SUBJECT HEADINGS FOR MUSICHermine Vermeij, UCLA April 13, 2012

Scope

LCSH Only headings used for music; not headings used

for works about music. Subject Headings Manual (SHM)

H1160 (Musical Compositions – Pattern Headings) H 1916.3 (Music: General) H 1916.5 (Music: Jazz and Popular Music) H 1917 (Music of Ethnic, National, and Religious Groups) H 1917.5 (Music Form/Genre Headings: Medium of

Performance) H 2075 (Songs and Music)

Scope

Most subject headings applied to music describe the genre/form and/or medium of performance (instrumentation/voices) of the work.

A project is underway to create genre/form terms for music (to be coded 655) and medium of performance terms (to be coded 382). But implementation is still years away. For now, continue to use subject headings

(650s) to describe music.

Subject Authority Records

Always read authority records carefully—you will find many treatment instructions there. Example: Bass clarinet music   (May Subd Geog) 

Here are entered compositions not in a specific form or of a specific type for solo bass clarinet, and collections of compositions in several forms or types for solo bass clarinet.

The term "bass clarinet" is used as a medium of performance in headings for works for one or two solo instruments. In headings for other works that include bass clarinet, the generic term "clarinet" is used as the medium of performance.

SA  headings for forms and types of music that include "bass clarinet", "bass clarinets", "clarinet", or "clarinets", and headings with medium of performance that include "bass clarinet", "bass clarinets", "clarinet", or "clarinets"

 

Musical Form, Genre, Type, Etc. To be used when a work is in a specific form

and that form is found in LCSH. Often the initial element of a subject heading May be used alone or followed by various

qualifiers. Examples:

Cantatas, Sacred Sonatas Rock music Symphonies

Musical Form, Genre, Type, Etc. Some form headings cannot be qualified

by medium of performance—check scope notes. In these cases, assign a second heading for

medium of performance. Examples:

650 #0 $a Toccatas.650 #0 $a Organ music.

650 #0 $a Tarantellas.650 #0 $a Band music.

Medium of Performance - Overview The instrumental, vocal, and other performers

required to play a musical work Can appear as the heading itself. Examples:

Piano music String orchestra music

Can appear in a parenthetical qualifier. Examples: Sonatas (Violin and piano) Songs (High voice) with piano

Sometimes implied by a musical form heading Symphonies, Overtures, etc. – Orchestra is

implied. Chorale preludes – Organ is implied.

Medium of Performance – Order of solo instruments Not all music subject headings are established

(since there are so many combinations of instruments). A cataloger must use the instructions in the SHM to

formulate some headings. For groups of up to 9 solo instruments, assign the

names of the instruments in the following order: Keyboard instruments Wind instruments Plucked or hammered stringed instruments without a

keyboard Percussion, electronic, and other instruments Bowed string instruments Unspecified instruments Continuo

Medium of Performance – Order of solo instruments Within each category, give the

instruments in alphabetical order. Except bowed string instruments, which

should go in score order (high to low). Examples:

Flute and violin music Suites (Flute, harp, vibraphone, violoncello) Nonets (Bassoon, clarinet, flute, horn, oboe,

violin, viola, violoncello, double bass)

Medium of performance – Order of solo instruments For Western music, if one of the

instruments is chordal (usually a keyboard instrument), or if one serves as accompaniment to the other, give the chordal or accompanying instrument second. Examples:

Trombone and piano music Sonatas (Flute and harpsichord)

Medium of Performance – Number of solo instruments When there are two or more different

parts for the same instrument, specify the number of instruments. Example:

Concertos (Flutes (3), harp) String quintets (Violins (3), viola, violoncello)

Do not specify the number of percussion or electronics players.

Standard Chamber Combinations Some standard chamber combinations have

designated subject headings, which should be assigned when a specific form heading is not appropriate: Piano trios Piano quartets Piano quintets String trios String quartets

These can also be used as qualifiers. Example: Rondos (Piano trio)

Non-Standard Chamber Combinations For combinations of three to nine instruments not

covered by the standard combinations: If the work is of a specific type, use the heading for that

type qualified by the instruments. Example: Suites (Flute, horns (2), violin)

If the work is not of a specific type, use “Trios,” “Quartets,” etc. qualified by the instruments. Example: Sextets (Bassoon, flute, oboe, trumpet, violin, viola)

If all instruments are from the same family (e.g. brass), insert the instrument family name before the term for the number of instruments (e.g. “Brass trios”). Example: Woodwind sextets (Oboes (6))

Medium of Performance – Instrumental ensembles For groups larger than nine instruments,

describe the medium of performance as an ensemble.

