Sibley Music Library

 
Reference Guides - Theory
This guide is designed to help you find information about theory and theory-related topics. It will give you an overview of periodicals and books with theory as their main focus. Please consult Voyager for complete holdings information and ask the reference assistant for help if needed.


Call Numbers Subject Headings Bibliography Periodicals Internet


 
Suggested Call Numbers for Shelf Browsing
Below are general call number ranges. For specific call numbers, consult the Library of Congress Classification Schedule in the blue book at the Reference Desk, and/or Voyager.

ML (Literature on Music)
ML95.2 Eastman Theses (including theory topics)
ML95.3 Eastman Dissertations (including theory topics)
ML430 History of Theory, Notation
ML437 Rhythm
ML440 Melody
ML442 Figured Bass/Thoroughbass
ML444 Harmony
ML446 Counterpoint/Polyphony
ML448 Forms (fugue, passacaglia, etc.)
ML455 History of Instrumentation and Orchestration
ML3805 Acoustics
ML3809 Tunings and temperament
ML3811 Tonality, atonality, polytonality, etc.
ML3812 Modes, scales
ML3830 Psychology of Music
ML3845 Aesthetics


MT (Musical Instruction and Study)
MT6 General Theory (analysis, appreciation), some textbooks
MT7 Rudiments, Fundamentals
MT42 Rhythm
MT47 Melody
MT49 Figured Bass
MT50 Harmony (textbooks)
MT52 Modulation
MT55 Counterpoint, polyphony
MT58-59-62 Form, anthologies
MT90 Analytical guides, etc. (including the Tovey series)
MT224 Keyboard Harmony
MT870 Sight-singing (solfege, methods)


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Suggested Subject Headings
Below are examples of some useful subject headings for use in Voyager. For complete listings of headings, consult the Library of Congress Subject Headings (red books).

  • Music Theory
  • Harmony
  • Music Theory 13th Century (14th-20th)
  • Counterpoint
  • Sight-Singing
  • Musical Analysis
  • Musical Form
  • Keyboard Harmony
  • Music Theory History
  • Music Theory Terminology

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Selected Bibliography of Reference Books Concerning Theory
Damschroder, David. Music Theory from Zarlino to Schenker: a bibliography and guide. New York: Pendragon Press, 1990. Ref. ML128.T39 D166 M9 1990
Diamond, Harold. Music Analyses: An Annotated Guide to the Literature. New York: Schirmer Books, 1991. Ref. ML128.A7 D537 1991
Johnson, Jeffrey. Thesaurus of Abstract Musical Properties: A Theoretical and Compositional Resource. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1995. Ref. ML108.J67 T41 1995
Jones, George Anthony. Glossary of Terms: A Companion to Perspectives of New Music and Journal of Music Theory. Rochester, NY: 1969. Ref. ML108.J77G
Die Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart, Sachteil, neubearbeitete ausgabe, articles on "Analyse", "Harmonielehre", etc. Ref. ML100.B658 1994
Perone, James E. Musical Anthologies for analytical study: a bibliography. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1995. Ref. ML128.A7 P453 1995
Rolf, Marie ed. The State of Research in Music Theory: A Collection of Selective Bibliographies. Rochester, NY: Society for Music Theory, 1987. Ref. ML128.T39 S797 1987
New Grove Dictionary of Music, articles on "Theory", "Analysis", "Counterpoint", etc. Ref. ML102.I5 N532 1984
New Harvard Dictionary of Music, articles on "Theory" and "History of Theory" by Matthew Brown. Ref. ML100.N531 1986
Stetzer, Charles W., Jr. A Set Theory Bibliography: A Select and Annotated Listing of Current Music Articles. Rochester, NY: 1972. Ref. ML128.T39 S84
The Theory of Music: Descriptive Catalog of Manuscripts, v. 1-5. Munchen: G. Henle, c1961-1997. Ref. ML113.I61B v.3
Thesaurus Musicarum Latinarum: canon of data files: including introduction to the TML, principles of orthography and table of codes for noteshapes, table of contents of major series and their location in the TML, and index of incipits. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 1999. Ref. ML128.M3 T41 1999
Wenk, Arthur. Analyses of Nineteenth and Twentieth-Century Music, 1940-1985. Boston: Music Library Association, 1987. Ref. ML128.A7 W47 1987


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  Selected Current Theory and Theory-Related Periodicals at Sibley
  • Analyse Musicale (1985-)
  • Ex tempore (1981-)
  • In Theory Only (1975/76-)
  • Indiana Theory Review (1977/78-)
  • Integral (1987-)
  • Interface/Journal of New Music Research (1972-)
  • Journal of Music Theory (1957-)
  • Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy (1987-)
  • Musicae Scientiae (1997-)
  • Music Theory Spectrum (1979-)
  • Musiktheorie (1986-)
  • Music Analysis (1982-)
  • Music Perception (1983/84-)
  • Perspectives of New Music (1962-)
  • SONUS (1980/81-)
  • Theoria (1985-)
  • Theory and Practice (1975-)
  • Music Theory Online
  • Zeitschrift fur Musiktheorie (1970-1978)

Current issues of periodicals are found alphabetically in the current periodicals room (third floor). For call numbers of older, bound issues, look in the Sibley Library Serials list (found on quick reference shelves).


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Internet
Links to Music Theory Sites
Society for Music Theory
Thesaurus Musicarum Latinarum
Usenet: rec.music.theory


Compiled by Dave Thurmaier, 7/97; Rev. by Jim Farrington, 9/99


Top Call Numbers Subject Headings Bibliography Periodicals Internet