LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CLASSIFICATION OUTLINE 

CLASS M - MUSIC

(Click each subclass for details) 

Subclass M Music 

Subclass ML Literature on music 

Subclass MT Instruction and study 
Subclass M 

M1-5000 Music 

M1-1.A15 Music printed or copied in manuscript in the United States or the 

colonies before 1860 

M1.A5-3.3 Collections 

M1.A5-Z Miscellaneous 

M2-2.3 Musical sources 

M3-3.3 Collected works of individual composers 

M5-1480 Instrumental music 

M5 Collections 

M6-175.5 One solo instrument 

M176 Motion picture music 

M176.5 Radio and television music 

M177-990 Two or more solo instruments 

M1000-1075 Orchestra 

M1100-1160 String orchestra 

M1200-1270 Band 

M1350-1366 Other ensembles 

M1375-1420 Instrumental music for children 

M1470-1480 Aleatory music. Electronic music. Mixed media 

M1490 Music printed or copied in manuscript before 1700 

M1495-2199 Vocal music 

M1495 Collections 

M1497-1998 Secular vocal music 

M1497 Collections 

M1500-1527.8 Dramatic music 

M1528-1529.5 Two or more solo voices 

M1530-1609 Choruses 

M1611-1624.8 One solo voice 

M1625-1626 Recitations with music 

M1627-1853 Folk, national and ethnic music 

M1900-1985 Songs of specific groups or on specific topics 

M1990-1998 Secular vocal music for children 

M1999-2199 Sacred vocal music 

M1999 Collections 

M2000-2007 Dramatic music 

M2010-2017.6 Choral services, etc. 

M2018-2019.5 Two or more solo voices 

M2020-2101.5 Choruses 

M2102-2114.8 One solo voice 

M2115-2146 Hymnals. Hymn collections 

M2147-2188 Liturgy and ritual 

M2190-2196 Sacred vocal music for children 

M2198-2199 Popular religious and devotional music 

M5000 Unidentified compositions 
Subclass ML 

ML1-3930 Literature on music 

ML1-5 Periodicals. Serials 

ML12-21 Directories. Almanacs 

ML25-28 Societies and other organizations 

ML29-31 Special collections 

ML32-33 Institutions 

ML35-38 Festivals. Congresses 

ML40-44 Programs 

ML45 Circulars and advertisements 

ML46 Scrapbooks 

ML47-54.8 Librettos. Texts. Scenarios 

ML55-89 Aspects of the field of music as a whole 

ML93-96.5 Manuscript studies and manuscripts 

ML100-109 Dictionaries. Encyclopedias 

ML110-111.5 Music librarianship 

ML112-112.5 Music printing and publishing 

ML112.8-158.8 Bibliography 

ML159-3785 History and criticism 

ML159-161 General works 

ML162-197 By period 

ML198-360.6 By region or country 

ML385-429 Biography 

ML430-458 Composition and performance 

ML459-1380 Instruments and instrumental music 

ML1400-3275 Vocal music 

ML3300-3351 Program music 

ML3400-3465 Dance music 

ML3469-3541 Popular music 

ML3544-3776 Folk, national, and ethnic music 

ML3780 Music on particular topics 

ML3785 Musical journalism 

ML3790-3792 Music trade 

ML3795 Music as a profession. Vocational guidance 

ML3797-3799.5 Musical research 

ML3800-3923 Philosophical and societal aspects of music. Physics and 

acoustics of music. Physiological aspects of music 

ML3800 General works 

ML3805-3817 Physics and acoustics 

ML3820 Physiological aspects of music 

ML3830-3840 Psychology 

ML3845-3877 Aesthetics 

ML3880-3915 Criticism 

ML3916-3918 Social and political aspects of music 

ML3919-3920 Moral influence of music. Therapeutic use of music 

ML3921-3921.8 Religious aspects of music 

ML3922 Music in the workplace 

ML3928-3930 Literature for children 
Subclass MT 

MT1-960 Instruction and study 

MT1 General works 

M2.5 Music study abroad 

MT3-5 History 

MT5.5-7 Music theory 

MT9-15 Printed pedagogical aids 

MT9 Examinations, exercises, etc. 

MT10 Teachers’ and supervisors’ manuals, etc. 

MT15 Charts, diagrams, etc. 

MT17 Music in special education 

MT18 Music in colleges and universities 

MT20-34 Systems and methods 

MT35-39 Notation 

MT40-67 Composition. Elements and techniques of music 

MT68 Improvisation. Accompaniment. Transposition 

MT70-74 Instrumentation and orchestration 

MT75 Interpretation 

MT80 Embellishment 

MT82 Memorizing 

MT85 Conducting. Score reading and playing 

MT87 Community music 

MT88 Administration and instruction of vocal groups 

MT90-146 Analysis and appreciation of musical works 

MT150 Audio-visual aids 

MT155 Music theory for children 

MT165 Tuning 

MT170-810 Instrumental techniques 

MT179-258 Keyboard instruments 

MT259-338 Stringed instruments. Bowed stringed instruments 

MT339-533 Wind instruments 

MT539-654 Plucked instruments 

MT655-725 Percussion and other instruments 

MT728-735 Ensembles 

MT737 Motion picture accompanying 

MT740-810 Instrumental techniques for children 

MT820-915 Singing and vocal technique 

MT898-915 Vocal techniques for children 

MT918-948 School music 

MT920-925 Kindergarten 

MT930-948 Elementary schools. Junior high schools. High schools 

MT949.5 Whistling 

MT950 Music to accompany instruction in ballet, folk dancing, 

gymnastics, etc. 

MT955-956 Musical theater 

MT960 Music in the theater