Percussion Handy Guide
A brief guide to finding music for percussion and books about it.
BROWSING
Because printed music and books are classified--i.e., grouped with similar items on the shelves--browsing can be an effective method for finding material. Look on the SHELVES or in the FILE under the following numbers.
- 46.1 & 47.1 = Solo percussion music
- 46.2 & 47.2 = Percussion and piano
- 54 = Percussion (or plectral) ensembles
- ML1030-ML1040 = History
- MT655-MT662 = Instruction, methods
LOOKING FOR PRINTED MUSIC OR RECORDINGS OF A SPECIFIC PIECE OF MUSIC
- Use AUTHOR search in WNCLN's Library Catalog , using composer's last name and first name. Arrangement of a composer's works is by UNIFORM TITLE. Uniform titles are either DISTINCTIVE titles in the original language, or GENERIC titles, which begin with form or genre, and followed by performance medium, serial or opus or thematic catalogue number, and key. Examples:
- Introduction et rondo capriccioso [for work by Saint-Saëns]
- Sonatas, violin, piano, no. 8, op. 30, no. 3, G major
- For shorter works, do a TITLE search in WNCLN's Library Catalog ; if that retrieves nothing or only a few items, enter command "W" Same search as WORD search.
FINDING MUSIC IN A SPECIFIC CATEGORY
Do a SUBJECT search in WNCLN's Library Catalog , using terms found in Library of Congress Subject Headings, e.g.
- Sonatas (Piano)
- Harpsichord music
FINDING INFORMATION ON THE INSTRUMENT
Do a SUBJECT search in WNCLN's Library Catalog using the name of the instrument.
BASIC REFERENCE TOOLS
The following titles will be useful in tracking down information about percussion instruments and their repertoire.
- Percussive Arts Society. Solo and Ensemble Literature for Percussion. (1978) Ref. ML 128 .P23 P4x
- Beck, John H. Encyclopedia of Percussion. Ref. ML 102 .P4 E5 1995
- Larrick, Geary. Biographical Essays on Twentieth-Century Percussionists. Ref. ML 105 .L35 1992
- Bajzek, Dieter. Percussion: An Annotated Bibliography with Special Emphasis on Contemporary Notation and Performance. Ref. ML 128 .P23 B34 1988
- Skei, Allen B. Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion Instruments of the Orchestra: A Bibliographic Guide. Ref. ML 128 .W5 S6 1985
- Meza, Fernando A. Percussion Discography: An International Compilation of Solo and Chamber Percussion Music. Ref. ML 156.4 .P4 M5 1990
JOURNAL
- Percussive Notes
- Modern Drummer