Library Research
An introduction to the LCC system for music
Music call numbers in the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) system are subdivided by format.
Music literature is shelved under ML (note that we only have a few items, primarily librettos, in the music library under ML; most music literature is held in the main library and is shelved using the Dewey Decimal system). Music education items are shelved under MT. These items are located in the Music Education Room and include both books (e.g. teaching manuals) and scores (e.g. studies and methods). Scores are shelved under M in the main part of the music library.
LC Call Numbers by Instrument
Click on the instrument name to find a listing of LC call numbers by instrument
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Studies and methods(Bassoon family)
MT400-MT415
Solo
M75 - M79
Bassoon and piano
M253 - M254 (including transcriptions)
Bassoon duets
M288 - M289
Bassoon and orchestra
M1026 - M1027
Studies and methods
MT380 - MT388
Solo
M70 - M74
Clarinet and piano
M248 - M252
Clarinet duets
M288 - M289
Clarinet and orchestra
M1024 - M1025
Studies and methods
MT340 - MT348
Solo
M60 - M64
Flute and piano
M240 - M242
Transcriptions
M243 - M244
Flute duets
M288 - M289
Flute and orchestra
M1020 - M1021
Studies and methods
MT580 - MT588
Solo
M125 - M127
Transcriptions
M128 - M129
Guitar and piano
M276 - M277
Guitar duets
M292 - M293
Guitar and orchestra
M1037.4 .G8
Guitar and String orchestra
M1137.4 .G8
name="hor" id="hor">
Studies and methods (Horn family)
MT420 - MT432
Solo
M80 - M84
Horn and piano
M255 - M259 (including transcriptions)
Horn duets
M288 - M289
Horn and orchestra
M1028 - M1029
name="obo" id="obo">
Studies and methods (oboe family)
MT360 - MT379
Solo
M65 - M69
Oboe and piano
M245 - M246
Transcriptions
M245, M247
Oboe duets
M288 - M289
Oboe and orchestra
M1022 - M1023
name="pia" id="pia">
SOLO
CHAMBER MUSIC SCORES
THEORETICAL BOOKS ABOUT THE PIANO and PIANO MUSIC
PIANO MUSIC - ANALYSIS, APPRECIATION
Studies and methods
MT500 - MT508
name="sax" id="sax">
Solo
M105 - M107
Transcriptions
M108 - M109
Saxophone and piano
M268 - M269
Saxophone duets
M288 - M289
Saxophone and orchestra
M1034.S4 (cadenzas M1034.5.S4)
Solo with piano
M1034.S4
Saxophone and string orchestra (& solo with piano)
M1134.S4
Studies and methods
MT440 - MT448
name="tru" id="tru">
Solo
M85 - M87
Transcriptions
M88 - M89
Trumpet and piano
M260 - M261
Trumpet duets
M288 - M289
Trumpet and orchestra
M1030 (cadenzas M1030.5)
solo with piano
M1031
Trumpet and string orchestra
M1130
Solo with piano
M1131
Studies and methods
MT280 - MT298
name="via" id="via">
Solo
M45 - M47
Transcriptions
M48 - M49
Viola and piano
M224 - M226
Transcriptions
M227 - M228
Viola duets
M286 - M287
Viola and orchestra
M1014 (cadenzas M1014.5)
Solo with piano
M1015
Viola and string orchestra
M1114
Solo with piano
M1115
name="vin" id="vin">
Studies and methods
MT260 - MT279
Solo
M40 - M42
Transcriptions
M43 - M44
Violin and piano
M217 - M221
Transcriptions
M222 - M223
Violin duets
M286 - M287
Violin and orchestra
M1012 (cadenzas M1012.5)
Solo with piano
M1013
Violin and string orchestra
M1112
Solo with piano
M1113
name="vio" id="vio">
Studies and methods
MT300 - MT318
Solo
M50 - M52
Transcriptions
M53 - M54
Violoncello and piano
M229 - M233
Transcriptions
M235 - M236
Violoncello duets
M286 - M287
Violoncello and orchestra
M1016 (cadenzas M1016.5)
Solo with piano
M1017
Violinoncello and string orchestra
M1116
Solo with piano
M1117
Songs are generally classified by the instrumental accompaniment or as excerpts of larger dramatic works. Within each section, the scores are filed alphabetically by composer.
SCORES
The basics of how LCC works
Scores are classified primarily according to medium of performance. Various subcategories are also used, including number of performers, genre, and form. For example, full scores of operas are shelved under M1500 while opera vocal scores are shelved under M1503. As someone looking for a score, consider if you need the full score or the vocal score—or perhaps either will do?
Remember that LCC relies primarily on medium of performance. The system does not always distinguish between ‘classical’ and ‘popular’ music. For example, you will find both opera and musical vocal scores shelved under M1503; however, you will find that art song and popular song are shelved under different call numbers. This can get tricky at times—remember that what you may consider an art song, LCC might consider a popular song!
Note that the LCC call number also gives you other information about the score. Most duos will have a call number in the M200s while quintets will be shelved under the M500s.
LCC often shelves original works and arrangements under different call numbers. You may need to check under both call numbers if you are not sure whether or not the score you are looking for is an arrangement.
Searching using the ‘Special Call Number’ feature
Using the ‘special call number’ feature found in the drop down menu on the front page of the library catalog, you can search and browse for scores using the call number. Note that there is a difference between the ‘call number’ search option and the ‘special call number’ search option. You need to use the ‘special call number’ option to search for LCC scores. The ‘call number’ option only searches items in Dewey.
A special call number search is not necessarily the most efficient choice of search strategy; however, after a while, you may find that you begin to remember the call numbers for the particular types of scores that you use most often. Once you reach this stage, a special call number search could be your most efficient choice, particularly if combined with a composer’s cutter (see Finding Scores Using a Composer’s Cutter Number).
There are two important points to remember when using a special call number search.
1) If a special call number search shows that we do not have an item, we may still own it as part of a composer’s complete works edition (see Using Composers Complete Works Editions).
2) Sometimes a score may not be found under the call number its title suggests. For example, symphonies are found under M1001; however, Shostakovich’s Symphony 14 is found under M1528 because it is in the format of a vocal duet with orchestra.
A few examples of some useful LCC call numbers
M3 Composers complete works editions
M23 Piano sonatas
M312 Piano trios
M452 String quartets
M512 Piano quintets
M557 Woodwind quintets
M557.4 Brass quintets
M1001 Symphonies
M1002 Tone poems
M1003 Orchestral suites and variations
M1004 Overtures
M1500 Operas/Musicals—full scores
M1503 Operas/Musicals—vocal scores
M1507 Collections of opera/musical excerpts—vocal scores
M1520 Ballets
M1530 Secular cantatas/oratorios—full scores
M1533 Secular cantatas/oratorios—vocal scores
M1619 Art song collections
M1620 Art song collections by composer
M1621 Individual art songs
M1630.18 American popular song collections
M2000 Sacred oratorios—full scores
M2003 Sacred oratorios—vocal scores
M2010 Masses, including Requiems—full scores
M2020 Sacred cantatas—full scores
M2023 Sacred cantatas—vocal scores
M2072 Anthems
M2110 Sacred song collections
M2117 Hymn collectionsFurther information
If you would like more information on LCC call numbers specific to your instrument or musical score needs, contact the music librarian.
For an overview of the LCC system for music, click here.
The ‘Music Cataloguing at Yale’ website at Yale University provides greater detail on LCC call numbers. To access this information, click here.