Skip to Main Content

Finding Music in ZSR Library: TRADITIONAL MUSIC

Advanced Search recommended

The following illustrations show the "Advanced Search" in the library catalog. (On the Library's homepage, click "Catalog" then "Advanced Search" beside the search box.) 

Music of a Specific Country or People

The names of countries, regions, or peoples can be combined with the word “music” as search terms.  Use subject terms like these:

Music – India

Music – Latin America

Jews – Music

 

         Subject     Contains     music india

 

The subject term “Folk music” can also be combined with the names of countries or regions:

 

         Subject     Contains     folk music hungary

 

The subject term “Folk songs” can be combined with the names of countries, regions, peoples, nationalities, and languages. Use subject terms like these:

Folk songs, American

Folk songs, Jewish

Folk songs, Bantu

 

         Subject     Contains     folk songs french

 

To get more results:

When researching a country, try broadening your search to its region (for example, music of Brazil may be included on a CD album of Latin American music).

 When researching a region, also search individual countries in the region.

 See also topical music.

 

 

Instruments

Names of specific instruments can be searched as a keyword search. This will retrieve any mention of the instrument as accompaniment in a recording’s credits, as well as subject headings for the instrument when it is playing a prominent role.

 

         Any Field     Contains     erhu 

 

Or, search broader categories of instruments, combined with the name of a country or region:

 

        Subject     Contains     stringed instruments china

 

You can also use Hornbostel/Sachs terms (aerophone, chordophone, membranophone, idiophone). Search these as keywords:

 

         Any Field     Contains     chordophone*

 (The asterisk will retrieve both "chordophone" and "chordophones.")

 

Books on Ethnomusicology, World music, or Folk music

Use the following subject terms, combined with the name of a specific country if desired:

Ethnomusicology

Sound recordings in ethnomusicology

World music

Folk music

Folk songs

Religious, Sacred, or Worship music

There are a number of subject terms that relate to music and religious practice:

 

Music of specific communities

The word “music” can be combined with the names of peoples, religious communities, or houses of worship.  Use subject terms like these:

Church music

Synagogue music

Navajo Indians – Music

Hindu music

 

        Subject     Contains Phrase     hindu music

 

Hymns and hymnals

Both these words can be searched as subject headings.

“Hymns” can also be combined with the names of countries, nationalities, languages, and denominations. Use subject terms like these:

Hymns, American

Hymns, English – United States   (“English” here refers to the language.)

Catholic Church – Hymns

Baptists – Hymns

 

         Subject     Contains Phrase     hymns american

 

Music for specific holidays

The following can be searched as subject terms:

Epiphany music

Lenten music

Easter music

Advent music

Christmas music

Passover music

Synagogue music – Rosh ha-Shanah services

 

         Subject     Contains Phrase     Christmas music

 

Religious texts set to music

Well-known texts can be searched as subject terms, combined with the word “music”:

 

         Subject     Contains     ave maria music

 

         Subject     Contains     psalms 23 music

 

 Lesser-known texts can be searched as titles or keywords:

 

         Title     Contains Phrase     sursum corda

 

 

Religious forms and genres

Use subject terms like these:

Chants (Plain, Gregorian, etc.)

Chants (Buddhist)

Masses

Requiems

Choruses, Sacred

Sacred songs

Sacred vocal music

Organ music

Spirituals (Music)

Gospel music

Contemporary Christian music

 

         Subject     Contains Phrase     chants buddhist

 

Subject Guide

Profile Photo
Leslie McCall
Contact:
Office: 251 ZSR Library
Phone: 336-758-5474