LibGuides: Violin: Scores & Parts

On this page, you'll learn how to search for scores and parts to specific works and how to discover new music.

Jump to: Find a specific piece of music | Find any piece of music with specific instruments

Find a specific piece of music

Find Scores and Recordings

In the Allen Library

Open the library catalog.
Search the title and composer's name.
Limit to the format you desire.
Find a result for the piece you need.
Use the location and call number to find the item.

Image: Catalog search with the format limited to Printed Music, and search result showing location and call number.

Online

Can't visit the library? Use our guides to Music Scores Online or Streaming Audio & Video to find online score & recording sites, then search for the piece you need.

Get help

Searching for music can be tricky! If you can't find what you need, ask a librarian for help.

Find any piece with specific instruments

Browse the Shelves

Browsing is a great way to discover new music if you don't have a specific piece in mind! Use the following call numbers to find violin music.

Most common violin call numbers:

Call Number	Genre
M217 – M223	Solo violin with piano
M312	Piano trios
M452	String quartets
M1013	Violin concertos (violin part + piano reduction)

Full list:

Call Number	Genre/Instruments
M40 – M44	Solo violin
M217 – M223	Violin + piano
M286 – M287	Duets: Two string instruments
M290 – M291	Duets: String + wind
M294 – M295	Duets: String + plucked
M310 – M314	Trios: String + piano
M320 – M324	Trios: String + piano + wind
M330 – M334	Trios: String + piano + plucked
M349 – M353	Trios: All strings
M360 – M364	Trios: String + wind
M370 – M374	Trios: String + plucked
*see note	Quartets through nonets
M1012 – M1013	Concertos with orchestra
M1112 – M1113	Concertos with string orchestra

* Quartets (400s), quintets (500s), through nonets (900s) follow a pattern similar to trios, for example:
M349–M353=String trios
M449–M453=String quartets

Use a Repertoire Guide

Repertoire Guide: A list of music for a specific instrument or group. Often describes style, difficulty, or musical features.
Here are a few selected guides in the Allen Library:

The Index of Violin Music by Wayne Wilkins (Editor)
Call Number: ML128 S9 W [Allen Reference]
Publication Date: 1973
Lists works for a large number of different instrumental combinations, all including violin.
Music for the Violin and Viola by Hans Letz
Call Number: ML128 V79 L [Allen reference]
Publication Date: 1948
A list of music for the violin and viola
String Music in Print by Margaret K. Farish
Call Number: ML128 S9 F22 1973 [Allen reference]
Solo and ensemble music for violin, viola, cello, and double bass. See also the 1984 and 1998 supplements; call numbers begin ML128 S9 F22.
String Music of Black Composers by Aaron Horne
Call Number: ML128 S9 H67 1991 [Allen reference]
Covers composers from Africa and the Diaspora. Each entry details the composer's life and career, and then lists all works with strings with information about commission, premiere, bibliography, and discography.

Find more repertoire guides

Browse the Reference shelves by call number:

Call Number	Topic
ML128 C4	Chamber music guides
ML128 S9	String guides
ML128 V79	Violin guides

Browse the catalog by subject:
Violin music > Bibliography

Browse the Catalog for Music

If you're not looking for a particular piece, browse the catalog using subjects, for example:

You can find even more subjects in individual catalog records. Find a piece of your desired ensemble/genre, then click on a subject to find more materials with that subject:

How do I choose the right format?

Here are some of the most common formats for printed music:

Score
Shows all instruments

Miniscore/study score
Small version of the full score

Vocal score
Piano and vocal line(s) only

Parts
Individual pieces for each instrument

You can determine the format by looking at the catalog record, in the Subjects or Description section: