Music: General Subject Guide

Overview

Guides to the Field

Music Research: a Handbook Annotated bibliography of music research materials of all kinds, as well as instruction in research and tips on writing. Useful for research in music at all levels. A companion website (see below) provides links to online resources listed in the book (see above), and updates to the bibliography. Details

Music Research: a Handbook: companion website This site provides links to online resources listed in the book (see description above), and updates to the bibliography. Details

Music Library and Research Skills ML 3797 .G68 2009
Describes and explains how to use many resources for music research, including bibliographies, discographies, indexes, thematic catalogs, and others.
Details

Sourcebook for Research in Music Ref ML 113 .C68 2005
Guide to basic research books and other resources in virtually every field of music. Organized by type of resource: bibliographies, dictionaries and encyclopedias, journals, music editions, etc. Includes Internet resources. Details

Guide to Library Research in Music Ref ML 3797 .B29 2008
A textbook on library and computer-based research for music. Explains the research process, offers instruction in information-searching techniques and library-based organziational systems, and introduces an array of electronic and print music resources.
Details

Music Reference and Research Materials: an Annotated Bibliography Ref ML 113 .D83 1997
For many years the standard guide to materials on music, and still useful, though dated. Lists and describes dictionaries, encyclopedias, bibliographies, discographies, histories, and many others. Updates for electronic sources cited are available at this website. Details

Discographies

Discographies provide basic information about recordings. They range from general to very specialized--for specific genres of music, individual composers and performers, etc. In the library most are located at Ref ML 156.

allmusic About all genres of classical, jazz, and popular music: news, reviews, new recordings, etc. Free registration required to use most of site. Details

Muze Classical Catalogue Ref ML 156.2 .C58
Lists over 45,000 classical recordings available in the United Kingdom (many distributed in the U.S.). Includes performers, contents, catalogue numbers and other information, with cross-referenced indexes for titles, composers, and artists. Details

Online Journals and Magazines

Journal Finder (Find It @ WMU)
Find electronic and print journals available at WMU. Search for a journal title, browse journals by subject or collection, or look for a specific article if you have a citation (CitationLinker).

JSTOR Full-text access to selected scholarly journals in a number of humanities and social sciences disciplines. Search by individual title or in the whole collection. This database contains only back issues and does not include issues of the most recent 3 to 5 years. Includes full text of over 50 music journals (except most recent 3-5 years in most cases). Browse by discipline to see a list.

Music and Dance Reference: Online Bibliography A bibliography of more than 6,000 bibliographies and other reference sources in music and dance. More than 1,600 entries include critiques about content and use ("pros and cons") of the sources. Details This site briefly describes and provides links to more than 150 online journals in music and dance. Go to "Simple Search" and choose "Electronic Journal" from the category list.

Reviews, News, Current Events

allmusic About all genres of classical, jazz, and popular music: news, reviews, new recordings, etc. Free registration required to use most of site. Details

Black Grooves A music review site hosted by the Archives of African-American Music and Culture at Indiana University. Monthly updates on new releases and reissues in all genres of popular music as well as classical music composed or performed by black artists. Individuals may subscribe to receive free monthly email updates. Details

Classical Net Reviews and recommends recordings; information on composers, many links.

Fanfare: the Magazine for Serious Record Collectors Current and Bound Periodicals areas (shelved by title)
Reviews of mostly classical recordings; also film music and some jazz.

Gramophone, the Classical Music Website Gramophone, British magazine covering classical music and best known for its reviews of classical recordings. The site features GramoFile, a searchable database of over 25,000 reviews from the magazine since 1983 (requires free registration). Details

NewsBank NewsFile Contains full text articles from over 700 U.S. regional and national newspapers, wire services, and broadcasts from 1992 to summer 2009. See the "Performing Arts" section.

Playbill Arts News, current events, upcoming performances, feature articles, and job listings in classical music, opera, dance, and jazz.
Details

Encyclopedias

Provide introductory and sometimes detailed information on a person or topic and usually include bibliographies and lists of composers' works.

