Voice Handy Guide
A brief guide to finding music for voice and books about singing.
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.
- 71 = Folk and popular songs
- 75 = Solo art songs
- ML1400-ML3275 = History of vocal music
- MT820-MT893 = Instruction, methods
LOOKING FOR PRINTED MUSIC OR RECORDINGS OF A SPECIFIC PIECE OF MUSIC
Any or all of the following methods may work:- Do a TITLE search in WNCLN's Library Catalog . Use original language if known.
- Do a KEYWORD search in WNCLN's Library Catalog , using the most distinctive word in title.
- Do an AUTHOR search in WNCLN's Library Catalog , then "JUMP" to title "Songs" to find collections of the composer's works.
- Look in the larger work of which your piece is a part (i.e., do a TITLE search in Appalsource for the complete musical, opera, oratorio, or song cycle; use original language if known.)
- Look for title in an index of song collections. (Ref. ML 128 .S3 ...; see Reference Guide no. 25 for more explanation)
FINDING MUSIC
Do a SUBJECT search in WNCLN's Library Catalog , using terms found in Library of Congress Subject Headings, e.g.
- Songs (Medium voice) with piano
- Sacred songs (High voice) with instrumental ensemble
FINDING INFORMATION
Do a SUBJECT search in WNCLN's Library Catalog using the term "Singing."
BASIC REFERENCE TOOLS
The following titles will be useful in tracking down information about the solo voice and its repertoire.
- Kagen, Sergius. Music for the Voice: A Descriptive List of Concert and Teaching Material. (Rev. ed.) Ref. ML 128 .V7 K3 1968
- DeCharms and Breed. Songs in Collections: An Index. Ref. ML 128 .S3 D37
- Coffin, Singer and Delattre. Word-by-Word Translations of Songs and Arias. Ref. ML 54.6 .W65
JOURNALS
- The N.A.T.S. Journal
- Journal of Singing
- Journal of Voice
- Opera News
- Opera Quarterly