The following general works of music
reference will serve in most instances as the best starting points for
questions having to do with music terminology, theory, chronology, or
bio-bibliography. Encompassing simple definitions as well as sweeping
syntheses, they assist in the approach to large spans of material. For
more specific subject reference sources consult the annotated guides
listed below.
Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians. 9th ed.
Edited by Laura Kuhn [et al.]. New York: Schirmer, 2001. 6 vols.
REF ML105 .B168B4 2001
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. 3rd ed. Edited by
Colin Larkin. New York: MUZE, 1998. 8 vols.
REF ML102 .P831E6 1998
The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music. Edited by
James Porter and Timothy Rice. New York: Garland, 1998-2001; Routledge,
2002. 10 vols.
REF ML100 .G37 1998
The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. 2nd
ed. Edited by Stanley Sadie and John Tyrrell. London: Macmillan, 2001.
29 vols.
REF ML100 .N48 2001
The New Harvard Dictionary of Music. Edited by Don
Michael Randel. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1986.
REF ML100 .R3N4 1986
Reference resources on the Web are too
vast--and unstable--to summarize in any meaningful way, and visions of
fully monitored, deep-search aggregating metasites are still in the
developmental stages. But for basic questions the following
(nonsubscription) music reference tools may be of service:
Worldwide Internet Music Resources (Indiana University
Cook Music Library)
library.music.indiana.edu/music_resources/
MusicWeb Encyclopaedia of Popular Music
www.musicweb.uk.net/encyclopaedia/
The Instrument Encyclopedia
www.si.umich.edu/chico/instrument/
For questions or to find
additional
relevant music
materials contact Dr. Mark Germer, UArts Music
Librarian.
