Introduction to Score Formats
Scores come in different types or formats, and you may want to consult different formats depending on your needs. Learning to tell different formats apart based on the catalog record can save you a lot of time - you don't want to go to the trouble of looking for a score only to discover that it isn't in a format you can play from in performance or that it is missing the part you need.
Telling Formats Apart:
The library catalog record for an item will give you clues as to the format of the item. To see examples of how different formats are indicated in the catalog, look at the box below. Use the tabs across the top to learn how to distinguish between formats to ensure that you are able to find the material you need.
Search Tips:
- You can try including terms like "vocal scores", "parts", or "libretto" in your keyword search if you know you want to limit to a particular format.
- Note that all score formats listed below are shelved together on the second floor of MPAL, with miniature scores and oversized scores having their own shelving areas.
Note: The tips and explanations on this page deal primarily with performing editions. If you need to consult critical (or collected) editions or thematic catalogs of a particular composer's work, refer to the previous page on this guide for more information.
Distinguishing Printed Music Formats
A Full Score shows all instruments or voices in a work of music. You can identify something as a full score in the catalog by checking the format section of the item record for the phrase full score.
A Miniature Score (also called a pocket score or study score) shows all instruments or voices in a work of music, but produced in a small size. Call numbers start with "MM" and are shelved separately from the other scores in our collection. You can identify something as a miniature score in the catalog by checking the format section of the item record for the phrase miniature score.
A Vocal Score (or a Vocal-Piano Score) is a score for operas or other choral or orchestral works. It provides the vocal parts and presents the instrumental parts in a piano reduction or accompaniment. You can identify something as a vocal score in the catalog by checking the format and genre sections of the item record for the phrase vocal score or vocal scores with piano.
A Score and Parts or just Parts refers to printed chamber music (for 2 or more players or singers). The printed music may be a single score, showing all parts together, and/or include separate parts, one for each performer and their voice or instrument. You can identify something as a score and parts in the catalog by checking the format and genre sections of the item record for the phrase parts or score and parts.
Parts (no score)
Score and Parts
A Piano Reduction or Piano Arrangement is typically for concertos. It presents the soloist's part and and includes the orchestral parts in the form of a piano reduction or accompaniment. You can identify something as a piano reduction in the catalog by checking the subject and notes sections of the item record for the phrase solo with piano.
An Arrangement refers to a work that was originally written for one instrument or instruments and later arranged for another instrument or instruments. Check the details section of the item record for the word arranged.
Printed Music vs. Sheet Music
A brief word about terminology:
- "Printed music" is used throughout this guide to refer to contemporary printed editions of music scores
- "Sheet music" usually refers to historic printed music (generally popular, but sometimes "classical") from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- For more information about historic sheet music, see Illinois' own historic sheet music collections.