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Music Education

Resources for undergraduates and graduate students pursuing degrees in Music Education

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Finding Books in OneSearch

OneSearch is Ball State Libraries' integrated discovery tool for books, scores, articles, recordings, and other library materials. It also indexes selected trustworthy online resources and incorporates subscription databases such as Academic Search Complete. On the Libraries' home page, you will see a simple search box:

Screen snip of the OneSearch search box from the Libraries main webpage.  Text reads:  "OneSearch.  Find articles, books, Music, DVDs, and more"  Beneath the text box for searching is a link for Advanced Search.

After searching for your topic, you may find more resources than you need. You can narrow your results by using the filters listed to the left of the search results. For both physical and online books owned by Ball State University Libraries, check "Library Catalog." For physical books, the location (Music Collection) and call number (beginning with "M") indicate the books' location in Bracken Library. To specify online books (ebooks) only, check "eBook Full Text Online." Some eBooks require log in with Ball State University authentication to view the book.

More information on OneSearch can be found at the research guide here: https://bsu.libguides.com/onesearch.

Classification and Call Numbers

The Music Collection at University Libraries uses Library of Congress Classification, or LCC, for organizing books and scores on the shelves. This system, maintained by the national library of the United States and utilized by libraries across the country and around the world, groups together items on similar subjects. Each item is then assigned a unique call number which combines alphabetical and numerical characters. These features are designed to make browsing library collections easier for users and librarians alike. Tip: Enter the first part of a call number into OneSearch to see all items in a given section.

Call Numbers for Music Education:

MT 1   Instruction and study. General works

MT 9 - 15   Printed pedagogical aids

MT 17   Music in special education

MT 18   Music in colleges and universities

MT 20 - 34   Systems and methods

MT 22   Jaques-Dalcroze

MT 23   Kodály

MT 26   Orff

MT 87   Community music

MT 170 - 810   Instrumental techniques

MT 170   General works

MT 179 - 258   Keyboard instruments

MT 259 - 338   Stringed instruments. Bowed stringed instruments

MT 339 - 533   Wind instruments

MT 655 - 725   Percussion and other instruments

MT 728 - 736   Ensembles

MT 740 - 810   Instrumental techniques for children

MT 820 - 915   Singing and vocal technique

MT 820   General works

MT 821   Physiology and care of the voice

MT 855 - 884   Specific techniques

MT 892   Interpretation, phrasing, expression, etc.

MT 898 - 915   Vocal techniques for children

MT 918 - 948   School music

Subject Headings and Subject Search

University Libraries also uses Library of Congress Subject Headings, or LCSH, to facilitate subject searching of its online records. This integrated and multilayered system of tagging establishes a controlled vocabulary whereby users can search the catalog with agreed upon terminology. The easiest way to run a subject search is to find an item with your subject and then click the red hyperlink under Details to see other works with this same subject. You can also set the search field to Subject Terms and enter approved subject headings manually.

Subject Headings for Music Education:

Music -- Instruction and Study

Music -- Psychological Aspects

School Music -- Instruction and Study

Singing -- Instruction and Study

Special Education -- Music

[instrument] -- Instruction and Study

[instrument] -- Methods

Recommended General Works for Music Education

Most books on music education are classified under the subclass MT, "Music -- Instruction and study." MT books are shelved in ranges 31 through 33 unless oversized or in the Music Reference area. The recommended books below are sorted by their call numbers. Hover over the info icon to see a description of the book.

Interlibrary Loan

Users are encouraged to search for items beyond University Libraries' catalog via RILM Abstracts of Music Literature and WorldCat. Materials not available in print or online may be requested through Interlibrary Loan. Please allow up to seven days for electronic delivery and up to fourteen days for delivery of physical items.