How to Find Sound Recordings

Search by Title | Search by Author | Search by Keyword | Using Limits

Click HERE to go to the ALADIN Catalog

Searching by Title

If you know the title of a particular item, doing a title search is usually the most effective way to locate the item.

Leave off any initial articles (the, a, an, la, le, der, etc.)

• Be careful to type the words of the title in order
• Be sure you have the correct "little words" in the title (don't confuse on, of, for, in etc.)
• It is better to enter an incomplete title than an inexact title (e.g. From anarchy to)

Click HERE to go to the ALADIN Catalog

Searching by Author

You can look for recordings by composer or performer by using an author search. Use the last name first.

• Always enter the family name (last name) and then the personal name (first name).

Click HERE to go to the ALADIN Catalog

Searching by Keyword

Like an internet search, the keyword search searches the entire contents of the library record. It is the best search to use if you are looking for a particular topic or subject, if you are not sure of a title, or if you are getting too many nonrelevant results.

Examples:

Search for a phrase (always use quotation marks around a phrase):

“opera buffa”

Search for more than one term:

flute and concerto

Keywords can be used to restrict a search to only sound recordings or to only items in AU Music Library.

Examples:

Search for recordings:

WAMU and “sound recording”
mahler and “sound recording” (this search eliminates all the musical scores, leaving only the recordings)

Search for an item on a topic located in the AU Music Library:

rossini and eauu (“eauu” is the catalog code for AU Music Library.)

Click HERE to go to the ALADIN Catalog

Using Limits When Searching for Sound Recordings

ALADIN allows you to set limits on your search. If you are looking for sound recordings, you can use limits and not worry about getting results that are books. You can limit your search by format (sound recording), by location (American University), or both.

Limiting a Search to Sound Recordings

• Before typing your search, click on More Limits .

• Choose Medium: Sound Recording.

• Click on Set Limits at the bottom of the page, and you will return to the search screen. Start your search.

Find more information on AU’s music collections at the Music Library’s Home Page.

Click HERE to go to the ALADIN Catalog