Skip to Main Content

University Libraries Research Guides

Guitar Handy Guide: Home

Basic Reference Tools

Browsing the Shelves

Because printed music and books are classified--i.e., grouped with similar items on the shelves--browsing can be an effective method for finding material. Look on the shelves under the following numbers.

  • 42 = Guitar music
  • ML1015.G9 = History
  • ML1016.G9 = Construction
  • ML1018.G9 = Music and playing
  • MT580-MT588 = Instruction, methods

Using the Catalog

Library Catalog

The catalog provides access to the library holdings of Appalachian State University (books, movies, music scores, music cd's, government documents, audiobooks, and more).

 

LOOKING FOR PRINTED MUSIC OR RECORDINGS OF A SPECIFIC PIECE OF MUSIC. 
 1. Use AUTHOR search in ASU's Library Catalog, using composer's last name and first name. Arrangement of a composer's works is by UNIFORM TITLE. Uniform titles are either DISTINCTIVE titles in the original language, or GENERIC titles, which begin with form or genre, and followed by performance medium, serial or opus or thematic catalogue number, and key. Examples: 
  •  Tombeau de Couperin (Ravel)          
  •  Sonatas, piano, no. 14, op. 27, no. 2, C# minor (Beethoven)

   2. For shorter works such as songs, do a TITLE search in ASU's Library Catalog; if that retrieves nothing or only a few items, try the same search as  KEYWORD search. 
       
FINDING MUSIC IN A SPECIFIC CATEGORY 

Do a SUBJECT search in ASU's Library Catalog, using terms found in Library of Congress Subject Headings, such as: 

  •  Sonatas (Piano)
  •  Harpsichord music      

FINDING INFORMATION ON THE INSTRUMENT

Do a SUBJECT search in ASU's Library Catalog using the name of the instrument: "violoncello" , "oboe", "trumpet", "flute", "etc."

Online Research Tools

Electronic Journals 

Subject Guide

Profile Photo
Gary Boye
Contact:
Erneston Music Library

Appalachian State University
Website
Subjects: Music