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MUS 380: Western Music to 1750

Resources and strategies for researching the music of the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical periods

Background Info: What It Is and How To Find It

Background Information

This refers to basic information about the composer and their work. This might include:

  • Biographical information such as birth/death dates and places, family members
  • Culture(s) the composer belonged to
  • Career overviews
  • Major works and stylistic hallmarks
  • Schools, styles, or movements the composer was part of

Background information is an important foundation for more in-depth research. It can help you develop better search strategies for finding analysis and criticism, and to better understand it when you find it.

Credo Reference

Tips for Using Credo Reference

  • Keep your keywords simple to start. Think "Henry Purcell" rather than "Henry Purcell melodic angularity in Dido and Aeneas."
  • Look for thorough coverage. Each result should have a word count at the bottom of the preview - longer entries will provide you with more information.
  • Look up unfamiliar terms or concepts as you go.

Naxos Musical Dictionary

Tips for Using Naxos Musical Dictionary

  • Keep your keywords simple to start. Think "Henry Purcell" rather than "Henry Purcell melodic angularity in Dido and Aeneas."
  • Look up unfamiliar terms or concepts as you go.

Library Catalog

Tips for Using the Library Catalog

  • Keep your keywords simple to start. 
  • When viewing the catalog page for a specific book, look at the subject headings, description, and/or table of contents to determine if your topic is covered by that book.
  • If the description or table of contents aren't enough for you to tell, open the ebook and use a "search" option, or use the index inside the physical book.
  • If the Bradley library catalog doesn't have everything you need, try doing an I-Share search and requesting what looks good.