Classification for Sound Recordings
The classification for sound recordings in the George and Helen Ladd
Library at Bates College, devised by Joseph Derbyshire, College Librarian
Emeritus. COM precedes call numbers for compact discs; CAS precedes call numbers for cassettes. For all call numbers, use date of the recording as the last element of the classification number.
When cataloging in RDA, follow the RDA rules for description and access points. Once cataloging is complete, formulate what would have been the main entry under AACR2 and classify using the AACR2 heading.
- XL
- XM 50- XM 121
- Table I: Arrangement of Titles
- Table II: Generic Titles of Musical and Literary Forms
- Table III: Creating the Cutter
- XM 200-XM 585
- XM 600
- XP
XL Literary recordings
General
- 50 Collections, anthologies, etc. of general literature By main entry, A-Z
- 75 Soundtracks of films; Radio plays and programs, etc. By main entry, A-Z
English literature
- 100 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- Note: Class here collections of English and American literature
- 110 Works of individual authors By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
American literature
- 120 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- Note: Class collections of English and American literature in XL 100
- 130 Works of individual authors By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Other literatures of English (Australian, Black African, Canadian, etc.)
- 140 Collections, anthologies, etc. various authors By main entry, A-Z
- 150 Works of individual authors By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
German literature
- 160 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- 170 Works of individual authors By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Other Germanic literatures (Danish, Dutch, Swedish, etc.)
- 180 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- 190 Works of individual authors By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
French literature
- 200 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- Note: Class here collections of literature in French whatever the origin
- 205 Works of individual authors By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Other literatures of French (Black African, Canadian, etc.)
- 210 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- 215 Works of individual author By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Spanish literature
- 220 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- Note: Class here collections of literature in Spanish whatever the origin
- 225 Works of individual authors By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Other literatures in Spanish (i.e. Spanish American, etc.)
- 230 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- 235 Works of individual author By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Portuguese literature
- 240 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- Note: Class here collections of literature in Portuguese whatever the origin
- 245 Works of individual authors By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Other literatures of Portuguese (i.e. Brazilian, etc.)
- 250 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- 255 Works of individual authors By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Italian literature
- 260 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- 265 Works of individual author By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Latin literature
- 270 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- 275 Works of individual authors By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Other Romance literatures
- 280 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- 285 Works of individual authors By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Greek literature
- 290 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- 295 Works of individual authors By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Russian literature
- 300 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- 310 Works of individual authors By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Other Slavic literatures (Bulgarian, Szech, Polish, Ukrainian, etc.)
- 320 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- 330 Works of individual authors By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Literatures of other languages
- 380 Collections, anthologies, etc. of various authors By main entry, A-Z
- 390 Works of individual author By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
For literary recordings: Z1 Critical works about
Example:
XL
Class number
Author number
Z1
Date
For collections: .A2 Critical works about
Example:
XL
Class number
.A2
Main entry
Date
Other spoken recordings
- 400 Documentary recordings (Primary sources, such as speeches that are important rhetorically as speeches; speeches about a particular subject, e.g., Abortion can go in XP) By main entry, A-Z
- 425 Humorous recordings (with or without music) By main entry, A-Z
Religious texts: Biblical recordings
- 450 Complete texts of the Bible By title of recording, A-Z
- 455 Complete texts of the Old Testament By title of recording, A-Z
- 456 Selections from the Old Testament By title of recording, A-Z
- 460 Books of the Old Testament (complete or selections) By title of book, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
- 465 Complete texts of the New Testament By title of recording, A-Z
- 466 Selections from the New Testament
- 470 Books of the New Testament (complete or selections) By title of book, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
- 480 Other religious texts By main entry, A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
For lectures about subjects, see XP’s
XM Musical recordings
General
50 Collections, anthologies, etc. of general music By main entry, A-Z .If main entry is title, use three-number cutter. If main entry is author, use additional cutter for title.
