use electronic databases to find journal articles

 

To access Peninsula College Library databases point your browser to:  http://pc.ctc.edu/enrolled/lmc/resources/default.asp

 

ProQuest                                Academic Search Premier                            Literary Index

Literary Databases               Magill on Literature                          Dictionary of Literary Biography

History Resource Center     A-to-Z e-Journal Index                   Reference Premium Online

           

Hint:  Get a public library card from NOLS  http://nols.org   and King County Library System  http://kcls.org  for access to 60 more databases.  Use the barcode on the back of the library card to access the databases.   Library cards are free of charge.

 

You can see all 9,000 e-journals with A-to-Z at: http://atoz.ebsco.com/home.asp?Id=Peni8F9A

       A-to-Z also allows you to search by subject to see only the music e-journals.

 

 

Use the Internet to find Web resources

The Internet can be a very valuable research tool providing instant access to information from around the world.  Cyberspace can also be overwhelming because of the vast amount of information out there.  How can you determine that a site you have found fulfills the criteria of academic and professional authority? It is important to evaluate the web resources you consider. 

Ask yourself these questions:

·         Who created the site? Is the author an expert in the field?

·         When was the site created, last updated?

·         What, if any, is the bias expressed by the site?

·         Does the domain indicate whether it is a commercial, organizational, or educational web site?

·         How does it compare with what you already know about the subject?

 

 

 

Want even more links?  Visit the Unofficial

Peninsula College Library

Biblio-Bits Blog at:

 http://pc-library.blogspot.com