How to read a call number
Read call numbers line by line, from left to right, and from top to bottom.

MP1630 . W7 2001 =	MP
	1630
	.W7
	2001

The first line of a call number begins with one or two letters. These letters are read alphabetically:


The second line is made of a number that may have one or more digits. This line is read numerically, as a whole number:


The third line is the trickiest part of the call number! The letter is shelved alphabetically, and the number following the letter is treated as if it were preceded by a decimal:


The final lines of the call number may include dates and other annotations. These annotations are read after the call number.

Call numbers can be quite long, e.g. ML1630.28 .N5 1995 v.3. Be sure to write down the COMPLETE call number!


Call Numbers at the Career Development Center

CDV	Career Development Books
COMM	Berklee Commencement Cassettes
CRV	Career Resource Videos
MB	Music Business Books
PD	Personal Development Books
PERF	Performance Related Audio Cassettes
PW	Professional Writing Books
REF	Reference Materials

M : Classical Music Scores

M 20--M 39.6	Solo keyboard instruments
M 40--M 59.5	Solo stringed instruments
M 60--M 111	Solo wind instruments
M 115--M 142	Solo plucked instruments
M 145--M175.5	Solo percussion instruments
M 1001	Symphonies
M 1004.5--M 1041	Solo instruments with orchestra
M 1495--M 2199	Vocal music

ML : Literature on Music

ML 100--ML 109	Music dictionaries and encyclopedias
ML 159--ML 161	Music history by time period
ML 198--ML 360.6	Music history by country
ML 200	United States music history
ML 385--ML 429	Music biographies
ML 459--ML 1380	History of instruments & instrumental music
ML 3470--ML 3505	History of popular music
ML 3505.8--ML 3509	History of jazz
ML 3533.8--ML 3534.6	History of rock music
ML 3790--ML 3792	Music trade & Music business
ML 3800--ML 3923	Philosophy & physics of music
ML 3830--ML 3840	Psychology of music
ML 3920	Music therapy

MP : Popular Music and Jazz Scores

MP 20--MP 39.6	Piano collections, arrangements, and transcriptions
MP 40--MP 44	Violin
MP 55--MP 58	Double bass
MP 105--MP 109	Saxophone
MP 125--MP 129	Guitar collections, arrangements, and transcriptions
MP 135--MP 139	Bass guitar
MP 146	Percussion, including drum set
MP 1355	Big band charts
MP 1366	Jazz ensembles
MP 1500--MP 1508	Broadway musicals
MP 1526--MP 1527.8	Movies and television
MP 1615	Transcribed scores
MP 1630--MP 1632	Piano/Vocal/Guitar popular music, fake books/real books/lead sheets
MP 1668.4	Latin music
MP 1670	Spirituals
MP 1680--MP 1853	International music
MP 1985--MP 1998	Songs for children
MP 2198	Contemporary Christian and gospel

MT : Musical Instruction and Study

MT 1	History of music education
MT 5.5--MT 7	Music theory
MT 35--MT 39	Ear training and music notation
MT 40--MT 67	Composition
MT 50	Harmony
MT 55	Counterpoint
MT 67	Songwriting
MT 68	Improvisation
MT 68.A33	Aebersold play-alongs
MT 70--MT 74	Orchestration and arranging
MT 85	Conducting
MT 90--MT 146	Analysis and appreciation
MT 220--MT 255	Piano methods
MT 259--MT 338	String methods
MT 339.5--MT 415	Woodwind methods
MT 418--MT 510	Brass methods
MT 500--MT 508	Saxophone methods
MT 580-- MT 599	Guitar methods
MT 599.B4	Bass guitar methods
MT 655	Percussion methods
MT 719	Xylophone, marimba & vibraphone methods
MT 723--MT 724.5	Electronic instruments methods
MT 733--MT 733.7	Band methods
MT 740--MT 810	Instrumental technique for children
MT 820--MT 915	Singing and vocal technique
MT 918--MT 949	School music instruction & study
MT 955--MT 956	Musical theater technique

Browsing
Remember that call numbers are designed to put similar things on the shelf next to each
other—there may be multiple useful items in the same area.
Also note that classical and popular/jazz score call numbers are very similar. Often the
only difference is whether it begins with MP or just M. For example, if searching for all
solo violin music, both M 40 (classical) and MP 40 (popular and jazz) would contain
pertinent items.
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