Music Cataloging at Yale Music cataloging resources

AACR2 does not define the ranges of vocal types. General practice is to follow the instructions given in the Subject Cataloging Manual: Subject Headings section H 1917.5: Base vocal range on the verbal indication on the item. If no vocal range is indicated, use the ranges specified in the New Harvard Dictionary of Music:

Please note that these definitions, from the New Harvard Dictionary of Music, are used in music cataloging, using the Library of Congress Subject Headings and Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd ed. (AACR2).

Vocal ranges for solo or choral works may differ, as evidenced from the different ranges found in other sources.
For example, see:
° The Wikipedia article on vocal range, which gives different ranges for operatic works and choral works.
° Catherine Schmidt-Jones' article and chart.
° Grove Music Online definitions:

	soprano:	C4 to A5
	mezzo-soprano:	A3 to F#5
	alto:	G3 to E5 (and contralto as F3-D5)
	tenor:	roughly C3 to A4
	baritone:	A2 to F4
	bass:	F2 to E4

Comments to Mickey Koth Yale University Music Library
Last revised March 11, 2009.