Oxford Music Online Covers music and musicians of all types and time periods; includes
bibliographies, composers' worklists, links to related sites, audio and music examples. Provides access to Grove Music Online (incorporating the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, the New Grove Dictionary of Opera, and New Grove Dictionary of Jazz), as well as The Oxford Dictionary of Music and The Oxford Companion to Music.
This subscription is limited to three simultaneous users. Please logout when finished. Print edition also available: see below.

New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians Ref ML 100 .N48 2001
The primary music encyclopedia in English. 29 volumes. Covers music and musicians of all types and time periods; includes bibliographies and composers' worklists. For online version, see listing for Oxford Music Online. Details

Garland Encyclopedia of World Music Online
A comprehensive online resource devoted to music of all the world's peoples. Includes more than 9,200 pages of material in ten volumes, each volume containing an overview of the region, a survey of its musical heritage, traditions and themes; and a description of specific musical genres, practices, and performances, Includes: audio examples, illustrations, photographs, maps, drawings, and more. Print edition also available: see below.

Garland Encyclopedia of World Music Ref ML 100 .G17 1997
Comprehensive encyclopedia of world music. Each volume covers a continent or region. Details

Credo Reference (Formerly Xreferplus) Full text online from over 400 encyclopedias, dictionaries and other reference books. Search a topic, build a concept map or browse information sources organized by subject. Find text, images, sound files, sortable data tables and more. Includes The Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World and other music reference sources.

Encyclopedia of Popular Music Ref ML 102 .P66 E62x 1998
Covers all areas and styles of popular music, including jazz and music theatre. Details

Book Reviews

International Index to Music Periodicals Full Text Indexes and abstracts articles, reviews and other features from more than 430 music periodicals from 20+ countries, with full text coverage of 125 journals and magazines. Articles cover the full spectrum of subjects within the field of music. All aspects and types of music are represented.

Music Index Online A comprehensive index covering 800+ U.S. and international music periodicals. Includes articles, book reviews, dissertations, and obituaries. Links to full-text journals in JSTOR. Coverage from 1973.

Finding Book Reviews For help in finding book reviews in the WMU Libraries, please see this "how to" guide.

People and Organizations

International Who's Who in Music and Musicians Directory Ref ML 106 .G7 W44 (Classical and Light Classical)
Ref ML 102 .P66 I57x (Popular)
Brief biographies often including addresses or management contacts.

Musical America Worldwide Ref ML 12 .M88
Annual directory listing artists, performing groups (including orchestras and opera companies), management agencies, schools, publishers, recording companies, service organizations, and much more in the "classical" music field. Details

Directory of Music Faculties in Colleges and Universities, US and Canada Ref ML 13 .D57
Lists schools offering music programs by state; includes addresses, degrees offered, names of administrators, faculty members and their specialties. Includes an index to graduate degree programs. Published every two years.

Writing Style Guides

Citing Music Sources in Your Essay and Bibliography Excellent guide to citing music sources (scores, recordings, videos and more) using Turabian style (based upon Chicago Manual of Style). Also: correct format of musical terms and titles for your essay and bibliography. Details

Handbook for Preparing Graduate Papers in Music Research strategies, documentation formats, use of notation and examples, tables, etc. Details

Irvine's Writing About Music Style and formatting of papers, theses, etc.; documenting; writing skills; and more. Details

Writing About Music: An Introductory Guide For the undergraduate student: how to do research and write about music. Details

Guide to Writing Styles Contains links to many practical examples for formatting citations in APA, Chicago, MLA, Turabian, and other writing styles. Examples include citations to both online or print materials. Call numbers for printed manuals are also given. Ask your instructor which writing style is required for your class assignment.

Online! Citation Styles How to cite Internet sources using MLA, APA, Chicago, CBE and other styles.

