Although this is by no means an exhaustive list of world music resources, it is our hope that this page introduces users to the range of materials that are available through the Music Library at Missouri State University. If you have a specific research topic that you'd like to explore, you can arrange a one-on-one consultation with a member of our library staff by emailing us at: Music&Media@library.missouristate.edu
Scholarly journals often provide the newest research and up-to-date information on upcoming publications and festivals.
Here is a list of relevant journals that are available to you online.
Many of our books focused on music traditions from around the world are located in the following sections on the shelves:
ML199-360 History ML480-548 Instruments ML3565-3776 History/Styles
The following sources are all available in the reference area of the music library. These do not normally check out to students.
Ref ML100 .G16 1998 - The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music
Each volume in this series contains an overview of the geographic region, a general survey of its musical traditions, and more detailed descriptions of selected musical genres. The individual articles are supplemented with photographs, drawings, maps, and musical examples.
Volume 1: Africa
Volume 2: South America, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean
Volume 3: The United States and Canada
Volume 4: Southeast Asia
Volume 5: South Asia (The Indian Subconitinent)
Volume 6: The Middle East
Volume 7: East Asia (China, Japan, Korea)
Volume 8: Europe
Volume 9: Australia and the Pacific Islands
Volume 10: The World's Music (General Perspectives and Reference Tools)
Ref ML101 .A9 O94 1997 - The Oxford Companion to Australian Music
This single-volume encyclopedia covers the full spectrum of music in Australia, from ancient Aboriginal traditions and European-derived orchestral, operatic, and concert music, to Australian folk, jazz, country, rock, and experimental music. The alphabetical entries include biographies of key figures and groups, major musical organizations and companies, musical works, genres, instruments, terms, and some of the historical and cultural contexts within which Australian music can be placed.
Ref ML101 .I47 O94 2011 - The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Music of India
Fully cross-referenced, and with over 5000 entries by more than 100 leading experts from all over India and abroad, this 3-volume encyclopedia includes detailed biographical notes on composers, musicians, and dancers in classical, folk, film, and other musical forms over the last 2000 years. Over 200 rare photos and paintings from family albums and private collections are included, as well as sections on the music of India's neighboring countries, the influence of Western music on India, and the prevelence of Indian music in popular drama and film.
Ref ML101 .I73 V35 1999 - The Companion to Traditional Irish Music
Ref ML106 .C8 O7613 2004 - Cuban Music frrom A to Z
Ref ML108 .F27 1981 - An Annotated Glossary of Arabic Musical Terms
Ref ML108 .K37 1990 - Selected Musical Terms of Non-Western Cultures: A Notebook-Glossary
Ref ML128 .E8 P67 2004 - Ethnomusicology: A Research and Information Guide
Ref ML128 .E8 S4 1992 - Ethnomusicology Research: A Select Annotated Bibliography
Ref ML128 .F75 K44 1997 - North American Indian Music: A Guide to Published Sources and Selected Recordings
African Music
Cajun Music
Chinese Music
Hawaiian Music
Irish Music
Jewish Music
Spanish Music
Traditional American Music
JVC Video Anthology of World Music and Dance
This comprehensive 30-volume series of VHS tape recordings is now available through Alexander Street's streaming media collection. Use the "See Details" button on the video preview to quickly find individual segments!
This 12-part video series, entitled Exploring the World of Music, looks at music from around the world as it explores themes such as music and the environment, music as cultural memory, and how technology changes music. The individual episodes are 30 minutes long, and each includes several 5-minute video segments that focus on a particular music culture.
Search over 250 videos by genre, country, artist, instrument, or region/sub-region.
AFRICA
Dance Rhythms of Africa (13 minutes)
Irish Music
The Music Traditions of India
Gypsy Music
Music in Africa
Balinese Gamelan and Dance
The Music Traditions of China
Music and Politics in Eastern Europe
Latino/Hispanic Music
Native American Music
"Americana"