This guide, created for MUSC 203, will show how to find books, articles and media sources supporting the analysis of musical works.
If further help is needed contact:
Rachel Schwedt, Research and Instruction Librarian: reschwed@liberty.edu
Office number: 434-592-3357
Specific search terms are assigned to materials in databases and library catalogs. Some databases search the entire body of an article to look for the terms you choose, and some search only the subject terms assigned. Following are some common subject terms you may find useful in your research. Many of these can be used in combination with each other.
Search by time period
Music – History and criticism – 17th century
18th century music – History and criticism
Renaissance music
Romantic period
Search by composer
Scarlatti, Domenico – Analysis
Haydn, Joseph, 1732-1809 – Biography
Search by type of music
Church music
Jazz music
Choral music
Search by form of music
Motets
Etudes
General sub headings – use in combination with other terms
Composition (Musical composition)
Analysis
Criticism or critique
History and criticism
Type of instrument
Search by country
Italy – 18th century – Music
Symphonies
If looking for books, remember that there are not always entire books dedicated to a single work. Expand your search by looking for a book about the composer or the type of music or the time period of music you are researching. Then use the table of contents or index to see if your piece is included.
The Jerry Falwell Library subscribes to a number of databases dedicated to the field of music and other general databases which include music. Some databases provide access to scores that you can print. Some offer recordings of musical performances, and others specialize in professional journals with articles addressing many aspects of music including the analysis of musical works.
The search path to finding journal articles is:
www.liberty.edu/library - Browse All Databases – Click on arrow next to All Subjects - Choose Music
Suggested databases to use:
Journal Articles
General databases that include music journals
EBSCO/HOST
JSTOR
Project MUSE: Humanities and Social Sciences
PROQUEST CENTRAL
Music specific databases
Music Index
Music Periodicals Database
RILM Abstract of Music Literature
Reference materials
Cambridge Core: Cambridge Companions to Music
Music Online: Classical Music Reference Library
Oxford Music Online includes:
Grove Music Online
Oxford Companion to Music
Oxford Dictionary of Music
Videos / Audio
Music Online: Classical Music Library – contains reference information as well as video and audio
Music Online: Opera in Video
Naxos Music Library
Naxos Video Library
Scores (Sheet Music)
Library Music Source
Music Online: Classical Scores Library
Naxos Music Library: Sheet Music
Print scores and audio CDs are housed in the robotic storage system. Indicate under Content Type the format you are desiring. Request these items the same way you would request a book. Pick up at the Customer Service Desk within approximately ten minutes.