Percussion Instruments

Our Library uses the Library of Congress Classification System and the Library of Congress Subject Headings. Below you will find information on both that you can use to find materials on and scores for percussion instruments.

InfoKat Discovery can be challenging; the linked document below explains strategies that will help you search for music materials in InfoKat Discovery.

Books

ML102 .P4       Percussion instruments (encyclopedias, dictionaries)

ML128 .P23     Percussion instruments (bibliographies) 

ML1030           Percussion instruments (general studies; history, etc.)

ML1035           Drums, including drum sets (general studies; history, etc.)

MT655-655.8   Percussion instruments (instruction & study; instrumental techniques; excerpts)

MT660-660.8   Timpani (instruction & study; instrumental techniques; excerpts)

MT662-662.8   Drums, including drum sets (instruction & study; instrumental techniques; excerpts)

MT663-663.8   Bongos. Congas, etc. (instruction & study; instrumental techniques; excerpts) 

MT719-719.8   Xylophone. Marimba. Vibraphone, etc. (instruction & study; instrumental techniques; excerpts)

Scores

M146               Solo percussionist

M285 .P4        One performer playing two or more solo instruments; duets with keyboard

M385               Trios 

M485               Quartets

M585               Quintets

etc.

If you already know the call number of the genre or medium you are looking for, try these steps to browse the shelves online:

• Go to InfoKat Discovery Browse
• Set the drop-down menu in the yellow tab to Browse by Library of Congress call numbers
• Type in a call number, for example, M285, and you'll retrieve scores with combinations of one percussion instrument and one other instrument.

To search by subject

• Go to InfoKat's Advanced Search
• Set the Search for radial button to Library Catalog
• Re-set Search Filters in the drop-down menu from Any field to Subject
• Type in your term(s) and Search

To search for a particular format

• Add to the steps above by re-setting the Material Type drop-down menu to Books / Scores / Videos, etc.
• Or, after the search has been completed, use the filter Resource Type on the left-hand side of the screen to choose the format

Sample subject heading terms

Drum set music
Drum studies and exercises
Marimba
Percussion ensemble
Percussion instruments
Percussion instruments dictionaries
Percussion instruments methods
Percussion music bibliography
Steel drum music
Timpani

To search for scores, audio, or books about percussion ensembles or percussion with other instruments, in the Advanced Search set Subject--Contains  and list instruments, etc., for example

Drum trumpet
Percussion brass
Percussion trios
Percussion ensemble piano
Percussion ensemble electronic
Percussion ensembles
Percussion recorder