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Below are some helpful call numbers and subject headings to use while browsing the UW Libraries Music collections.

Call Numbers

Search the stacks by call number to locate composition resources in the UW Libraries. Browsing by call number, you will find performance repertoire, histories, and method books on the physical shelves.

Composition Techniques:
  • MT40: Composition
  • MT41: Composition using mechanical devices or prescribed formulas
  • MT56:  Electronic music composition, computer music composition
Elements of Music, Counterpoint, Forms & Genres:
  • MT42: Rhythm
  • MT45: Scales
  • MT46: Tonality, atonality, polytonality
  • MT47: Melody
  • MT50: Harmony
  • MT52: Modulation
  • MT55: Counterpoint, polyphony
  • MT58-MT67: Forms and genres
    • MT59: Canon and fugue
    • MT62: Sonata form
    • MT64.M65: Motion picture music
    • MT64.S6: Song
    • MT64.S7: String quartet
    • MT64.S9: Symphony
    • MT64.V53: Video game music
    • MT64.V63: Vocal music
    • MT67: Popular music
Instrumentation and Orchestration:
  • MT70: Orchestra
  • MT73: Band
  • MT73.5: Jazz band
  • MT74: Plucked instrument orchestras

Subject Headings

Use Library of Congress Subject Headings to locate resources for composition in the UW Libraries Search. Use the "Advanced Search" option to limit your search by "Subject" when using the controlled subject headings listed below.

  • Composition (Music)
  • Aleatory Music
  • Choral music--writing and publishing 
  • Computer game music--writing and publishing
  • Counterpoint
  • Electronic composition
  • Instrumentation and orchestration
  • Music notation
  • Music theory
    • Music theory-- 20th century
    • Music theory-- History and criticism
  • Musical accompaniment
  • Musical analysis
  • Musical form
  • Musical intervals and scales
  • Musicals--Writing and publishing
  • Popular music--Writing and publishing
  • Repetition in music
  • Silence in music
  • Symmetrical inversion (Music)
  • Time in music
  • Transposition (Music)
  • Twelve tone system