Guides: Music dictionaries and encyclopedias: Music dictionaries and encyclopedias

COVID-19 CLOSURE

Further to Quebec government and university directives, McGill campuses are currently closed. As a result, all library branches are closed until further notice. Library staff will continue to provide virtual reference during service hours. For more information about the closure, please visit our COVID -19 | Library Closure & Service Disruptions FAQ.

Welcome! Use this guide to find background information from dictionaries and encyclopedias for your research projects and assignments.

On this page, you will find links to some of the major dictionaries and encyclopedias used in music research and performance.

Dictionaries and encyclopedias can also be found through the Library's catalogue/search tool, Sofia, by using relevant keywords.

Music dictionaries and encyclopedias

Core music dictionaries and encyclopedias

Grove Music Online
- Foremost English-language scholarly encyclopedia of music and musicians
- Extensive articles and bibliographies written by subject experts
- Includes detailed works lists for certain composers: useful for confirming the identity of pieces and for finding individual pieces within composers' complete works sets held by the Library
- Includes access to New Grove Dictionary of Opera and New Grove Dictionary of Jazz (2nd edition)
MGG Online (Die Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart)
- Comprehensive German-language encyclopedia
- Provides in-depth articles on many aspects of music and related areas
- Features all content from the 2nd edition plus current updates and additions
- Integrated translation available
- View a tutorial on using MGG Online (4:00)
Music Online: The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music (Alexander Street Press)
- Comprehensive resource devoted to music research about many of the word's peoples
- Contains information about musical genres, practices, and performances specific to each geographic region
- Includes photographs, maps, musical examples, and links to audio examples