Step
1:
Find comprehensive information about the composer.
Consult the New Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians,
which is found in the Reference area of the library under
call number ML100.N48. Look under the name of the composer whose
work you are writing about. Here you will detailed biographical
information along with discussions of major works. It is likely that
the work you are writing about will be discussed in this long
article.
Step 2:
Find articles and books.
Books
It is likely that the library will have one or more books about the
composer, possibly some that focus on the type of work that you are
researching. For example, you will find many books on Mozart, some of
which are specifically about his concertos. To find these books, go to
the
library catalog, advanced search page and type in the composer's name, changing the dropdown box to
"subject. On the next line, try a keyword to narrow the search.
Articles may be available online or in hard copy. If you need
an article that is not in our library, go to the
Interlibrary Loan Article Request page and submit a request. The
library will then get a copy of the article and forward it to you.
Step 3:
Find a Musical Score
To locate musical scores in the library, go to the
library catalog, advanced search page. Type in the
composer's name and change the dropdown to "Author." On the
next line type in keywords to represent the piece of music you want
to find. In the Limits section, use the Formats
drop-down menu to select "Scores."
to
ex: 1992 to 1995 will include
all records from 1992 through the end of 1995.
or
Sometimes it is difficult to figure out which terms to use for the
piece of music. You might try opus numbers (Example:
op. 12) or even popular names (Example: Messiah). If you
have trouble finding what you need, be sure to ask for
help!
Ordering materials from other
libraries:
When Blackwell Library doesn't have what you need, or if the
local copy is currently not available, you can request books and scores
from other USMAI libraries. Find the item in the
online catalog and click on the REQUEST button. If you are
not already logged in, the system will prompt you to do so. Use
your 14-digit Gull Card number.
Step 4:
Find a Recording
The easiest way to find a musical excerpt is to use the classical.com web site,
which is a database of music purchased by the library. Select
your composer's name from the alphabetical list. You will then
see a listing of this composer's works, each with a play button and
a download button. As indicated in the listing for each work,
the database company charges a very small fee for downloading.
Please download from a personally-owned computer rather than a
library or campus computer!
You can access the
classical.com
database in the Music Listening Room on the second
floor of Blackwell Library. Your Gull Card will open the door.
You can also access this database from computers outside the library
as long as you use the link above.
You might also try finding a recording in the library's
collection by following the instructions in Step 3 and selecting "Sound
Recordings (All)" from the Formats drop-down menu.
This collection is small at present but you may find exactly what
you need.
Step 5: Compile a Discography
There are several ways of finding information about recordings.
Start by looking in books about the composer; many
of these include discographies which will be especially valuable for
identifying older recordings.
Then, search online using a your favorite search engine, such as
google. Type in the name of
your composer and the word "discography."
For the latest recordings of the work, search commercial sites such
as these:
