Skip to Main Content

Music Theory

A guide for undergraduate and graduate researchers of music theory

How to Browse Our Shelves

Not sure what you are looking for or how just browse for books?  Here is a basic guide to help find music theory related items in the Library of Congress Classification System!

Library of Congress Classification System

The University of Kentucky Libraries uses the Library of Congress Classification System (LCC) to assign call numbers to most print materials--books, periodicals, and music scores.

LCC call numbers can tell you a lot about a book or score before you even find it on the shelf.

This page shows you how to read a call number, lists call number ranges for music materials, and how to find materials on subjects outside music.

Main Subject Classes in LCC

The Library of Congress Classification System is divided into large subject areas which are called "classes." All classes--and subclasses--begin with one, two, or three letters followed by a number which represents more specific aspects of a subject.

Below is an outline showing the main classes in LCC:

  • A -- GENERAL WORKS 
  • B -- PHILOSOPHY. PSYCHOLOGY. RELIGION 
  • C -- AUXILIARY SCIENCES OF HISTORY
  • D -- WORLD HISTORY AND HISTORY OF EUROPE, ASIA, AFRICA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, ETC. 
  • E -- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAS
  • F -- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAS
  • G -- GEOGRAPHY. ANTHROPOLOGY. RECREATION
  • H -- SOCIAL SCIENCES
  • J -- POLITICAL SCIENCE
  • K -- LAW
  • L -- EDUCATION
  • M -- MUSIC AND BOOKS ON MUSIC
  • N -- FINE ARTS
  • P -- LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
  • Q -- SCIENCE
  • R -- MEDICINE
  • S -- AGRICULTURE
  • T -- TECHNOLOGY
  • U -- MILITARY SCIENCE
  • V -- NAVAL SCIENCE
  • Z -- BIBLIOGRAPHY. LIBRARY SCIENCE. INFORMATION RESOURCES (GENERAL)

The M Schedule : Music & Books on Music

Looking for different analytical techniques or textbooks for review of different pedagogies? You can browse the shelves and find these if you know a bit about LCC's classification numbers for Music and Books on Music.

Books on music begin with ML (literature on music) or MT (musical instruction and study); scores begin with M.

Looking for books on music theory?

ML -- Call Numbers for Literature on Music -- Highlights

ML1 - ML5    Periodicals.  Serials
ML55 - ML89    Aspects of the field of music as a                                                       whole
ML100 - ML109    Dictionaries.  Encyclopedias
ML159 - ML3789    History and criticism
        ML162 - ML197    By period
        ML430 - ML458    Composition and                                                                                performance
        ML459 - ML1380    Instruments and instrumental                                                             music
        ML1400 - ML3275    Vocal music
        ML3300 - ML3351    Program music
        ML3400 - ML3465    Dance music
        ML3469 - ML3541    Popular music
        ML3544 - ML3776   Folk, national, and ethnic                                                                   music
        ML3780    Music on particular topics
        ML3797 - ML3799.5    Musical research

ML3800 - ML3923    Philosophical and societal aspects of music.                                     Physics and acoustics of music. Physiological                                   aspects of music
        ML3800    General works
        ML3805 - ML3817    Physics and acoustics
        ML3820    Physiological aspects of music
        ML3830 - ML3840    Psychology
        ML3880 - ML3915    Criticism
        ML3916 - ML3918    Social and political                                                                             aspects of music

MT -- Call Numbers for Music Instruction and Study -- Highlights

MT1    General works
MT2.5    Music study abroad
MT3-MT5   History
MT5.5-MT7   Music theory
MT9-MT15   Printed pedagogical aids
MT20-MT34   Systems and methods
MT35-MT39   Notation
MT40-MT67   Composition. Elements and                                                               techniques of music
MT68   Improvisation. Accompaniment. Transposition
MT70-MT74   Instrumentation and orchestration
MT75   Interpretation
MT80   Embellishment
MT90-MT146   Analysis and appreciation of musical                                                works
MT155   Music theory for children
MT165   Tuning