Classical music
100 Collections, anthologies, etc. of classical music (several periods) By main entry, A-Z
115 Early and Medieval music through the 15th century
.A1 Collections, anthologies, etc. of early and Medieval music (includes Medieval in title) By main entry, A-Z
.A2-Z By composer By uniform title of recording, A-Z
116 Music of the 16th and 17th centuries
.A1 Collections, anthologies, etc. of 16th and/or 17th century music (includes Renaissance in title) By main entry, A-Z
.A2-Z By composer By uniform title of recording, A-Z
117 Music of the 18th century
.A1 Collections, anthologies, etc. of 18th century music (includes Baroque in title) By main entry, A-Z
.A2-Z By composer By uniform title of recording, A-Z
118 Music of the 19th century
.A1 Collections, anthologies, etc. of 19th century music By main entry, A-Z
.A2-Z By composer By uniform title of recording, A-Z
119 Music of the early 20th century (composers flourishing before 1950)
.A1 Collections, anthologies, etc. of early 20th century music By main entry, A-Z
Note: Include here collections of 20th century music whether of the early or late period.
.A2-Z By composer By uniform title of recording, A-Z
120 Music of the late 20th century (composers flourishing after 1950)
.A2-Z By composer By uniform title of recording, A-Z
121 Music of the 21st century
.A1 Collections, anthologies, etc. of 21st century music By main entry, A-Z
.A2-Z By composer By uniform title of recording, A-Z
Table I: Arrangement of titles following notation for composer’s name (Use uniform title)
A1 Collected works (i.e., Works)
A16 Selections (i.e., Selections) Generic titles of musical forms. Under each:
(0) Complete works in any one musical form
(1) Selected works in any one musical form
(2) Individual works in any one musical form
Complete symphonies S9
Selected symphonies S91
Individual symphonies S92
For individual works with generic titles, an opus number or other distinctive numbering system should be applied to make each title distinct.
Brahms, Johannes, 1833-1897. Symphonies, no.4, op.98, E minor
XM
118
.B7
S92
op.98
1984
Notation for works with distinct titles should be fit into the scheme for works with generic titles.
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791. Concertos, violin, orchestra, K.219, A major
XM
117
.M7
C62
K.219
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791. Cosi fan tutte
XM
117
.M7
C67
Table II: Generic titles of musical and literary forms
- A3-A32 Adagio
- A4-A42 Allegro
- A5-A52 Andante
- B2-B22 Bagatelle
- B3-B32 Ballade
- B35-B352 Ballate
- B4-B42 Ballets
- B4-B42 Band music
- C2-C22 Canon
- C3-C32 Cantata
- C35-C352 Capriccio
- C37-C372 Cassation
- C43-C432 Chaconne
- C45-C452 Chamber music
- C47-C472 Chansons
- C49-C492 Choral music
- C5-C52 Chorale
- C53-C532 Chorale preludes
- C55-C552 Computer music
- C6-C62 Concerto, Concerto grosso
- D3-D32 Dance
- D5-D52 Divertimento, Divertissement
- D8-D82 Duet, Duo
- E4-E42 Electronic music
- E8-E82 Etude
- E9-E92 Exercise
- F3-F32 Fantasia, Fantasy
- F6-F62 Flute music
- F63-F632 Flute, piano music
- F8-F82 Fugue
- G4-G42 Gloria
- G8-G82 Guitar music
- H3-H32 Harpsichord music
- H6-H62 Horn music
- H63-H632 Horn, orchestra music
- H8-H82 Humoresque
- H9-H92 Hymns
- I4-I42 Impromptu
- I43-I432 Improvisation
- I44-I442 Incidental music
- I45-I452 Instrumental music
- I5-I52 Invention
- K4-K42 Keyboard music
- L87-L872 Lute music
- M2-M22 Madrigal
- M25-M252 Magnificat
- M28-M282 March
- M3-M32 Mass
- M5-M52 Minuet
- M55-M552 Missa (add cutter based on 2nd part of title)
- M6-M62 Motet
- M68-M682 Motion picture music
- M87 Musicals, Selctions
- N6-N62 Nocturne (Notturno)
- N65-N652 Nonet
- O3-O32 Octet
- O6-O62 Opera
- O63-O632 Oratorios
- O65-O652 Orchestra music
- O7-O72 Organ music
- O9-O92 Overture
- P3-P32 Partita
- P37-P372 Passacaglia
- P38-P382 Pastorale
- P47-P472 Percussion music
- P5-P52 Piano music
- P53-P532 Piano, orchestra music
- P55-P552 Piano, string music
- P57-P572 Piano trio music
- P6-P62 Plays
- P63-P632 Poems
- P65-P652 Polkas
- P67-P672 Polonaise
- P7-P72 Prelude
- Q4-Q42 Quartet
