Learn more about how the Cal Poly Humboldt Library can help
support your research and learning needs.

Stay updated at Campus Ready.

Skip to Main Content

Music Research Guide

Reference Recommendations

These are a few examples of reference resources on various topics in music. For additional help, please visit the Resesarch Help Desk or Contact a Librarian:

On the Web

AllMusic This commercial site has information about performers and albums in all genres of music.  It also features new release information, reviews, and blogs.

Aria Database Th is is a diverse collection of information on over 1000 operatic arias, including translations and aria texts of most arias as well as a collection of MIDI files of operatic arias and ensembles.

Good Ear  Online ear training and practice, basic intervals, jazz chords, chromatic scales, etc.

Internet Broadway Database  Current and historical information about Broadway shows

Lied and Art Song Texts Page  Updated frequently, this is an archive of texts used in thousands of Lieder and other classical art songs, as well as in many choral works and other types of classical vocal pieces. The collection indexes texts and includes translations to English, French, Italian, Dutch, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and other languages.

OnMusic Dictionary (formerly Multimedia Music Dictionary) from Virginia Tech provides this comprehensive dictionary that includes audio files for pronunciation and musical examples, as well as shockwave quizzes and simulations.

Ricci Adams' Musictheory.net Theory training and review, with graphics, midi files, and ledger paper to print out.

Here are some recommended gateway sites:

Infomine: Visual & Performing Arts  Search or browse this collection of scholarly internet resources from UC Riverside

iPL2 Search for keywords or browse in categories such as Entertainment & Leisure or Reference, then drill down through the list of subcategories that appears on the left of each screen.  You will find links to sources recommended by public and academic librarians.

Voice of the Shuttle:  Music  Use the search box on the upper right, click one of the links below, or scroll through the sections.  This site is maintained by an English professor at UC Santa Barbara.

Browse the Reference Collection

Reference materials on music, music theory, instrumentation, and music history are located in M, ML, and MT.

Use this guide to browse the Reference Collection for resources on Music. Reference items can be found in the main stacks on the second and third floor of the library unless noted in the catalog record:

M             MUSIC                                                 
ML Literature on music
MT Instruction and study

Online Reference Databases