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Find music resources in MaagNet?


To search by composer:

Perform an author search in MaagNet. Be sure to type the last name first.


To search by keyword:

Perform a word search in MaagNet. This type of search is very useful for browsing the collection. For example, a keyword search for symphonies beethoven would retrieve recordes for all the scores and recordings we have of Beethoven’s symphonies.


To search by title:

In music, we have something called a uniform title. The uniform title gives us a method to identify works that may be known by more than one name. For example, some people refer to Beethoven’s sixth symphony as the pastoral symphony.

There are two basic types of uniform titles, generic and distinctive.

I. Generic uniform titles are used for specific genres, such as symphonies, and contain the following elements:

    A. Form of the piece
    The name of the composition in the english plural form, unless the composer only wrote one piece of this type.
    Example:
    Symphonies

    B. Medium
        The next element is the medium of performance, unless it is implied by the title or not specified.
        The medium will be listed in this order:

                        1.Voices
                        2.Keyboard Instrument—if there is more than one non-keyboard instrument
                        3.Other instruments according to score order
                        4.Continuo
            Example:
            Sonatas, Piano
            If there is more than one of an instrument, the number is given after its media in parentheses

           Example:
          Sonatas, Flutes(2)

An exception to this rule is the standard combinations of instruments, such as trios, piano which always consist of a piano, a viloin and a cello.

    C. Numbering
    There are three types of numbers used in uniform titles, and more than one of these may appear in a composition’s uniform title.
    1.Serial Numbers
    Example: Sonatas, Piano,no.2

    2. Opus Numbers
    Example: Sonatas, Piano, no.2, op.3

    3. Thematic Index numbers, such as the Kochel numbers used for Mozart
    Example: Concertos, Horn, K.386b

    D. Key
    This includes the major or minor mode for most works written prior to the 20th century, and works from the 20th century if the key is conspicuous on the item.
    Example
    Symphonies, no. 6, op. 68, F major

    E. Collected or Complete works
    A composer’s collected or complete works will have the generic uniform title works.

II. Distinctive uniform titles
    When a composer uses a name for a piece that is not indicative of its form, then that distinctive title in its original language is   used as the uniform title.

Example:
Zauberflote

If you would like to learn more about uniform titles click here.


To search only for scores or sound recordings:

Perform your search.
When your results appear on the screen, press the Limit this search key.


To limit to scores:

Pull down the material type menu, click on printed music, hit the limit/sort key.


To limit to sound recordings:

Pull down the material type menu, click on either audio CD or audio LP/tape, hit the limit/sort key.

Didn't find your answer here?  Ask the Multimedia Librarian
Comments or suggestions contact: Ericableu L. Bartik, Multimedia Librarian


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This page was last updated on August 28, 2000