- Q5-Q52 Quintet
- R4-R42 Requiem
- R5-R52 Rhapsody
- R6-R62 Romance
- R65-R652 Rondo
- S3-S32 Scherzo
- S4-S42 Septet
- S45-S452 Serenade
- S48-S482 Sextet
- S49-S492 Short stories
- S5-S52 Sinfonia
- S6-S62 Sonata, Sonatina
- S65-S652 Songs
- S72-S722 String orchestra music
- S73-S732 String quartet music
- S75-S752 Strings
- S77-S772 Studies, studien
- S8-S82 Suite
- S89-S892 Symphonic poems
- S9-S92 Symphony
- T6-T62 Toccata
- T7-T72 Trio, Trio-sonata
- T8-T82 Trombone music
- V3-V32 Variation
- V47-V472 Violin, continuo music
- V5-V52 Violin music (includes Violin, orhcestra music)
- V53-V532 Violin, piano music
- V55-V552 Violoncello music
- V57-V572 Violoncello, piano music
- V6-V62 Vocal music
- W3-W32 Waltz
- W5-W52 Wind music
Table III: Creating the cutter. (LC Subject Cataloging Manual: Shelflisting, Oct. 1994, G60, p.14)
After initial vowels for the second letter: | b | d | l-m | n | p | r | s-t | u-y |
use number: | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
After initial letter S for the second letter: |
a | ch | e | h-i | m-p | t | u | w-z |
use number: | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
After initial letters Qu for the second letter: |
a | e | i | o | r | t | y | |
use number: | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
For initial letters Qa-Qt | use numbers: 2-29 | |||||||
After other initial consonants for the second letter: |
a | e | i | o | r | u | y | |
use number: | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
For expansion for the letter: |
a-d | e-h | i-l | m-o | p-s | t-v | w-z | |
use number: | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
Assigning numbers for titles that start with the word “Music.”
Music at | M86 |
Music for | M87 |
Music from | M874 |
Music in | M875 |
Music of the | M88 |
Musical | M89 |
Musical shows, Cinema music, Television music, Operettas
200 Collections, anthologies, etc. of show music By main entry, A-Z
250 Individual shows By main entry (usually composer), A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Popular music (including non-classical music not covered in 2xx, other 3xx, 4xx, 5xx or 6xx categories)
300 Collections, anthologies, etc. of popular music By main entry, A-Z
310 Individual recordings of performers or performing groups By main entry (usually perfomer), A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Rock ‘n’ roll, country, soul
340 Collections, anthologies, etc.By main entry, A-Z
350 Individual recordings of performers or performing groups By main entry (usually perfomer), A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Blues
370 Collections, anthologies, etc. of blues music By main entry, A-Z
380 Individual recordings of performers or performing groups By main entry (usually perfomer), A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Jazz and Ragtime
400 Collections, anthologies, etc. of jazz music By main entry, A-Z
450 Individual recordings of performers or performing groups By main entry (usually perfomer), A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Religious music (that is not classified by composer in classical music)
500 Collections, anthologies, etc. of religious music by various performers By main entry, A-Z
505 Individual recordings of performers or performing groups By main entry (usually perfomer), A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Note: classify Christmas music in .C47
Military music and Marches (that are not classified by composer in classical music)
550 Collections, anthologies, etc. of military music by various performers By main entry, A-Z
555 Individual recordings of performers or performing groups By main entry (usually perfomer), A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Music of the American Indian
580 Collections, anthologies, etc. By main entry, A-Z
585 Individual recordings of performers or performing groups By main entry (usually perfomer), A-Z By title of recording, A-Z
Folk and ethnic music of different countries (and popular music for non-anglo countries; “non-anglo” jazz remains in 450)
600
.A1 Collections, anthologies, etc.