RefWorks This citation management software allows you to import citations directly from electronic indexes and create and manage your own bibliographies. Use with word processing software to cite and format references easily in a variety of writing styles. You will have to set up an individualized account the first time you use RefWorks. An excellent tutorial is available in RefWorks under Help. Tutorial

Dissertations

Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) Indexes virtually all doctoral dissertations and many masters theses produced in the U.S. since 1860 and many from foreign schools as well. Abstracts available from 1980. Full text for most dissertations available from 1997. Some authors choose to not make their dissertations available. Print and microfilm copies are offered for a fee, but check out Interlibrary Loan before paying for a copy.

RefWorks Info: Dissertations and Theses (Proquest) will export marked citations directly into your RefWorks account. (You will be prompted to login.)

Doctoral Dissertations in Musicology
A bibliography and index of in-progress and completed dissertations and new dissertation topics in music history, theory, and ethnomusicology. Also in print (through April 1995) at Ref ML 128 .M8. Details

Biographies

Biographies (books) are shelved at ML 385-ML 429. Major categories: Composers, ML 410; Instrumental performers, ML 416-419; Vocalists, ML 420; Conductors, ML 422. Collected biographies are at ML 385-406. Each category includes musicians of all styles (classical, jazz, pop, folk, etc.).

Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians Centennial Edition
Ref ML 105 .B16 2001
One of the most comprehensive biographical dictionaries, covering composers, performers, and other music personalities in classical, jazz, and popular music.

Baker's Biographical Dictionary of 20th Century Classical Musicians Ref ML 105 .S612 1997
Same format as the big Baker's, but with a 20th-century focus.

Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Popular Musicians since 1990 Ref ML 102 .P66 B35 2004
Includes personalities in rock, pop, hip-hop, blues, electronica, musical theater, soundtrack, classical, country, R&B, jazz, folk, latin, and world music. Includes selective discography, bibliography, and websites. Details

Contemporary Musicians: Profiles of the People in Music Ref ML 385 .C615
Each volume profiles a number of musicians-classical, jazz, rock, country, religious, etc.-and has a cumulative index to the set.

Necrology File from Gaylord Music Library, Washington University Provides musicians' death dates and indexes obituaries. Updated frequently.

Biographical Information Guide An in-depth guide to finding biographical information at WMU libraries with an extensive list of print and online sources. Many general sources contain biographies of composers, performers, etc.

Indexes to Music in Collections

A lot of music is published in collections, and the catalog often does not provide access to individual works. There are indexes in which you can look up a specific piece and see in which collection(s) it has been published. Most of these sources are shelved at Ref ML 113.

Collected Editions, Historical Series & Sets & Monuments of Music: A Bibliography Ref ML 113 .H55 1997
Lists contents of historical and national sets, and the collected editions of composers. Details

Guide to Music Resources: by Subject A guide, by subject category, to library and internet resources useful for course assignments and research in music. Details

Historical Sets, Collected Editions, and Monuments of Music Ref ML 113 .H52 1980
Lists some older material not in Hill and Stephens (above), and provides a composer index to editions. Details

Scores

Books

Dictionaries of Terms and Topics

Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music Also available in print in the library.
The site also includes the Oxford Companion to Music (an encyclopedia), Oxford Concise Dictionary of Opera, and Who's Who in Opera. Details

Harvard Dictionary of Music A standard music reference, this source defines musical terms and includes brief articles on topics.
Also available in print in the library. Details

Music Dictionary Online Definitions of musical terms, including non-English terms with their English equivalents. Includes a chart of musical symbols and links to other Web sites with definitions. Details

Dictionary of Foreign Musical Terms Ref ML 108 .W78 1972
Brief definitions of technical terms, score markings, etc. Similar dictionaries are shelved at the same call number. Details

Dictionary of Musical Themes Ref ML 102 .T5 B3x
Main themes from hundreds of instrumental works. Includes a notation index that can be used to identify a theme. For vocal music, see Dictionary of Vocal Themes at Ref ML 102 .T5 B32x.

