Music reference materials are sources that you consult quickly.

For example:

• MUSIC ENCYCLOPEDIAS- for an overview of a topic; also for detailed composer's works lists
• MUSIC DICTIONARIES - for brief definitions of terms or short explanation of a topic
• DIRECTORIES - with names and addresses for musicians, music-related companies and organizations
• BIOGRAPHICAL sources - for shorter than book-length information about a musician
• BIBLIOGRAPHY - for lists of recommended books, scores and recordings
• MUSIC BUSINESS and CAREER sources

Music reference books are located in the "M" section in the Reference stacks. The library also has some MUSIC RESEARCH GUIDES that describe how to find information about music.

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Below is a short list of useful music reference works. Many more are in the "M" section on the 2nd floor.

ENCYCLOPEDIAS:

The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music. Also online.
10 volumes + accompanying music CD's
Ref ML 100 G16 1998

Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World. 7 vols.
Ref ML 102 P66 C66 2003 

Encyclopedia of Popular Music. 4th edition. 10 vols. Also online.
Ref ML 102.P66 G84 2006

Encyclopedia of Recorded Sound. 2nd edition. 2 vols.
Ref ML 102 S67E5 2005

Music USA: The rough guide.
Ref ML3477. U67 1999

The New Grove Dictionary of American Music. 4 vols.
Ref ML 101 U6 N48 1986

The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz. 3 vols.
Ref ML 102 J3 N48 2002

The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. 29 vols. also Grove Music Online
Ref ML 100 N48 2001

The New Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments. 3 vols.
Ref ML 102 I5 N48 1984

The New Grove Dictionary of Opera. 4 vols.
Ref ML 102 O6 N5 1992

World Music: The rough guide. New edition. 2 vols.
Ref ML3470 W67 1999

DICTIONARIES:

The Harvard Dictionary of Music
Ref ML 100 A64 2003

Dictionary of Musical Technology
Ref ML 102 E4 C37 1992

A Dictionary of Musical Themes. Also online.
Ref ML 128 I65 B3

Oxford Dictionary of Music. Also online.
Ref ML 100 K35 2006

Webster's New World Dictionary of Music
Ref ML 100 S639 1998

Working Musician's Dictionary of Terms
Ref ML 102 P66 A55 2002

DIRECTORIES:

Hollywood Music Industry Directory (annual)
Ref ML 18 H658

The Indie Bible (annual)
Ref ML 105 I53

Musical America Worldwide. International Directory of the Performing Arts (annual)
Ref ML 12 M88

Purchaser's Guide to the Music Industries (annual)
Ref ML18 P9

BIOGRAPHY:

Baker's Biographical Dictionary. 6 vols.
Ref ML105 B16 2001

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

A Basic Music Library: Essential Scores and Sound Recordings - compiled by the Music Library Association.
Ref ML113 B3 1997

Music Reference and Research Materials. 5th edition.
Ref ML 113 D83 1997

MUSIC BUSINESS:

Music Business Handbook and Career Guide
Ref ML3795 B33 2006

The Musician's Business & Legal Guide
Ref ML3790 M84 2001

MUSIC RELATED JOBS:

Career Opportunities in the Music Industry. 5th edition.
Ref ML3795 F497 2004

Great Jobs for Music Majors. 2nd edition.
Ref ML3795 G74 2005

Danette Cook Adamson
dcadamson@csupomona.edu
9/08

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