Viola Handy Guide
A brief guide to finding music for viola 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.
- 22.1 = Solo viola music
- 22.2 = Viola and piano
- 66.22 = Viola and orchestra
- ML900-ML905 = History
- MT280-MT298 = Instruction, methods
LOOKING FOR PRINTED MUSIC OR RECORDINGS OF A SPECIFIC PIECE OF MUSIC
- Use AUTHOR search in WNLCN'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:
- Schwanendreher [for work by Hindemith]
- Sonatas, viola, piano, op. 147 [for sonata by Shostakovich]
- For shorter works, do a TITLE search in WNLCN'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 (Viola)
- Viola and piano 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 the viola and its repertoire.
- Williams, Michael D. Music for Viola. (1979) Music Ref. ML 128 .V36 W53
- Zeyringer, Franz. Literatur fur Viola. Music Ref. ML 128 .V36 Z5 1976
- Wilkins, Wayne. Index of Viola Music. (1976) Music Ref. ML 128 .V36 W5
- Seagrave, B.G. & J. Berman. The A.S.T.A. Dictionary of Bowing Terms for String Instruments. (1968) Music Ref. ML 108 .S382 A2
JOURNALS
- American String Teacher
- The Strad
- Strings