MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data: 048: Number of Musical Instruments or Voices Code (Network Development and MARC Standards Office, Library of Congress)

Two-character code that indicates the medium of performance for a musical composition. Also contains the number of parts, indicated by a two-digit number immediately following the code for the musical instruments or voices (e.g., va02, a two-part composition for Voices - Soprano). The number of parts may be omitted if not specified.

Codes for the various types of instrumental and vocal combinations are listed in this section. The function of the instrumentalist or vocalist is represented by the choice of subfield code.

GUIDELINES FOR APPLYING CONTENT DESIGNATORS

Record when medium of performance is stated explicitly or can easily be identified. Field 048 is repeated when more than one medium of performance is stated for a single composition, or when multiple compositions with different instrumentation are being described.

If the medium is not stated explicitly in the item and cannot be inferred, field 048 is not recorded. Types of music for which the medium is not stated include operas, musical comedies, folk-songs, hymns, school song-books, and sound recordings of popular music. In most instances, information in character positions 18 and 19 (Form of composition) in field 008 (Fixed-Length Data Elements) for music, field 047, and subject headings will also provide useful access.

The codes are recorded in score order, and, if possible, the codes for the soloists are given first. Each code may be followed by a two-digit number (01-99) which indicates the number of parts or performers. An exception is made for large ensembles, which are followed by a number when more than one such ensemble is specified.

Arrangements are coded for the medium of the work being described, not for the original medium.

A solo instrument which is not accompanied is coded as a performer (subfield $a), not as a soloist (subfield $b).

If the performer plays more than one instrument in a composition, the code for the first named instrument is given. If a principal instrument can be determined, the code for that instrument is given.

For percussion music, whether for a single performer or more than one, the code for the number of performers is given, rather than for the number of instruments.

For monologues, or works with narration, the code for unspecified voice (vn) is given for the speaker or narrator.

■ INDICATORS

Second Indicator - Source of code

Source of the instruments or voices code used in the field.

# - MARC code

Source of the code is the MARC 21 Instruments or Voices Code List.

7 - Source specified in subfield $2

Source of the instruments or voices code is indicated by a code in subfield $2.


048	#7$bvso01$atth01$atch01$akor01$2[code for controlled list] [For soprano and continuo group comprised of theorbo, chittarone and positive organ]
048	#7$apcg01$apct01$apxy02$apta01$2[code for controlled list] [For an ensemble of congas, crotales, two xylophones, and tablas]

■ SUBFIELD CODES

$a - Performer or ensemble

Two-character code for a performer or ensemble (from the list below) and, if applicable, a two-digit number specifying the number of parts.


048	##$aka01$asa01$asc01 [Piano trio.]


048	##$bvi01$aka01 [For medium voice and piano.]


048	##$aka01
048	##$akb01 [For piano or organ.]


048	##$boe01$aoa [Concerto for dance band with orchestra.]

$b - Soloist

Two-character alphabetic code for a soloist (from the list below) and, if applicable, a two-digit number specifying the number of parts.


048	##$bva02$bvc01$bvd01$bvf02$aca04$aoc [Soloists (SSATBB), Chorus (SATB) and string orchestra.]

$2 - Source of code

Code from: Musical Instrumentation and Voice Code Source Codes.

$8 - Field link and sequence number

See description of this subfield in Appendix A: Control Subfields.

