Basic searching
The basic search box allows you to do a keyword search and limit to a specific format, such as printed music or sound recordings. Select "entire collection" to search all formats the library. Type the keyword(s) you want to find and choose the material type from the drop down. For example:
- piano music
- mendelssohn and quartets
You can also do a search for a specific author or title by using the drop down menu on the left-hand side.
| Music-specific hints | Enter just the numeral of an op., K., BWV number. Include first names to avoid confusion. Enter plurals for generic titles. Include "arr." for solo with piano of a concerto. Examples : 95 467 1003 Strauss, Richard Strauss, Johann Concertos Suites Symphonies Mozart Concertos 467 arr. |
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| Wildcards | Words may be right-hand truncated using an asterisk ('*') in place of other characters. The '*' wildcard may also be embedded in a search string. You may use '?' to replace a single character anywhere within a word. Examples : ornament*, mendels**, wom?n |
| Boolean Operators | Use "and" or "or" to specify multiple words in any field, any order. Use "and not" to exclude words. Example : (baritone horn) or (alto trombone) Example : toreador and not carmen |
| Field limits | A field limit causes the system to search only the specified field for the specified word(s). |
| Grouping | Keyword search results are usually grouped by relevance to bring the most likely titles to the top of the list. Each group represents a similar level of relevance and results are sorted within the group by date or title. To get an ungrouped result set, use boolean operators to form a complex query. |
Advanced Keyword Search Tips
Multiple Words
When searching multiple words the system will automatically supply the Boolean "and" operator between each word; multiple words entered for the search will all occur somewhere in the retrieved records though not necessarily in the order entered. Both examples on the right will retrieve the same results.
Examples
Using multiple words:
beethoven symphonies
beethoven and symphonies
Phrase Searches
Search for complete phrases by enclosing them in quotation marks. Words enclosed in double quotes will appear together in all results exactly as typed.
Examples
A phrase Search:
"beethoven symphonies"
Wildcards
* Matches any number of non-space characters, starting at the specified position in the word. For example, "ornament*" will match all words that begin with "ornament" (e.g., "ornaments", "ornamentation", etc.).
The '*' wildcard may also be embedded in a search string.
? You may use a question mark ('?') to replace a single character anywhere within a word.
Boolean Operators
Use AND or OR to specify multiple words in any field, any order. Use AND NOT to exclude words. Select the operator you wish to use from the selection list on the Advanced Search form.
Examples
Using Boolean operators:
haydn and quartets
haydn or quartets
haydn and not quartets
Field Limits
Field limits may be specified by selecting a field limit from the selection list. These limits appear before the word or phrase to be searched. A field limit causes the system to search only the specified field for the specified word(s).
Field Limits and their meanings:
- Author: Search only author fields
- Title: Search only title fields
- Subject: Search only subject fields
- Note: Search only note fields
- Subject: Search only subject field
Too Limiting
If your limited search retrieves no results, it is a good idea to try the search again without limits, or ask a librarian for assistance.
Grouping
Keyword search results are usually grouped by relevance to bring the most likely titles to the top of the list. Each group represents a similar level of relevance and results are sorted within the group by date or title. To get an ungrouped result set, use boolean operators to form a complex query.
Most relevant titles
Highly relevant titles
Very relevant titles
Relevant titles
Other relevant titles