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The M Class
Books, periodicals and printed music are arranged on the shelves according to the Library of Congress Classification system. If you know the system, you can browse the shelves efficiently and use the online catalog to see what the library has in a particular classification by doing an alphabetical search under Call Numbers-Lib. of Congress. (Most sound recordings are filed under a completely different system--they are arranged mainly alphabetically by composer.)
In the Library of Congress Classification system class numbers begin with one, two or three letters followed by a whole number. Music is organized by the kind of material: so all the piano sonatas are in one place and all the string quartets in another. Call numbers for music materials all begin with the letter M. The following is a brief outline of the call numbers for music: for a detailed list see M: Music and Books on Music, Library of Congress Classification, 1998 edition located in Reference at Z696 .U5 M 1999.
- M -- PRINTED MUSIC
- ML -- LITERATURE ON MUSIC
- MT -- MUSICAL INSTRUCTION AND STUDY
Peabody Variants:
- Mb -- Call numbers with Mb interfile with the other M's. Ignore the b!
MX (or Mx) -- Miniature scores are located on the first level, at the end of the M's
M -- PRINTED MUSIC
- M 1-3 Anthologies, including Composers Collected Works (Not for circulation!)
- M 2.8 Facsimiles (Only in the Friedheim Library)
- M 4-1490 INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
- M 6-175 Music for one instrument
- M 20-39 Piano
- M 40-44 Violin
- M 60-64 Flute
- M 80-84 Horn
- etc.
- M 177-990 Music for two or more solo instruments
- M 180-298.5 Duets
- M 300-386 Trios
- M 400-486 Quartets ...etc.
- M 900-990 Nonets and larger combinations of solo instruments
- M 1000-1075 Orchestral music
- M 1001 Symphonies
- M 1010-1011 Piano concertos
- M 1100-1160 String orchestra
- M 1200-1366 Other ensembles
- M 1497-1998 SECULAR VOCAL and DRAMATIC MUSIC
- M 1500-1527.8 Dramatic music
- M 1500 Operas, full scores
- M 1503 Opera vocal scores
- M 1520 Ballets, scores
- M 1528-1529.5 Duets, trios, etc. for solo voices
- M 1547-1610 Choruses
-
M 1611-1624.8 Songs for one voice
-
M 1621.4 Song cycles with piano
- M 1621.5 Songs, high voice, with piano
-
- M 1627-1853 National music, folksongs, popular music
- M 1999-2199 SACRED VOCAL MUSIC
M 2000-2007 Oratorios
M 2010-2017.7 Services
M 2018-2019.5 Duets, trios, etc. for solo voices
M 2020-2101.5 Choruses, cantatas
M 2102-2114.8 Sacred songs for one voice
ML -- LITERATURE ABOUT MUSIC
- ML 1 Periodicals published in the U.S.
- ML 5 Periodicals published elsewhere
- ML12-19 Directories
- ML 27-33 Societies, Foundations and Institutions
- ML 35-38 Festivals. Congresses
- ML 48-54 Librettos
- ML 55-60 Addresses, essays, lectures
- ML 62-89 Special aspects
- ML 100-109 Dictionaries and encyclopedias
- ML 111-158 Music bibliographies
- ML 128 Indexes by topic
- ML 134 Thematic indexes and bibliographies by composer
- ML 159-350.5 Music History
- ML 385-429 Biography
- ML 410 Individual biographies of composers
- ML 430-455 Composition
- ML 460-1354 Musical instruments and Instrumental music
- ML 549-1092 Instruments
- ML 1100-1165 Chamber music
- ML 1200-1270 Orchestral music
- ML1400-3275 Vocal music
- ML 3545-3775 National music
- ML 3800-3923 Philosophy and physics of music
MT -- MUSICAL INSTRUCTION AND STUDY (TEACHING)
- MT 1 Theory and history of Music Education, General works
- MT 3-5 Music study by region or institution
- MT 6 Music theory, General works
- MT 6.5 Anthologies for analysis
- MT 7 Music theory, rudiments
- MT 20-32 Special methods
- MT 40-67 Composition
- MT 50 Harmony
- MT 55 Counterpoint
- MT 58-64 Forms and genres
- MT 70-73 Instrumentation and orchestration for orchestra, band
- MT 90-145 Analytical guides
- MT 170-810 Instrumental techniques
- MT 180-255 Keyboard instruments
- MT 259-338 String instruments
- MT 339-538 Wind instruments
- MT 539-654 Plectral instruments
- MT 655-722 Percussion and other instruments
- MT 740-810 Instruction and study for children
- MT 820-949 Singing and voice culture
