Wingell, Richard J. : University of Southern California
Herzog, Silvia : Wichita State University
Summary
For the Introduction to Bibliography and Research course taken by all new graduate music students in ALL areas
of music instruction�performance, church and choral music, conducting, music education, theory and composition,
and music history.
Designed to show what research and writing skills can do for any musician, this unique single-source volume features
a discussion of musical research, bibliographic tools, guides to print and electronic resources for research, specific
research skills, discussion of the process of writing and editing a research paper on a musical topic, and analysis
of an article from a musicological journal. Students will find the guide a solid reference not only for their coursework,
but later during their professional lives as well�e.g., for locating scores, researching music, writing program
notes, publishing, etc.
Features :
Emphasis on what research can do for the performer�e.g., discovering new repertory, opening up new areas of
interest, investigating the music that engages them, perhaps even opening up opportunities for serious publication.
Shows musicians how research and writing skills can help them, at the moment in their studies, and in their
careers as performers as well.
A constant focus on the researcher's need for imagination and critical judgment.
Helps students to become independent researchers and to find for themselves the resources they need.
Resources�Provides selected lists of print resources�both music literature (books and writings about music)
and music (scores, collected sets, thematic catalogues). Gives students a conceptual framework (rather than complete
lists) to help them develop a clear idea of the various kinds of resources available, their special advantages,
how to select them, and how to use them efficiently to investigate various kinds of music topics.
Familiarizes students with the huge range of resources that are available, and helps them learn to judge resources
critically and select the resources that are appropriate for particular studies.
A chapter on electronic resources�Includes a discussion of various types of resources (CD-ROM, Web sites, etc.)
and how to use them. Concentrates on types of resources and how to select and use these resources, rather than
a mere list of URLs.
Shows students how to critically assess electronic resources and how to use them wisely.
A full range of music categories�All lists of print or electronic resources always include areas like jazz,
popular music, computer music, etc.; the newer approaches to musicological research are discussed briefly (with
lists of some basic resources).
Introduces all students to these important areas, whether or not they will be the focus of a particular class;
provides a starting bibliography in many diverse areas.
A survey of the history of notation, printing, and music publishing�Focuses not on historical issues themselves,
but on the different kinds of editions and the issues involved in producing, assessing, and comparing editions.
Equips students to judge editions critically, choose them carefully, and prepare their own, when necessary.
Writing about music�Discusses the effective use of information uncovered in research to argue the writer's
thesis, and outlines the entire process of writing a research paper�from designing a topic and thesis to outlining,
writing, revising, formatting, and checking mechanics (e.g., punctuation). Also includes discussion of the problems
unique to writing about music�citing musical works, special format issues, and discussing musical events.
Provides a useful manual that can assist students with their writing projects, both during graduate work and
afterwards, in their professional lives.
A unique chapter-length analysis of a sample article from Nineteenth Century Music�Includes the entire article,
and encourages students to do their own detailed analysis before reading the authors' analysis. Directs students'
attention to issues such as organization, argumentation, outlining, effective use of examples, writing style, etc.
Encourages students to read critically and to apply what they learn about both argumentation and writing style
to improve the organization, clarity, and style of their own writing.
Suggested projects and activities.
Provides some projects that instructors can utilize in their courses.
Content flexibility.
Enables instructors to adapt content to different syllabi with different emphases. Any material that instructors
do not include in a particular version of the course may very well still be useful to students, either during the
course, later in their graduate programs, or even later in their professional lives.
Table of Contents
I. RESOURCES FOR RESEARCH.
1. Research in Music.
2. Print Resources for Research in Music.
3. Print Resources for Locating Music.
4. Electronic Resources for Research.
5. History of Notation, Publishing, and Printing.
II. WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER.
6. Planning a Paper.
7. Writing the Paper.
8. Format and Style.
9. Sample Article and Discussion.
