Library of Congress Music Classification
Topical Guide to Music in the Library of Congress Classification¹
Using the Guide: Look up an instrument, ensemble, or genre alphabetically to find LC class numbers that apply to scores and recordings (M), literature of music (ML), or instruction and study (MT). Make note of the class numbers, and then go to the appropriate area of the library’s book stacks to browse. Examples of topical entries are: Band, Flute, Choral Music (Sacred), Choral Music (Secular), Oratorio, Music Education, or Suites.
Major Classifcation areas are:
M: Music (scores or recordings
ML: Music Literature (books about music history, genres, musicians, etc.)
MT: Music Teaching and Technical Areas (books on music education, theory, listener's guides, pedagogy of individual instruments or ensembles)
¹Created in this form by Pauline S. Bayne and verified and revised by Margaret Kaus, 2005. The idea for this guide originated with Jeannette Drone, music librarian at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis). She inserted LC classification summaries into the card catalog there in the 1970s. We have used a version of the guide for many years on the University of Tennessee Music Library web site. May 2005.
