Your Library
Subject Guide - Music
Welcome to the Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS) music subject guide. Here we let you know selected new titles, our choice picks, help you to find music we hold and where to learn more. The titles are linked to the library catalogue.
So Browse, Explore and Let Us Know What You Think.
Why not write your own review? Just go to the catalogue, search for the item you'd like to tell us about (good, bad or indifferent), click on the "add your review" link within the record - you need your library number and password - and then add your comment, but please be descriptive!
These CDs Just In:
Still want more? Then browse the new titles that have been added to the collection in the last 2 calendar months.
Useful Websites
All music
http://www.allmusic.com/
A vast resource on all types of music, including cross-references, pointers to similar artists, biographies, discographies.
Myspace Music
music.myspace.com
The latest, the greatest. Discover, listen, worship, share, meet etc.
Beat
http://www.beat.com.au/
Beat is a free Melbourne street paper, with music news, reviews and a gig/club guide.
Rollingstone
http://www.rollingstone.com/
The electronic sibling to the magazine, includes comprehensive listing of artists.
NME
http://www.nme.com/
The New Music Express online. News from the UK music scene and more.
The metal crypt
http://www.metalcrypt.com/
All things metal; reviews, interviews, editorials, band info; be warned - contains metal themes.
All About Jazz
Just like it says. Reviews, artist info, upcoming releases, as well as directories & guides to lots more.
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/
Gramophone
http://www.gramophone.net/
Like the magazine, offers a wealth of reviews. Searching the archive (Gramofile) requires registration but that is free.
Music-Web International
http://www.musicweb-international.com/
Not the prettiest site, but there are squillions of CD reviews here, mostly classical, jazz, and film music.
Music Online : The Garland encyclopedia of World Music
http://glnd.alexanderstreet.com/
A comprehensive online resource devoted to music research of all the world's peoples.
Magazines
| Downbeat | Jazz (US) |
| Gramophone | Classical - reviews, news, biogs, obituaries (UK) |
| Keyboard | All things keyboard (US) |
| Mojo | Reviews, news, in depth interviews (UK) |
| Q | Reviews, reviews, reviews, some news (UK) |
| Rolling stone | Australian ed. |
| Songlines | World music news, reviews (UK) |
| The source | Hip hop (US) |
| The Wire | New, progressive and/or littler-known music (UK) |
Looking for music? How to find material in the library
If you're looking for lists of what we have on CD select the ADVANCED search option and select the appropriate collection from the drop downlist. Try these collection searches:
CD classical
CD contemporary classical
CD jazz
CD blues
CD world music
CD new age music
CD soundtrack
A Guide to Shelf Numbers
| Subject | Find it at |
|---|---|
| General works on music | 780 |
| Dictionaries | 780.3 |
| Music history | 780.9 |
| Music biographies | 780.92 * |
| Vocal music | 782, 783 |
| Keyboard, electronic and percussion | 786 |
| String instruments | 787 |
| Wind instruments | 788 |
* There are more biographies in specific subheadings such as pianists, guitarists, opera singers and so on.
Reference Material
An introduction to some of the resources available. These items are not held at all branches so check the catalogue for locations. Note that reference items are not for loan.
The new Grove dictionary of music and musicians 20 volumes of information on music, musicians and almost everything music-related.
Oxford Music Online, the home of Grove music online (available from home and the library)
The full text of the dictionaries of music and musicians, opera and jazz, with selected links to the internet. Also offers audio samples of various musical themes, styles and composers. See the Online Reference Centre for access.
The concise Oxford dictionary of music
Dictionary of musical terms.
The new Kobbe's opera book
Detailed descriptions including characters, plot, selected history of performance, occasional explanation of the music.
Jazz - the rough guide
Biographies, selected discographies, and glossary.
The encyclopedia of popular music
A wealth of information about years of popular music including biographical references, discographies and indexes.
The encyclopedia of Australian rock and pop
Comprehensive and detailed information on Australian artists, bands including line-ups, histories/careers and discographies.
Garland encyclopedia of World Music
A comprehensive guide to music of the world
The definitive illustrated encyclopedia of Rock
The Guinness who's who of sixties music
Contact the Library
For more information Contact Us or use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. Ask for Port Phillip Library Service. Or contact your nearest Library directly.
