A keyword search searches almost every word in a catalog record.
It can be a handy way to get started (searching with composer’s name and opus number, for instance) but learning some other searching strategies can make your search more efficient and cut down on irrelevant results.
Do an author search for composers and/or performers.
Enter authors’ names in indirect order (last name, first).
Subject searches use “controlled vocabulary,” an established set of terms that describe the contents of a library object.
Starting a search with these established terms can cut down on your search time and improve your results.
These subject headings are used for both scores and recordings.
Sample subject headings for solo saxophone music:
Sonatas (saxophone)
Suites (saxophone)
Variations (saxophone)
Saxophone music
Sample subject headings for music for saxophone and piano:
Rondos (saxophone and piano)
Sonatas (saxophone and piano)
Suites (saxophone and piano)
Variations (saxophone and piano)
Saxophone and piano music
Sample subject headings for duets:
Saxophone music (saxophones (2))
Bassoon and saxophone music
Flute and saxophone music
Horn and saxophone music
Oboe and saxophone music
Horn and saxophone music
Sample subject headings for trios:
Woodwind trios [various combinations]
Wind trios
Sample subject headings for quartets:
Woodwind quartets [various combinations]
Suites [various combinations of instruments]
Variations [various combinations of instruments]
Subject headings for saxophone and orchestra:
Concertos (saxophone)
Concertos (saxophone) — solo with piano
Saxophone with orchestra
Rondos (saxophone with orchestra)
Limits
Limit your search by format (sound recording, score, DVD, etc.) to improve results.
In a keyword search, apply limits at the beginning of your search.
In all other searches, click on “Limit & Sort Search” after you have retrieved results to limit your search.