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Find World Music Recordings

Introduction

When world music recordings are added to the Music and Performing Arts Library's collection, they are given an alphanumeric code taken from the Outline of World Cultures, 6th rev. ed. (New Haven, Conn: Human Relations Area Files, 1983). You can locate world music recordings by searching for this code in the library's online and card catalogs.

Searching

Step one:  Locate the Outline of World Cultures behind the Information Desk. The call number is GN345.3 M871983.

Step two: Using the index, find the alphanumeric code for the continent, geographic region, nation, or ethnic group in which you're interested.
Example: You wish to listen to recordings from Mongolia. You check the index and discover the code is AH1.

Step three: Search the online catalog. Do a Quick Search by "Subject Headings" for HRAF AH1
Don't forget the HRAF in front of the code and leave a space between the HRAF and the code! This should return a list of compact discs, records, and cassettes of Mongolian musi Step four: 

Step four: Search the card catalog. Go the beginning of the H drawer and search for HRAF AH1.
Searching the card catalog will give you older records and cassettes.

Hint:
If you can't find what you're looking for, try using a more general number. For example, if you're looking for recordings from the Amhara, a region in Ethiopia (HRAF MP5), but get no results, search the general number for Ethiopia (HRAF MP1).

You can also search for this material using traditional subject headings--some examples:

• Instrumental music --Morocco

• Music --Egypt

• Popular music --Arab countries

If you need assistance, please ask!

For comments on this page contact: Music and Performing Arts Library

Last modified by: Kirstin Dougan on 8/19/08