Using the NIU Music Library -- The "M" Classification System
Call numbers are symbols designating where an item can be found
on the library shelves. The Northern Illinois University Music Library
uses the Library of Congress "M" classification system for the call
numbers of all of its books and scores and for a portion of the recorded
music collection.
The Library of Congress "M" system generally organizes books by subject,
and music by medium of performance. Here is a brief outline of the system,
with some selected highlights showing where some of the most frequently
used materials can be found.
M: MUSIC
M1-3: Collections containing both instrumental and vocal music
- M3: Composers' complete works
M6-1490: Instrumental music
- M6-14: Organ music
- M20-39: Piano music (M23: Piano sonatas)
- M180-298: Duets
- M300-386: Trios
- M400-486: Quartets (M452: String quartets)
- M500-586: Quintets
- M600-686: Sextets
- M1000-1075: Orchestra
- M1001: Symphonies
- M1010-1011: Piano concertos
- M1012-1013: Violin concertos
- M1100-1160: String orchestra
- M1200-1269: Band
- M1366: Jazz
- M1473: Electronic music
M1497-2199: Vocal music
- M1497-1998: Secular vocal music
- M1500: Opera full scores
- M1503: Opera vocal scores (accompaniment arranged for piano)
- M1530-1546: Secular choruses with ensemble accompaniment
- M1547-1600: Secular choruses with piano or unaccompanied
- M1611-1624: Secular songs for one voice
- M1619: Song collections (two or more composers)
- M1620: Song collections (one composer)
- M1990-1998: Secular music for children
- M1999-2199: Sacred vocal music
- M2000-2007: Oratorios
- M2020-2036: Sacred choruses and cantatas (with ensemble accompaniment)
- M2060-2101: Sacred choruses with piano or unaccompanied
- M2101-2114: Sacred songs for one voice
- M2115-2146: Hymnals
ML: LITERATURE ON MUSIC
- ML48-54: Librettos
- ML100-109: Dictionaries and encyclopedias of music
- ML159-3797: Music history and criticism
- ML385-429: Biography (ML410: Composer biographies)
- ML430-455: Composition
- ML549-1092: Musical instruments
- ML1400-3275: Literature about vocal music
- ML3845-3877: Philosophy and aesthetics of music
MT: MUSICAL INSTRUCTION AND STUDY
- MT6-7: Music theory
- MT70-71: Orchestra and orchestration
- MT90-145: Analytical guides (including program notes)
- MT95-100: Opera and ballet
- MT125-130: Orchestral music
- MT140-145: Chamber music
- MT170-810: Instrumental techniques (including method books)
- MT180-198: Organ
- MT220-255: Piano
- MT259-338: String instruments
- MT339-538: Wind instruments
- MT539-654: Plucked instruments
- MT655-722: Percussion instruments
- MT820-949: Singing
Northern Illinois University Music Library, DeKalb, IL 60115 (815) 753-1426
