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Piano Resources: Getting Started

Listening to Piano Music Recordings

Links to more Online Listening

To find CDs in the library catalog:

To find DVDs in the library catalog:

Making Recordings

Check out this portable Zoom Recorder from the Music Library Circulation Desk to make high-quality recordings on the go!

Websites for Pianists

Piano Methods, Exercises, and Sight Reading Techniques

Using our subject search direct links, you can find materials that support best practices and skills in learning and enhancing your knowledge as a pianist. 

For methods: Piano Methods

For fingering: Piano Fingering

For exercises: Piano Studies and Exercises

For sight-reading: Sight-Reading (Music)

Browsing Piano Scores and Texts in the Music Library Stacks using Call Numbers

To find piano scores in the library catalog:

  • Search from the Music Library homepage. Click on the radio button for "Scores Only." 
  • Keep your searches specific and straightforward to find the scores you need. For example, when searching for Chopin Etude Op. 10, No. 1, do not include "opus," "op." or "no." "number," etc., as these terms can vary.

Browsing piano music in the music library:

  • M20--M22 -- Solo piano music
  • M23 -- Piano Sonatas
  • M24--M25 -- General Piano Works
  • M32--M34 -- Arrangements and transcriptions 
  • M200--M212 -- Piano Duets, four hands
  • M217--239 -- One string instrument with piano
  • M240--271 --  One wind instrument with piano
  • M272--M283 -- One plucked string instrument with piano
  • M284--298.5 -- Other combinations 
  • M310--314 -- Piano Trios
  • M412, M417, M422, M447 -- Piano and three other instruments (Quartets) 
  • M510--M514 -- Piano and four other instruments (Quintets)
  • M1010--M1011 -- Piano Concertos 
  • M1503 -- Vocal Scores with piano accompaniment

Musical Instruction and Study (scores or books):

  • MT140 -- Analytical Guides
  • MT220--MT255 -- Piano instruction, study, and accompaniment; the performance of jazz and popular music

Newly Cataloged Piano Scores

New piano scores can be found through a subject heading focusing on the M22 call number. The scores themselves may be a retrospective or recently released item; newly cataloged indicates it is new to our collection. Use the following link to check on recent acquisitions: Newly Cataloged Piano Scores.

Piano Research and Reference

Literature on Piano Music Call Numbers:

  • ML128.P3 -- Bibliographies of piano music
  • ML132.P3 -- Graded lists of piano repertoire
  • ML397 -- Pianist biography
  • ML652 -- Piano history, criticism, and construction

Finding articles about the Piano

Librarian

Profile Photo
Laura Williams
Contact:
113 Biddle Music Building
Email me:laura.williams@duke.edu
Call me:(919) 660-5952
Subjects: Humanities, Music