Finding Articles
Similarly to finding books and music, you can search the Library's music databases to find articles about musicians, composers, music styles, the history of music, etc.All databases allow users to customize the search experience, similar, to the UC Library Search - Advanced Search discussed in the Books, Scores, Recordings tab. You can limit the search to only academic, peer-reviewed, or scholarly articles (all these phrases mean the same). You can also control the dates for your search. A rule of thumb is to limit a search to five years, e.g., 2019 - 2024 to find the most recent research about a topic. But, if you are looking for a more historical view of a topic, you can expand your search to 10 or more years.
- All Music DatabasesFor a list of all databases that cover music topics, visit our A-Z Database List. This list includes academic articles databases, databases with primary sources (e.g., scores), and music available online (for download or streaming).
- Music Index Online This link opens in a new windowCitations and abstracts to articles and reviews from over 875 scholarly, professional, and general music journals, back to the start of the 20th century.
- Music Online: Music Periodicals of the 19th Century
This collection features full-text periodicals depicting American musical life from 1838 to the early 1900s through local and international news, reviews, editorials, sheet music, and advertisements. Users can also cross-search the full text of all articles with videos, audio recordings, photographs, scores, and reference texts.
- Music Periodicals Database (MPD) This link opens in a new windowCitations for several hundred music periodicals as well as full-text access for recent years of approximately 140 titles. Many journals are indexed for their full run, but limited subject headings and no abstracts for citations earlier than 1996. Search this database together with Performing Arts Database using Music and Performing Arts Online.
- RILM Abstracts of Music Literature This link opens in a new windowA comprehensive music bibliography featuring citations, abstracts, and indexes. Publications originate from 151 countries and are in 214 languages. Contains over 550,000 records on traditional music, popular music, and classical music. Coverage of all document types begins in 1967. Coverage of conference proceedings goes back to 1835.
- RIPM: Retrospective Index to Music Periodicals This link opens in a new windowRIPM indexes music journal literature from the late 18th century through the early 20th. Citations include extensive editorial commentary contributed by music scholars. Journals are indexed through their complete runs.
- RISM Musical Manuscripts after 1600 This link opens in a new windowThe most extensive bibliographic database available for music manuscripts dating from the seventeenth century and later. Includes entries for over 600,000 works by 20,000 composers. The manuscripts are found in over 750 libraries and archives in 32 countries. May also be searched via Themefinder (manuscripts in U.S. collections only).
InterLibrary Loan
The Library does not have access to every single book or journal article. If you find that we don't have access to an item, you can request it directly from UC Library Search or a database (FASTEST service). Look for the icon or link that says Get it at UC when you are searching for journal articles in Google Scholar or databases.
Want to renew your ILL items? You can do it within your Library Account; click on “My Loans”.
Questions? Contact ILL ill@library.ucsb.edu or (805) 893-3436
Or visit the UCSB Library - Services Desk