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Strings Studio

A guide for strings studio library research.

Browsing Online by Subject

In the online catalog, the following phrases are samples of subject searches that will help you find relevant scores, recordings, and books:

Browsing by Call Number

Because printed music, books, and CDs are classified - that is, grouped with similar items on the shelf - browsing can be an effective method for finding what you want.  If you're looking for string music, these classifications can guide you in the stacks and in the catalog (this is not a complete list):

M

Printed Music and Recordings
M40-M44 Solo violin music
M45-M49 Solo viola music
M50-M54 Solo cello music
M55-M58 Solo double bass music
M217-M223 Violin with piano/continuo
M224-M228 Viola with piano/continuo
M229-M236 Cello with piano/continuo
M237-M238 Double bass with piano/continuo
M286-M287 String duos (any combination)
M310-M314 Piano trios
M349-M353 String trios (any combination)
M410-M414 Piano quartets
M450-M454 String quartets
M510-M514 Piano quintets
M550-M554 String quintets
M1012-1019 One or more solo strings with orchestra
M1112-1119 One or more solo strings with string orchestra
   

ML

Literature (books) on Music
ML128.C4 Bibliographies of chamber music
ML128.D6 Bibliographies of double bass music
ML128.V4 Bibliographies of violin music
ML750-927   String instruments: history & criticism; construction
ML1100-1165 Chamber music: history & criticism
   

MT

Music instruction and study
MT90-146 Music analysis and appreciation
MT259-338 String instruments:  instrumental techniques

Library of Congress Call number system

Most materials in Bierce Library are classified using the Library of Congress call number system.

Overall organization of call numbers:

  • M = Music (scores and recordings)
  • ML = Literature about music (books, etc.)
  • MT = Music instruction and study (here you'll find theory, methods, books on composing and arranging, etc.)

Here is an overview of call numbers for music:

  • M2-M3 - Historical sets, Collected works
  • M6-M175 - Solo music
  • M180-M299 - Duets
  • M300-M399 - Trios
  • M400-M499 - Quartets
  • M500-M599 - Quintets
  • And so on, up through M999
  • M1000-M1075 - Orchestral music (including solo with orchestra)
  • M1100-M1160 - String orchestra music (including solo with string orchestra)
  • M1200-M1270 - Band music
  • M1497-M1998 - Secular Vocal Music
    • M1500 - Operas/musicals - full score
    • M1503 - Operas/musicals - vocal scores
  • M1999-M2199 - Sacred Vocal Music

For a detailed chart of call numbers see:  Library of Congress Classification - M Outline

Acknowledgement

Many thanks to Diane Steinhaus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the permission to adapt her content for this tab.