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Stringed Instruments (Bowed) Handy Guide: Basic Reference Tools

Your quick guide to bowed string instrument music resources. (Cello, Double Bass, Viola, Violin)

General Strings Reference

The following titles will be useful in finding general information about bowed string instruments. 

  • Seagrave, Barbara Ann Garvey. The A.S.T.A. Dictionary of Bowing Terms for String Instruments. Ref ML 108 .S382 A2
  • Lorrin, Mark. Dictionary of Bowing and Tonal Technics for Strings. Ref ML 108 .L876 D5
  • Christensen, James. Chamber Music. Ref MT 728 .C48 2008
  • Morrill, Dexter. The American String Quartet. Ref ML 1160 .M67 2003

Instrument Specific Reference

The following titles will be useful in tracking down information about the cello and its literature.

  • Homuth, Donald. Cello Music Since 1960. Ref ML 128 .V5 H66 1994
  • Lambooij, Henk. A Cellist's Companion: A Comprehensive Catalogue of Cello Literature. Ref ML 128 .V5 L36 2007
  • Kenneson, Claude. Bibliography of Cello Ensemble Music. Ref ML 128 .V5 K45
  • Markevitch, Dimitry. The Solo Cello. Ref ML 128 .V5 K45
  • Wilkins, Wayne. The Index of Cello Music. Ref ML 128 .V5 W5 

The following titles will be useful in tracking down information about the double bass and its literature.

  • Grodner, Murray. Comprehensive Catalog of Available Literature for the Double Bass. Ref ML 128 .D6 G7 1974

The following titles will be useful in tracking down information about the viola and its literature.

  • Wilkins, Wayne. Index of Viola Music. Ref ML 128 .V36 W5
  • Williams, Michael. Music for Viola. Ref ML 128 .V36 W53
  • Zeyringer, Franz. Literatur fur Viola. Ref ML 128 . V36 Z5 1976

The following titles will be useful in tracking down information about the violin and its literature.

  • Edlund, Harry. Music for Solo Violin Unaccompanied: A Catalogue. Ref ML 128 .V4 E35 1989
  • Johnson, Rose-Marie. Violin Music by Women Composers. Ref ML 128 .V4 J63 1989

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