MARC 21 Instruments or Voices Codes

ba	Brass - Horn
bb	Brass - Trumpet
bc	Brass - Cornet
bd	Brass - Trombone
be	Brass - Tuba
bf	Brass - Baritone
bn	Brass - Unspecified
bu	Brass - Unknown
by	Brass - Ethnic
bz	Brass - Other
ca	Choruses - Mixed
cb	Choruses - Women's
cc	Choruses - Men's
cd	Choruses - Children's
cn	Choruses - Unspecified
cu	Choruses - Unknown
cy	Choruses - Ethnic
ea	Electronic - Synthesizer
eb	Electronic - Tape
ec	Electronic - Computer
ed	Electronic - Ondes Martinot
en	Electronic - Unspecified
eu	Electronic - Unknown
ez	Electronic - Other
ka	Keyboard - Piano
kb	Keyboard - Organ
kc	Keyboard - Harpsichord
kd	Keyboard - Clavichord
ke	Keyboard - Continuo
kf	Keyboard - Celeste
kn	Keyboard - Unspecified
ku	Keyboard - Unknown
ky	Keyboard - Ethnic
kz	Keyboard - Other
oa	Larger ensemble - Full orchestra
ob	Larger ensemble - Chamber orch.
oc	Larger ensemble - String orchestra
od	Larger ensemble - Band
oe	Larger ensemble - Dance orchestra
of	Larger ensemble - Brass band (brass with some doubling, with or without percussion)
on	Larger ensemble - Unspecified
ou	Larger ensemble - Unknown
oy	Larger ensemble - Ethnic
oz	Larger ensemble - Other
pa	Percussion - Timpani
pb	Percussion - Xylophone
pc	Percussion - Marimba
pd	Percussion - Drum
pn	Percussion - Unspecified
pu	Percussion - Unknown
py	Percussion - Ethnic
pz	Percussion - Other
sa	Strings, bowed - Violin
sb	Strings, bowed - Viola
sc	Strings, bowed - Violoncello
sd	Strings, bowed - Double bass
se	Strings, bowed - Viol
sf	Strings, bowed - Viola d'amore
sg	Strings, bowed - Viola da gamba
sn	Strings, bowed - Unspecified
su	Strings, bowed - Unknown
sy	Strings, bowed - Ethnic
sz	Strings, bowed - Other
ta	Strings, plucked - Harp
tb	Strings, plucked - Guitar
tc	Strings, plucked - Lute
td	Strings, plucked - Mandolin
tn	Strings, plucked - Unspecified
tu	Strings, plucked - Unknown
ty	Strings, plucked - Ethnic
tz	Strings, plucked - Other
va	Voices - Soprano
vb	Voices - Mezzo Soprano
vc	Voices - Alto
vd	Voices - Tenor
ve	Voices - Baritone
vf	Voices - Bass
vg	Voices - Counter tenor
vh	Voices - High voice
vi	Voices - Medium voice
vj	Voices - Low voice
vn	Voices - Unspecified
vu	Voices - Unknown
vy	Voices - Ethnic
wa	Woodwinds - Flute
wb	Woodwinds - Oboe
wc	Woodwinds - Clarinet
wd	Woodwinds - Bassoon
we	Woodwinds - Piccolo
wf	Woodwinds - English horn
wg	Woodwinds - Bass clarinet
wh	Woodwinds - Recorder
wi	Woodwinds - Saxophone
wn	Woodwinds - Unspecified
wu	Woodwinds - Unknown
wy	Woodwinds - Ethnic
wz	Woodwinds - Other
zn	Unspecified instruments
zu	Unknown

INPUT CONVENTIONS

CONTENT DESIGNATOR HISTORY

Instruments or Voices codes

In 1980, the second character o (Other) and z (Unknown) instrument and voice codes were changed to z and u, respectively (e.g., bo (Brass-other) became bz; bz (Brass-unknown) became bu).

In 1997, the code pf (Celesta) was made obsolete. [CAN/MARC only]

Indicator 1 - Relationship of performer to work (MU) [OBSOLETE, 1981]
First indicator position definition was made obsolete in 1981. The defined values were: 0 (One performer to a part), 1 (More than one performer to some parts or all parts), 2 (Soloist with type of ensemble referred to in 1 above).
Indicator 2 - Source of code [NEW, 2005]

$2 - Source of code [NEW, 2005]

048 - Number of Musical Instruments or Voices Code (R)

FIELD DEFINITION AND SCOPE

GUIDELINES FOR APPLYING CONTENT DESIGNATORS

■ INDICATORS

■ SUBFIELD CODES

INPUT CONVENTIONS

CONTENT DESIGNATOR HISTORY


Subfield Codes
$a - Performer or ensemble (R) $b - Soloist (R)	$2 - Source of code (NR) $8 - Field link and sequence number (R)