General Book Collection
Shelf arrangement and classification
Books are a good starting point for any study or research. They may contain information which is introductory or highly specialised, while the bibliographies they contain will also lead you to further relevant material.
Use the Library Catalogue to search our collections. For more comprehensive searching, use the following guides : Finding Books on Music | Finding Books on Ethnomusicology | Finding Books on Music Therapy | Finding Books on Music Education.
- Large sized books are shelved in a separate folio sequence (denoted f) after the main shelving sequence.
- Similar Dewey numbers relevant to music form part of the Baillieu collection - shelved on the second floor of the Baillieu Building.
- Materials that are in high demand are located in the Music Reserve Collection.
- A list of recently acquired music books is available.
The Music book collection are arranged into subject areas according to the following call number classifications.
| 615.85154 | - Music Therapy |
| 780 | - Music General |
| 780.1 | - Philosophy and theory, Musical notation, Editing, Analytical guides and program notes |
| 780.2 | - Miscellany - synopses and outlines, lists, catalogs, Sound recordings |
| 780.7 | - Education, research, performances, related topics, Special teaching and learning methods |
| 780.82 | - Women and music - women composers, musicians, etc. |
| 780.9 | - Music History : Ancient times to 21st century. |
| 780.901 | - Music History : Ancient times to 499 |
| 780.902 | - Music History : 500-1449 |
| 780.903 | - Music History : 1450- |
| 780.9031 | - Music History : ca.1450-1600 |
| 780.9032 | - Music History : ca.1600-1750 |
| 780.9033 | - Music History : ca.1750-1825 |
| 780.9034 | - Music History : ca.1825-1900 |
| 780.904 | - Music History : ca.1900-1999 |
| 780.92 | - Books about a particular composer and his music, arranged alphabetically by the composers name |
| 780.922 | - Books about a number of composers and their music, arranged variously by time period, geographically, etc. |
| 780.94-99 | - Music of particular countries, e.g. 780.951 - China, 780.96 - Spain, etc. |
| 781 | - Music Theory, Musical Analysis, Philosopy and aesthetics |
| 781.1 | - Music Semiotics, Musical Analysis, Philosopy and aesthetics, music appreciation, taste, Psychological aspects. |
| 781.2 | - Elements of music: 781.22 time, 781.23 sound, 781.24 melody, 781.25 harmony, 781.26 tonal systems, 781.28 texture. |
| 781.3 | - Composition : aleatory composition (chance music), 781.33 serialism, 781.34 computer composition, 781.36 extemporization (improvisation), arrangement, 781.374 orchestration, paraphrase & parody, 781.38 arrangements |
| 781.4 | - Techniques of music: 781.423 sight reading, 781.424 ear training, 781.426 memorizing, 781.43 Performance techniques,781.44 rehearsal and practice, 781.45 conducting technique, interpretation, 781.47 accompaniment |
| 781.5 | - Kinds of music: music for specific times, in specific settings (court, theatre, etc.), in specific media (film, radio, television), accompanying public entertainments (drama, dance, ballet), program music, accompanying activities, accompanying stages of the life cycle, reflecting other themes and subjects (protest, work, etc.) |
| 781.6 | - Traditions of music, 781.621 Folk Music, 781.64 Popular Music, 781.65 Jazz, 781.66 Rock Music |
| 781.7 | - Sacred music, Christian sacred music, Music of Christian church year, Sacred music of classical (Greek and Roman) and Germanic religions, Sacred music of other specific religions. |
| 781.8 | - Musical forms: Binary, Ternary, Da Capo, Rondo, Variation, Paraphrase, Ground Bass, Cantus Firmus forms,etc. |
| 782 | - Vocal music : history and development of music
compositions ; 782.1 Opera ; 782.12 Operetta ; 782.14 Musicals ; 782.22 Sacred Vocal Forms ; 782.23 Oratorios ; 782.24 Cantatas, etc. 782.3 Services (Liturgy and ritual) ; 782.4 Secular forms: songs, madrigals, lieder, etc. |
| 783 | - The Voice, Music for single voices, Single voices in combination, Solo voice, High voice, Middle voice, Low voice, Woman's, child's, man's voice, other type of voice. |
| 784 | - Instruments & instrumental ensembles: history
and development of music compositions ; 784.2 Full (Symphony) orchestra ; 784.3 Chamber orchestra ; 784.4 Light orchestra - school, dance orchestras ; 784.6 Keyboard, mechanical, electronic, percussion bands ; 784.7 String orchestra ; 784.8 Wind band ; 784.9 Brass band. |
| 785 | - Chamber music: ensembles with only one instrument per part, duets, trios, quartets, quintets, etc., Ensembles with keyboard, with percussion and keyboard, percussion ensembles, string ensembles, woodwind ensembles, Brass ensembles. |
| 786 | - Keyboard instruments : history and development of music compositions ; 786.2 Pianos ; 786.3 Clavichords ; 786.4 Harpsichords ; 786.5 Organs. |
| 786.8 |
- Percussion instruments : history and development of music compositions ; 786.9 Drums. |
| 787 | - Stringed instruments : history and development of music compositions ; 787.2 Violins ; 787.3 Violas ; 787.6 Viols ; 787.4 Cellos ; 787.5 Double Basses ; 787.6 Viols |
| 787.8 | - Lute family : history and development of music compositions ; 787.83 Lutes ; 787.84 Mandolins ; 787.86 Vihuelas ; 787.87 Guitars ; 787.88 Banjos . |
| 788.2 | - Woodwind instruments : history and development of music compositions ; 788.32 Flutes ; 788.36 Recorders ; 788.4 Reed instruments. |
| 788.5 | - Wind instruments : history and development of music compositions ; 788.52 Oboes, 788.53 Cors anglais ; 788.58 Bassoons ; 788.62 Clarinets ; 788.7 Saxophones. |
| 788.9 |
- Brass instruments : history and development of music compositions ; 788.92 Trumpets ; 788.93 Trombones, 788.94 French Horns ; 788.95 Bugles ; 788.96 Cornets ; 788.975 Tubas. |