.A3 Africa
.A8 Asia (China, Tibet, Taiwan, Japan, Korea) Southeast Asia (Bangladesh,
Burma, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia), Central Asia
(Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Mongolia)
.B3 Balkan states (Romania, Serbia, Zagreb, Bosnia-H., Montenegro,
Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Yugoslavia)
.E5 England (also general collections of British, including Welsh) Ireland
and Scotland are separate
.E9 Europe (excluding Great Britain, France, Germany, Scandanavia, and
Spain) separate countries as well as general collections (including
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belorussa, Ukraine, Moldavia)
.F7 France
.G4 Germany
.I5 India and Pakistan, including Nepal and Sri Lanka
.I7 Ireland
.I8 Israel (includes Klezmer music from different countries)
.L3 Latin America (including Mexico, the Carribean, and South America)
.M5 Middle East (Turkey, Persia, Iran, Arab States, Egypt, Afghanistan,
Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan)(Arab States include: Algeria, Bahrain,
Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya,
Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan,
Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen)
.N6 North America (includes Canadian and French Canadian)
Maine cuttered .M3 (for example, XM 600 .N6 M3 L5 1998)
Native American music goes in XM 580 or XM 585
.P3 Pacific Islands
.R8 Russia
.S3 Scandanavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland)
.S32 Scotland
.S6 Spain
By main entry, A-Z. If main entry is title, use two expansion numbers. If main entry is performer, use an additional cutter for title (can be two characters).
XP Programmed instruction/Lectures about subjects
Language recordings
100 Recordings for instruction in languages By language, A-Z By main entry, A-Z
Subject fields. For each subject: By main entry, A-Z
Humanities
200 General
205 Art
210 Dance
215 Literature and theater (not literary works or criticism of literary works, see XL)
225 Music (not musical works, see XM)
235 Philosophy (not literary works, see XL)
245 Religion (not religious texts, see XL 450-480)
Social Sciences (not documentary recordings, see XL 400)
300 General
305 Anthropology
315 Economics
325 Government and Political Science
.A75 Arms control, Disarmament
.B53 Blacks in South Africa, Apartheid
.C58 Civil rights
.C65 Constitution
.F74 First amendment, Freedom of information, Censorship, Media
.K8 Ku Klux Klan
.L3 Latin America (including Mexico and Central America)
.M4 Medicare, Medicaid
.M5 Military policy, Missiles, Star wars
.N83 Nuclear war
.T4 Terrorism
Note: Interfile author/title cutters not covered by these subjects.
335 History
.H6 Holocaust
.P4 Persian Gulf crisis, Persian Gulf war
.V5 Vietnam Conflict
Note: Interfile author/title cutters not covered by these subjects.
340 Psychology
345 Sociology
.A2 Abortion
.A4 Aged
.B5 Birth control
.C4 Children, Child abuse
.C6 Communities, Urban sociology, Rural sociology
.C7 Criminology, Rape
.F3 Family, Marriage
.F4 Feminism, Women’s rights
.M3 Masculinity
.R32 Races, Race as a social group, Race relations
.S4 Sexual issues, Sexism, Sexual ethics, Sexual harrassment
.W6 Women, Women’s employment
Note: Interfile author/title cutters not covered by these subjects.
350 Education
Sciences (not documentary recordings, see XL 400)
400 General
405 Astronomy
415 Biology
425 Chemistry
435 Ecology and wildlife (classify here recordings of bird and
animal calls)
440 Mathematics
445 Physics (classify here recordings of sound effects)
Other subject fields
500 Recordings for instruction in other subject fields