Related Links:
HOMER for Musicians
Brief PDF search guide
Finding Music Series
Detailed
PDF search guides
Find scores in sets or anthologies (PDF guide)
Scores & Recordings: Quick Search Instructions
Topics Covered
- Keyword Search (mix and match terms)
- Prolific Author/Composer Search (browse composer's works)
- Call Number Search
- Detailed Search Guides
Most of UConn's scores and recordings are listed in HOMER (UConn's library catalog). Below are effective searches for finding music.
Keyword Search
Just type a few words as you would in Google. Good for songs or works with distinctive titles. Not as good for generic form titles (e.g., sonatas). Good for mixing terms or trying various word forms.
1. In HOMER, select the Keyword search.
2. Enter any words from the composer, title, publisher,
etc. Type "and" between words.
Example:
mozart figaro (searches for the
composer and the title keyword)
3. A question mark (?) finds word variants:
sonat? finds sonata, sonatas, sonatina,
etc.
Example:
weber clarinet concerto? (finds
concerto or concertos)
4. Use the Limit To menu to select
Music Score, Musical
Recording, or
Videorecording.
5. Many works are part of a larger set (e.g., a sonata
published in a collection of the composer's complete
sonatas, an aria inside an opera, etc.). Try omitting opus
numbers, keys, or individual songs/movements in case your
work was published as part of a larger set. Instead search
the broader terms (e.g., composer, genre, and
instrument).
Example:
beethoven piano sonata?
(finds a collection of piano sonatas rather than the one
"Moonlight Sonata")
Example:
verdi adieu
(finds
a single aria in a collection of excerpts, but keep reading
. . .
)
Example:
traviata verdi [notice how word
order does NOT matter]
(finds
the opera, La Traviata, which includes the single
aria, "Adieu Fond Dreams")
6. For audio or video recordings, you can add mcd (music compact disc), lp, dvd, or vhs.
Example:
verdi traviata mcd (finds just CDs of
Verdi's Traviata).
Here is information about the more advanced Keyword Boolean searching (PDF guide with illustrations). Keyword Boolean allows you to use the operators AND, OR, NOT, plus parentheses, to create more sophisticated and powerful keyword searches.
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Prolific Author/Composer Search
Just enter the composers's last name to browse his or her musical works. Good for form/genre titles such as sonatas or symphonies or works that have many titles or versions (e.g., Magic Flute vs. Zauberflaute). Gives cross references to alternative titles (the Keyword search doesn't do this).
1. In HOMER, select the Prolific Author/Composer search.
2. Type composer's last name. Can add first initial or
name. Example: verdi g
3. Limits do not work with this search.
4. Browse resulting alphabetical works list.
TIP 1: Click the "See Also" buttons to find alternative titles of the work.
Note: if HOMER says "0" (or zero) titles, it simply means "no items are listed under this title; try the alternate title instead." (That's when you click on "See Also.")
"0" titles means "no items under this title; use the alternative title instead."
TIP 2: Browse various titles. Your work
could be listed under a
single movement, aria,
or song;
complete work (e.g., an
opera or song cycle);
collection by genre
(e.g., set of sonatas);
collection by
instrument (e.g., set of piano music); or
under "works" (implying
a composer's complete output).
TIP 3: Jump to the title you want in the results list!
1. In the list, highlight and copy the composer's name, dates, and any work.
2. Do a new Prolific Author/Composer search.
3. Paste in copied info.
Example: Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827. Alleg
4. Replace the work with the first letters of the work you want.
Example: Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827. sym[phonies]
Here is more information about Prolific Author/Composer searching (PDF guide with illustrations).
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Call Number Search
Recordings (e.g., MCD, LP, MVT, etc.)
Enter the first element (e.g., MCD, LP, MVT), followed by first letter(s) denoting composer or collection. Do not enter any of the remaining numbers.
Example: mcd m
(finds a call number list of compact discs starting at "m" [Mahler, Mendelssohn, etc.])Example: lp jz
(finds a call number list of jazz LPs)
Warning: if you type the entire call number for a recording, you will get to the wrong place.
Scores
Enter the call number with or without spaces or punctuation. Exceptions: for opus, thematic catalog, or work numbers, leave a space before the abbreviation, and use a period after abbreviation.
Example: m1001 p96 op.25 (can be shortened, e.g., m1001 p)
(finds Prokofiev's Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25 ("Classical"), plus other Prokoviev symphonies shelved nearby)
Here is more information about Call Number searching (PDF
guide with illustrations).
Here is an explanation of How to Read AV
Call Numbers.
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Detailed Search Guides
For more information, consult the search guides below.
- Basic HOMER Searching (Music Emphasis) (PDF) -- One-page quick guide
- Finding Music series -- Detailed step-by-step guides (with illustrations)
More information:
Find scores in sets or
anthologies, in other
libraries, or on the web.
You may be able to find recordings online using Naxos Music Library or
Digital Audio
Reserve.
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This page was found at http://www.lib.uconn.edu/music/music_quicksearch.html