LibGuides: Brass and Percussion: Brass Ensembles

Call Numbers

M315-M386 trios (which may include one or more brass instruments)

M357.4 brass trios

M415-486 quartets (which may include one or more brass instruments)

M457.4 brass quartets

M515-M586 Quintets for various instruments

M557.4 brass quintets

M657.4 brass sextets

M757.4 brass septets

M857.4 brass octets

M957.4 brass nonets

Finding scores using Keyword

Use quotation marks around phrases. "French Horn"

Truncate using * This is an excellent way to improve your search results. For example, Sona* will find Sonata, Sonatas, Sonatina, Sonatinas etc.. Truncating means you don't have to search for these words separately by typing each one individually.

Use "AND" and "OR" to combine words or phrases. These are known as Boolean operators.

Use parentheses: ( ), called "nesting, to groups terms together so you can combine even more concepts or Synonyms. For example: (cello OR violincello) or (beliefs OR attitudes). Using both terms ensures you will get relevant results.

Searching using Subject Headings

For other combinations (sextets, septets, etc.) follow the same pattern as above
Also try the subject heading Brass Ensembles

For brass ensembles with other instruments (piano, violin, etc.), after each basic subject heading (trios, quartets, quintets, etc.) the instruments are organized in the following order: Keyboard (piano, continuo, etc.), winds / brass, percussion, strings (in score order).

So, for example, if you are searching for trios for clarinet, horn and piano use the subject heading trios piano clarinet horn

Select Books

Music Reference

The art of brass playing
Call Number: MT339 F27
The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Brass Instruments by Trevor Herbert (Editor); John Wallace (Editor); Arnold Myers (Editor)
ISBN: 9781107180000

Publication Date: 2018-11-15

Some thirty-two experts from fifteen countries join three of the world's leading authorities on the design, manufacture, performance and history of brass musical instruments in this first major encyclopedia on the subject. It includes over one hundred illustrations, and gives attention to every brass instrument which has been regularly used, with information about the way they are played, the uses to which they have been put, and the importance they have had in classical music, sacred rituals, popular music, jazz, brass bands and the bands of the military. There are specialist entries covering every inhabited region of the globe and essays on the methods that experts have used to study and understand brass instruments. The encyclopedia spans the entire period from antiquity to modern times, with new and unfamiliar material that takes advantage of the latest research. From Abblasen to Zorsi Trombetta da Modon, this is the definitive guide for students, academics, musicians and music lovers.
The New Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments by Stanley Sadie
Call Number: Music Reference ML102 I5N48

ISBN: 0333378784

Publication Date: 1985-01-01

Internet Resources

Music for Brass