LibGuides: Trombone: Research

Articles

Articles are great for research because they generally cover a very narrow topic in great detail. In addition, scholarly journal articles generally include a bibliography where you can find more resources on the same topic.

Journal Article Databases

Library databases provide citations for articles, book chapters, and more. Most articles/chapters focus on a narrow and specific topic, so they are great for deeper research. To get started:

Choose a database.
Search for keywords such as genres, topics, names of people, etc.
Limit your results by date, language, and more with the the left-hand menu on the results page.

Need more help?

See our Article help page for step-by-step instructions and videos to help you search databases and find full-text articles. And you can always ask a librarian for individual help.

Music Article Databases

Music Index Online This link opens in a new window
Article citations from over 700 music journals.
Music Periodicals Database This link opens in a new window
Article citations from over 400 music journals.
RILM This link opens in a new window
Citations for scholarly music and dance books, articles, dissertations, and more.
JSTOR This link opens in a new window
Full-text articles from almost 100 scholarly music, dance, and theatre journals, plus other subjects. Excludes recent years.

Books

History Books in the Allen Library (selections)

The Cambridge Companion to Brass Instruments by Trevor Herbert; John Wallace (Editors)
Call Number: ML933 C36 [Allen shelves]
Publication Date: 1997
An overview of the technical and musical development of brass instruments. Includes sections on jazz, non-western, and popular musics.
The Trombone by Trevor Herbert
Call Number: ML965 H47 T76
Publication Date: 2006
Covers the instrument, its repertoire, the way it has been played, and the social, cultural, and aesthetic contexts within which it has developed across all styles of music.

Find more history books

Browse by subject in the catalog, for example:
Trombone
Brass instruments

Browse the shelves by call number:

Call Number	Topic
ML933	Brass instrument history
ML965 – ML968	Trombone history
ML1300 – ML1354	Band music history

Performer Biographies in the Allen Library (selections)

The Musical World of J. J. Johnson by Joshua Berrett; Louis G. Bourgois
Call Number: ML419 J64 B477
Publication Date: 2002
A comprehensive biography, filmography, catalog of compositions, and discography of the father of modern trombone.
Twentieth-Century Brass Soloists by Michael Meckna
Call Number: ML399 M43 [Allen shelves]
Publication Date: 1994
Analyzes and celebrates nearly 100 brass soloists whose genius, technique, and style have combined to produce unforgettable moments in music.

Reference

Reference resources include dictionaries, encyclopedias, and more.
They often provide a short overview of a topic, then point to more resources you can use for further research.

Free Online Resources

The Brass Band Bibliography
List of almost 12,000 books, music, and other resources related to brass bands and instruments. Click the link near the top of the page to open the bibliography (PDF). See also the Distaff Brass Band Bibliography for just the resources about female players.

Music Reference Databases

Garland Encyclopedia of World Music Online This link opens in a new window
Essays about music from all parts of the world.
Grove/Oxford Music Online This link opens in a new window
Extensive music encyclopedia with articles, works lists, and citations.
Oxford Bibliographies - Music This link opens in a new window
Lists of resources for advanced research on many music subjects.

Books in the Allen Library (selections)

Brass Bibliography by Mark J. Fasman
Call Number: ML128 B8 F3 [Allen reference]
Publication Date: 1990
Lists more than 6000 sources on the history, literature, pedagogy, performance, & acoustics of brass instruments.
The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Brass Instruments by Trevor Herbert, John Wallace, Arnold Myers (Editors)
Call Number: ML128 B8 C35 2019 [Allen reference]
Guide to the design, manufacture, performance, and history of brass musical instruments in classical and popular music, sacred rituals, jazz, and military bands.
The Trombone by G. B. Lane
Call Number: ML128 T84 L36 [Allen reference]
Publication Date: 1999
Resources about the trombone, its history, music, performers, performance practices (including jazz), and pedagogical topics.

See all tuba reference books in the catalog:
Brass reference
Trombone reference

Browse the Reference shelves by call number:

Call Number	Topic
ML128 B8	Brass bibliographies
ML128 T84	Trombone bibliographies

Suggest a Resource

Know of a resource you think should be added to this guide? Let us know!

Want to suggest we purchase something new? Contact Tracey Rudnick (rudnick@hartford.edu).