Diversifying Repertoire: Search Strategies

Ask yourself:

• What am I looking for?
• What do I want to use it for?
• Where might I find it?

Having a clear idea of what you want can help focus your search.

• Use databases, encyclopedias and anthologies to find composer names.
  • Use the database section of this LibGuide to find composers of specific identities.
• Looking for a specific composer identity?
  • Instead of searching composer names, you can also use subject heading or keyword searches within a library catalog to find composers or pieces.
  • Subject Heading Examples

Once you have a composer name or subject heading you’d like to use, search the catalog to find what you are looking for.

When looking for specific resources such as music scores or music recordings, it can be helpful to use search limiters to narrow the search results.

For example, if you are searching for a score, narrow your search by “resource type” to “music score”.

The screenshot below shows a UNC catalog search for ‘amadeo roldan’. The results can be narrowed by using search limiters like those in the Resource Type category – ‘music recording’, ‘music score’, and ‘book’ are shown as options for this search. To locate a score by this composer, you can limit your search to the ‘music score’ option.”

Browsing by call number is another way to find library resources. Call numbers arrange materials by relevance to subject, placing similarly themed items next to each other. This facilitates library patrons to find related works as they search through the library. The music library at UNC uses the Library of Congress classification system.