9 Dictionaries and Encyclopaedias
Dictionaries and encyclopaedias can provide you with a background understanding of your research topic and help clarify:
- key dates
- spelling or meaning of words
- bibliographic information relating to composers or artists
- information relating to historical periods
- information on music genres and instruments.
Use keywords in Library Search to find encyclopaedias and dictionaries relevant to your topic.
Dictionaries
The Oxford Dictionary of Music (UQ students & staff)
This dictionary is incorporated into Oxford Music Online (also known as Grove Music Online) (UQ students & staff).
For example:
Search for Palestrina then click on the link “Search for ‘Palestrina’ in The Oxford Dictionary of Music and The Oxford Companion to Music” at the top of your results.
Encyclopaedias
Oxford Music Online (also known as Grove Music Online) (UQ students & staff)
Contains a comprehensive collective of authoritative resources for music research. Search for information about:
- composers and musicians
- instruments
- historical eras
- place types (e.g. city or building/structure)
- occupations (e.g. composer or arranger, performer, collector or curator).
Oxford Music Online Subject Guides provide information about a particular time period or genre and relevant articles.
