Music Cataloging at Yale Music Subject Cataloging

From Subject Cataloging Manual: Subject Headings (See the Manual for the complete instructions)

H 1916.5, 2: Geographic and chronological subdivisions:

Select the chronological subdivision on the basis of:

For written music, in the following order of preference:    1. when the music was popular,    2. date of composition,    3. date of publication For performed music (sound recordings, moving images materials, etc.):    1. when the music was popular,    2. by the date of the recording, etc. According to H 1916.5, there are only seven headings for jazz and popular music that can be subdivided chronologically by decade [listed below], each of which have explicitly established (but not free-floating) chronological subdivisions that reflect their specific historical development. The standard century subdivisions listed in H 1916.5 (e.g., --To 500, --500-1400, --15th century, etc.) are not used as subdivisions for jazz and popular music subject headings or for subject headings for folk or non-Western music. The latter is covered under H 1917: Music of ethnic, national, and religious groups. There is no provision for chronological subdivision in H 1917. Source: edited from MLA-L messages from Jay Weitz and Chuck Herrold, June 18, 2008

H 1160, 3: Musical compositions: Geographic subdivisions:

This instruction sheet applies to headings representing musical forms and types of compositions, medium of performance, style, etc. Rock music is given as an example. The following instructions, excerpted from H 1160, apply to jazz and popular music subject headings:

Use geographic subdivisions to bring out the origin of the music when the geographic focus is stated or implied in the title or series. Exceptions are made for jazz and popular music styles and genres that originated in the United States [listed below].

When both chronological and geographic subdivisions are used in a heading, the geographic subdivision comes before the chronological subdivision.

Certain popular music styles and genres that originated in the United States are not subdivided by --United States. They may, however, when appropriate, be subdivided by regions, states, and cities of the United States.

¹ Inferred from LC practice.
² Original LC handout said no; however, LC Subject Cataloging Manual H 1619.6 does not list Gospel music as one of the headings not to be subdivided by "--United States."
³ Do not confuse with the subject headings Music by women composers and Feminist music

Comments to Mickey Koth Yale University Music Library
©Yale University Library Last revised August 10, 2011.