Large ensembles – More than one player to a part Examples:

Orchestra Clarinet choir

Ensembles with one player to a part Examples:

Brass ensembles Clarinet ensembles

Medium of Performance – Instrumental ensembles Typically, the word “ensemble” stands for 10

or more solo instruments of that type. Certain exceptions stand for 3 or more solo

instruments of that type (check the authority record).

But, when 2 or more instruments serve as accompaniment, they can be called an ensemble. Example:

Songs (Medium voice) with instrumental ensemble accompanying ensemble is a flute and piano.

YES, THIS IS CONFUSING.

Medium of Performance – “and” and “with” The connector “and” is used to connect

two solo instruments. Examples:

Flute and violin music Suites (Clarinet and horn)

The connector “with” is used for accompanying instruments or ensembles. Examples:

Concertos (Piano with string orchestra) Flute with band

Medium of Performance – “Arranged” The qualifier “Arranged” is free-floating with

form/genre headings for arranged music. The heading is for the arranged instrumentation, not

the original. Generally not used with headings in which medium of

performance is not given (with exceptions, including large instrumental forms such as Motion picture music).

Exceptions: not to be used with most vocal and choral forms.

Examples: Piano music, Arranged Quartets (Flute, violin, viola, violoncello), Arranged.

Medium of Performance – Solo vocal works Some headings imply voice, such as

Songs, Sacred cantatas, and Vocal trios. When there is one solo voice, a qualifier

indicating vocal range (high, medium, or low) is added in parentheses.

Do not give vocal range for headings for two through nine solo voices.

Examples: Sacred songs (Low voice) Vocal duets with continuo

Medium of Performance - Chorus Sometimes performance by a chorus is implied

in the heading. Type of voices (Women’s voices, Mixed voices, etc.)

added in a parenthetical qualifier. Except when mixed voices is assumed (Cantatas,

Masses, and Requiems) Number of choral parts (if 8 or fewer) follows the

qualifier for type of chorus. But only if unaccompanied or accompanied by

continuo, a solo instrument, or a keyboard instrument. THIS IS ALSO VERY CONFUSING. Examples:

Choruses, Sacred (Equal voices, 3 parts) Choruses, Secular (Mixed voices, 4 parts) with piano

Medium of Performance – “Unaccompanied” When vocal music is unaccompanied,

use the free-floating qualifier “Unaccomapnied” as the final element. Examples:

Masses, Unaccompanied Songs (Medium voice), Unaccompanied

Music for Occasions

Many headings exist for occasions such as religious seasons, holidays, and festivals. Apply when appropriate. Examples:

Wedding music Christmas music Memorial music

Music about a topic

Although most music subject headings would be more accurately described as genre/form, some music does have a true subject.

$v Songs and music – Form subdivision for music about a topic or person

$v Drama – Form subdivision for a staged dramatic work about a topic or person. Examples:

650 #0 $a Cats $v Drama. 600 10 $a Cheng, Long, $d 1954- $v Songs and music.

Certain Liturgical Texts

Some headings exist for certain liturgical texts, including psalms.

Examples: 650 #0 $a Ave Maria (Music) 650 #0 $a Psalms (Music) $v 150th Psalm 650 #0 $a Te Deum laudamus (Music)

Geographic Subdivisions

Use geographic subdivisions only in collections of musical works by different composers, and only when geographic focus is stated or implied.

This is different from the way jazz and popular music are treated.

Chronological Subdivisions

Use chronological subdivisions only in collections of musical works, and only when chronological focus is stated or implied. $y To 500 $y 500-1400 $y 15th century $y 16th century … etc.

Do not use these subdivisions for jazz and popular music, folk or non-Western music, or following certain form subdivisions.

Jazz and Popular Music

Jazz Usually assign the subject heading “Jazz” with

appropriate chronological or geographic subdivisions.

Jazz for a solo instrument – Assign headings of the type “Piano music (Jazz).”