Credo Reference (Formerly Xreferplus) Full text online from over 400 encyclopedias, dictionaries and other reference books. Search a topic, build a concept map or browse information sources organized by subject. Find text, images, sound files, sortable data tables and more. Search four music dictionaries, including the Harvard Dictionary of Music and Faber Companion to 20th Century Popular Music.

Pronouncing Dictionary of Music and Musicians A pronouncing dictionary of more than 30,000 composers, performers, and titles. Pages are in PDF format. Details

Careers and Employment

See also links to professional organizations under many categories in Music Resources by Subject

Professional Opportunities in Music Music and Dance Library, Reference area
The library maintains files of notices about jobs, college and university music programs, assistantships and scholarships, competitions, and professional development opportunities such as workshops and summer study programs. Details

American Federation of Musicians Members may access audition ads and the online version of International Musician (print version available in library).

Arts Management Network News and resources in arts management and cultural administration.

MENC Career Center Links to information about all types of careers in music: opportunities, qualifications, recommended education and training. Maintained by the National Association for Music Education (MENC). Details

Music Career Information Links to career information sites and job listings. Details

Back Stage: The Performing Arts Weekly Covers New York and the national show scene, with news, jobs, services, etc. In library in Current Periodicals; also online at http://www.backstage.com. (Some parts of the site are available only to members.) Details

StageAgent Primarily for performers and producers of music theatre, opera, and drama, with descriptions of shows and roles, current productions throughout the U.S., auditions, callbacks, etc.

Online Music Scores

Classical Scores Library As of June 2009, Classical Scores Library contains more than 12,000 scores in PDF files for printing or downloading. Search specific composers, works, genres, instrument, time periods, etc., or browse the collection. Links to the audio recordings in Classical Music Library allow users to listen while viewing the score.

IMSLP/Petrucci Music Library The International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP) is a virtual library of public domain musical scores, as well as scores from composers who are willing to share their music with the world without charge. This is a wiki to which composers and others may submit music. As of June 2009, IMSLP contained over 30,000 scores. Details

Online Music Scores Links to sites with scores that may be downloaded free of charge.
Details

FreeHandMusic.com "Download music 24/7" from this commercial site. Includes classical, jazz, and all types of popular music, solos and ensembles. Requires free registration.

Score On Line Pay to download and print music scores (classical, jazz, flamenco, more). Details

Music Publishers

Music Publishers' Association Directory of music publishers, copyright resource center, links.

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Music Section NLS provides large-print and Braille music scores, materials about music, and instructional recordings to eligible users.

Worldwide Internet Music Resources: Music Publishers Links to publishers' home pages.

Online Audio and Video

Music Online Cross-searches the databases listed below for audio, video, scores and text reference through one centralized interface.

African American Music Reference
American Song
Classical Music Library
Classical Scores Library
Contemporary World Music
Dance in Video
The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music Online
Jazz Music Library
Opera in Video

You may also use the individual databases in Music Online. See descriptions and links below.

African American Song More than 50,000 tracks of music, spoken word, and natural and human-made sounds. Documents the history of African American music. Contains a diverse range of genres such as jazz, blues, gospel, ragtime, folk songs, and narratives, among others.

American Song Contains more than 50,000 tracks, including songs by and about American Indians, miners, immigrants, slaves, children, pioneers, and cowboys. Also includes Civil Rights songs, songs of political campaigns, Prohibition, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, anti-war protests, and more.

Classical Music Library Listen to recordings from over 30 classical music labels, including Arabesque, Bridge, EMI, Hanssler, Hyperion, and Newport Classic. Browse or search by composer, title, artist, label, genre, etc., and create your own playlists. Reference section includes composer biographies, a dictionary of terms, and other features.
This subscription is limited to six simultaneous users. Close the browser to end the session when finished.

Contemporary World Music Explore music from all regions and from every continent in this audio streaming database: reggae, worldbeat, neo-traditional, world fusion, Arab swing, African film, Bollywood, Indian classical, flamenco, klezmer, gospel, gagaku, and more. Over 20,000 tracks.

