A Guide for "Song Hunting" in the Music Library: Printed Music

Many people come to the Music Library to look for printed music for songs, arias, and hymns.  They expect it to be simple and routine, but often it is not.  Because of similarities in searching for these, they are all under the banner of "song hunting" here.   If you would like to learn more about how to find songs, arias or hymns successfully, this guide is for you. 

Warning:  Some people think every piece of music is a "song."  This "song" might be most anything:  a rock hit, a clarinet solo, a symphony, or perhaps a Gregorian chant.  More precisely defined, a song is a short piece of music for voice and accompanying instrument(s) which sets a verbal text.  

People needing printed music for a song, aria, or hymn often go to the online catalog, do a title search, don't find a listing, and think we don't have it.  If this happens to you, please don't give up yet, because looking up individual titles doesn't always get accurate results.  

This is because many songs, arias, and hymns are published in collections or anthologies.  Traditionally, librarians entered titles of collections or anthologies in library catalogs, but did not enter titles of all the works contained in them.  Modern practices are changing, but that doesn't help us with all the materials done the old way. 

There are different ways to look for different kinds of songs, arias, or hymns.  Please note:  what you know about your piece counts.  When you are trying to find a song, aria, or hymn, your chances improve if you already know the piece or at least know something about it.  Even if you only know a little, you might be surprised how much good it will do.  For instance, you won't waste valuable time looking for your piece where it couldn't possibly be found if you have a general idea of its style.
Example:  You don't need to search for a pop standard in collections that include only classical songs and arias.

If you know or know of the piece, you may already have an idea of where to start your search.  If you don't, be honest.  Ask a music library staff member to help you and tell that person what you do know about the piece.