The Music Lesson (black chalk & wash on paper), by Winslow Homer (1836-1910). Image from Credo Reference.
For the student and scholar, reference can have two meaning. One, a source that you can refer to for answers, and also the source, or reference, that accompanies a book or article. A good encyclopedia article gives you the best of both. Try starting your research with Credo Reference.
The standard of reference work in music is the 29 volume The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd edition. It’s now the same age as you, but for scholarship it can’t be beat. Check out the 10 volume Garland Encyclopedia of World Music for, of course, your world music class. Or explore other genres with St. James Encyclopedia of Hip Hop Culture or explore the roots of country music with Folk Music: A Regional Exploration. Or gain an appreciation of MPR with Classical Music: An Introduction.
Browse all music encyclopedias.
Remember to check the bibliography at the end of an article - a basic trick to build your own bibliography for your paper. Browse the master list of print & electronic encyclopedias available to you as a student for more great sources for your other classes.
Harp lesson given by Madame de Genlis, by Jean-Baptiste Mauzaisse, circa 1842. Image from Credo Reference.