“Jazz ensemble” is available for music for solo instruments accompanied by a jazz ensemble.

Assign other specific headings for particular styles of jazz.

Assign “Jazz vocals” to songs performed in jazz style.

Jazz and Popular Music

Popular music “Popular music” – items consisting entirely of

vocal music or of both vocal and instrumental popular music, when no more specific heading is appropriate.

“Popular instrumental music” – items consisting entirely of instrumental popular music, when no more specific heading is appropriate.

Good sources for determining genre of popular music: AllMusic Wikipedia

Jazz and Popular Music – Geographic and chronological subdivisions Apply geographic and chronological

subdivisions to all items if appropriate. This is different from the way Western art music is

treated. Some popular music styles and genres that

originated in the United States are not subdivided by $z United States. Examples: Blues (Music), Country music, Rap (Music)

Generally, only subdivide by Anglo-American countries if the country is emphasized specifically.

Jazz and Popular Music – Geographic and chronological subdivisions Some headings have special chronological

subdivisions established (mainly by decade). These can only be used when already

established in LCSH. They are: Bluegrass music Blues (Music) Country music Jazz Popular instrumental music Popular music Rock music

Jazz and Popular Music – Geographic and chronological subdivisions

Apply these chronological subdivisions on the basis of when the music was popular, or, if that is not known, by date of composition, publication, or recording.

Do not use more than two. If you are using a more specific heading

that is not subdivided chronologically, assign an additional heading. Example:

650 #0 $a Progressive rock music. 650 #0 $a Rock music $y 1971-1980.

Music of Ethnic, National, and Religious Groups

Generally, assign a combination of headings from the following categories: 650 #0 $a [ethnic or national group] $z

[place] $v Music. 650 #0 $a [heading(s) for music of individual

religious group(s)] $z [place]. 650 #0 $a [heading(s) for musical genre,

type, or style, for ballads and songs, or for songs implying national emphasis].

650 #0 $a [heading(s) qualified by language of text].

Music of Ethnic, National, and Religious Groups Ethnic or national groups

Use the form subdivision $v Music with ethnic and national groups.

Do not assign headings of this type to a nationality within its own country.

Do not assign headings of this type to works by African Americans unless it reflects explicit information on the resource.

Examples: 650 #0 $a Kabre (African people) $v Music. 650 #0 $a Germans $z Hungary $v Music.

Music of Ethnic, National, and Religious Groups Usually assign one of these terms with a

geographic subdivision: Music Folk music Popular music Dance music Folk dance music Patriotic music

For cultures where art music, popular music, and folk music are not differentiated, use the general term “Music.”

Music of Ethnic, National, and Religious Groups Qualification by language of text

If the work is composed primarily of ballads, folk songs, children’s songs, or songs, assign up to two headings qualified by the original language of the text or language group (if three or more languages).

The qualifier is for the language; not the country of origin.

Examples: Folk songs, Swedish Ballads, Slavic

Musical Presentation and Form Subdivisions The free-floating subdivisions can be

assigned to collections and individual musical works.

Written or printed format of music subdivisions Examples (most common):

$v Parts $v Scores $v Scores and parts $v Solo with piano $v Vocal scores with piano

Musical Presentation and Form Subdivisions

NOT used with headings for music for occasions, many vocal forms, or headings already subdivided by $v Hymns, $v Music, $v Musical settings, or $v Songs and music.

Reminder: $v Scores is only appropriate with music in score form; i.e. several staves in vertical alignment. Do not use $v Scores with headings for solo instrumental music.

Generally do not use $v Scores or $v Vocal scores with popular music headings.

Musical Presentation and Form Subdivisions Other subdivisions

Common examples: $v Cadenzas $v Excerpts $v Excerpts, Arranged $v Juvenile $v Simplified editions

Methods and Exercises

For methods and exercises, use one of the following subdivisions after the term for the instrument (most common): $v Methods $v Methods (Alternative rock) [… etc.] $v Orchestral excerpts $v Studies and exercises $v Studies and exercises (Alternative rock) […

etc.] Example:

650 #0 $a Flute $v Studies and exercises.

Compilations

When feasible, attempt to provide subject access to each work in a compilation or on a sound recording.

Rule of thumb: if a work is represented by an access point in a record, it should be represented by a subject heading as well.

Questions?