Dance in Video Video streaming of over 150 dance productions and documentaries. Selections cover ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, experimental, and improvisational dance, as well as forerunners of the forms and the pioneers of modern concert dance. Make your own playlists and save clips.

Jazz Music Library Listen to more than 60,000 tracks of all types of jazz by solo artists and ensembles from throughout jazz history to the present day. Make and save playlists for listening for classes or just for pleasure. Also accessible through Music Online.

Naxos Music Library Offers access to 500,000 tracks from 170 labels, including the entire Naxos catalog. Includes classical, contemporary jazz, world, folk, and new age. Features text resources such as music terms, a pronunciation guide, opera synopses and libretti, historical notes, and more.
This subscription is limited to eight simultaneous users. Please logout when finished.

Opera in Video When complete, will contain 250 opera performances, captured on video through staged productions, interviews, and documentaries. The full range of operatic composition is represented, from the Baroque to the 20th century.

Smithsonian Global Sound More than 35,000 tracks of music and other sound, including American folk and blues idioms, American Indian, world music, jazz, children's songs, historical spoken word, and many natural and human-made sounds. Browse the collections, search for specific recordings, create playlists.

Bibliographies of Music and Music Literature

See also Guides to the Field in this subject guide.

Guide to Music Resources: by Subject A guide, by subject category, to library and internet resources useful for course assignments and research in music. Details Bibliographies and indexes are listed under specific subject categories, such as Jazz, Keyboard, Opera, Rock, etc. Most bibliographies are shelved at Ref ML 128, alphabetically by instrument, medium, or genre. Most indexes are shelved at Ref ML 113.

Performing Arts Encyclopedia (Library of Congress) A guide to the performing arts collections and exhibitions at the Library of Congress, including music, dance, and theater. Includes digital collections accessible through the site. Details For music, includes collections on Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, African-American music, and others. Some collections are online as part of LC's American Memory project.

RISM: Repertoire International des Sources Musicales Ref ML 113 .I6
An inventory of music manuscripts, secondary sources, librettos, libraries. RISM's goal is to locate and catalog all surviving musical sources from the earliest times to about 1800. In print in the library. Details

Music Libraries and Librarianship

Music Library Association Information about the association; links to regional chapters and related professional organizations; resources on copyright; job list; graduate programs in music librarianship.
Midwest Chapter web site: http://mlamidwest.org

American Music Librarianship: A Research and Information Guide Bibliography of resources pertaining to all aspects of music librarianship within four major categories: collection management, cataloging, administration, and general studies. Also includes resources about specific libraries and librarians and education for music librarianship. Details See many other books about music librarianship at ML 111 in the General Stacks.

International Association of Music Libraries, Archives, and Documentation Centres Homepage of IAML, an association of music libraries worldwide.

Library of Congress Performing Arts Reading Room Access the Library of Congress' music, dance, theater collections.

Articles

The major indexes for finding articles are listed below. For more about other indexes and databases with music information and how to find periodicals in the library, see Music Research Tips.

RILM Abstracts of Music Literature Indexes and abstracts over 475 music journals as well as dissertations, Festschriften, yearbooks, symposia, and other publications and electronic resrouces. Coverage is from 1967. Updated monthly.

Music Index Ref ML 118 .M84
The print version of Music Index provides citations for articles in 700+ U.S. and international music periodicals beginning in 1949. Includes book and recording reviews, dissertations, and obituaries. Look up articles by subject or author. Details

More Internet Resources

ArtsLynx International Arts Resources Links to Web resources in art, arts education, dance, music, theatre, film, and writing. Details

Classical Net Reviews and recommends recordings; information on composers, many links.

Internet Resources for Music Scholars Links to hundreds of scholarly music sites which have been selected for currency, quality and content. Geared toward upper undergraduates and graduate students. Some resources restricted to Harvard users. Details

Online Music Resources See the list of "Online Resources" near the bottom of the page. Details

Ask A Librarian

Greg Fitzgerald
gregory.fitzgerald@wmich.edu
269-387-5236
Last updated: November 2009