The subject search is an effective approach to locating classical music. Most music libraries use Library of Congress Subject Headings in their catalogs. The music headings look similar to uniform titles, making it easy to confuse their structure.
Instrumental Music
Works for solo instrument
The subject heading for solo instrumental works consist of the name of the insturment followed by the word "music"
Duets
Duets for two similar instruments use the following pattern:
For duets of dissimilar, list the names of the instruments in aiphabetical order:
When searching for music of a single instrument plus a piano or other keyboard instrument, type name of the solo instrument first and accompanying keybaord instrument second.
Three to Nine instruments
For instrumental chamber music the type of ensemble is specified first up to a total of nine instruments, e.g.
etc.
If all of the instruments are from a single instrument family, begin with that word, e.g.
If the chamber ensemble has mixed instrumentation, specify the ensemble size (trios, quartets, etc) followed by the names of the instruments in the following order:
1. keyboard (piano, organ, etc)
2. wind
3. plucked (guitar, lute, etc.)
4. percussion
5. bowed string
6. other insturments in alphabetical order
If the piece can be described as a musical form, use that term instead of the numeral designation:
Within each of the 6 insturmental categories listed above, the instrumentation is given in alphabetical order except for bowed strings which are listed in score order, i.e., violin, viola, violoncello, double bass.
Only the form name is used for those form headings with standard instrumentation:
| Piano trios |
Violin, cello, piano |
| String quartets |
2 violins, viola and cello |
| Symphonies |
Orchestra |
Larger Ensembles
The subject heading for a musical form which uses more than ten instruments does not include instrumentation when it is implied:
Use the word concertos followed by instrument:
If no form describes the work, search by ensemble:
Instrumental ensemble
Orchestral music
Band music