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MARC DISCUSSION PAPER NO. 2016-DP02

DATE: December 9, 2015
REVISED:

NAME: Clarifying Code Values in Field 008/20 (Format of Music) in the MARC 21 Bibliographic Format

SOURCE: Music Library Association (MLA)

SUMMARY: This paper presents suggestions for clarifying four code values in Field 008/20 (Format of Music) in the MARC 21 Bibliographic Format, in order to bring the code values in line with RDA and clarify their use.

KEYWORDS: Field 008/20 (BD); Format of music (BD); Miniature or study score (BD); Condensed score (BD); Score (BD); Other (BD)

RELATED: 2009-01/2; 2012-07; 2013-04;

STATUS/COMMENTS:
12/09/15 – Made available to the MARC community for discussion.

01/10/16 – Results of MARC Advisory Committee discussion: There was general support for the paper.  The paper will return as a proposal with the addition of a new code for “piano score”, with code “p” as an option.

Discussion Paper No. 2016-DP02: Clarifying Code Values in Field 008/20 (Format of Music)

1. BACKGROUND

The 008/20 field has undergone several changes in the last few years in order to provide equivalent code values for the terms in RDA 7.20.1.3 (Recording the Format of Notated Music).

In 2009 three code values were added to the MARC 21 Bibliographic Format as recommended by MARC Proposal 2009-01/2: h (Chorus score); i (Condensed score); and j (Performer-conductor part).

In 2012, as recommended by MARC Proposal 2012-07, another code value was defined: k (Vocal score). Additionally, the definitions for code values c (Accompaniment reduced for keyboard) and d (Voice score) were revised.

In 2013, as recommended by MARC Proposal 2013-04, code value l (Score) was defined, and the definitions for code values a (Full score) and z (Other) were redefined.

Some small refinements are still needed, however, to align the code values available in Field 008/020 with the RDA Format of Notated Music terms. This table compares the current MARC 21 008/20 code values and definitions we find to be problematic with the RDA Format of Notated Music terms and glossary definitions:

2. DISCUSSION

2.1. Clarifying the title and definition of code value b (Full score, miniature or study size)

The current title of code value b uses the terminology “full score,” which seems to refer to code value a (Full score), which is not in use for RDA cataloging. We suggest using the terminology “score” instead, which would allow the code value to be used for miniature versions of anything falling within the RDA definition of score (including solo music).

Additionally, the definition of code value b is not clear about the nature of the miniaturization; we suggest using the RDA definition of study score to emphasize that it is the musical image that is of reduced size; a miniaturized score can still be quite large in physical size.

We suggest that the code value be revised as follows:

Current Language:

b - Full score, miniature or study size
Miniature score that is usually smaller in size and not intended to be used in performances.

Suggested Language:

b – Miniature or study score
A score issued in a musical image of reduced size, not primarily intended for use in performance.

2.2. Clarifying the definition of code value i (Condensed score)

The current definition of code value i (Condensed score) does not quite align with the RDA definition, and we are suggesting a revision for clarity:

Current Language:

i – Condensed score
Score that has been reduced, generally organized by instrumental sections, and often with cues for individual parts. An example would be reduction to two or a few staves, for scores presented in staff notation. Sometimes called: Reduced score, Short score. Recorded with musical notation.

Suggested Language:

i – Condensed score
Score in which the number of staves is reduced to two or a few, generally organized by instrumental sections or vocal parts, and often with cues for individual parts. Sometimes called: Close score, Reduced score, Short score.

2.3. Clarifying the definition of code value l (Score)

In MARC Proposal 2013-04, the proposed definition for new code value l was:

l - Score
Graphic, symbolic, or word-based musical notation representing the sounds of all the parts of an ensemble or a work for solo performer or electronic media. Do not confuse with Part.

But the current definition in the MARC Bibliographic format is:

l – Score
Graphical, symbolic (e.g., staff), or word-based musical notation representing the sounds of all the parts of an ensemble, arranged so that they can be read simultaneously, or a work for solo performer or electronic media. Do not confuse with Part.

The addition of “arranged so that they can be read simultaneously” brings this definition out of alignment with the RDA glossary definition, and does not match the definition approved in the MARC proposal. Some graphical scores and chance compositions, for example, do not show all the parts in a way that can be read simultaneously, but they still qualify as scores under the RDA definition.

We suggest that the code value be revised as follows:

Current Language:

l – Score
Graphical, symbolic (e.g., staff), or word-based musical notation representing the sounds of all the parts of an ensemble, arranged so that they can be read simultaneously, or a work for solo performer or electronic media. Do not confuse with Part.

Suggested Language:

l – Score
Graphical, symbolic (e.g., staff), or word-based musical notation representing the sounds of all the parts of an ensemble, or a work for solo performer or electronic media. Do not confuse with Part.

2.4. Clarifying the definition of code value z (Other)

One RDA Format of Notated Music term that does not explicitly map to a code value in the 008/020 field is piano score, which is a reduction of an instrumental work or a vocal work with instruments to a version for piano. These were common in the 19th century, but are not often encountered today. In historical practice, piano scores were assigned code “z”. We suggest, rather than proposing a new code value, simply including piano scores as an example in the definition of code value z (Other). We also suggest removing the second sentence (“Usually it signifies that the item is not a score”) from the definition, as several of the examples cited in the third sentence would be considered scores under the RDA definition. Finally, we are suggesting a minor grammatical improvement to the first sentence of the definition (changing “are” to “is”).

Current Language:

z – Other
None of the other defined codes are appropriate. Usually it signifies that the item is not a score. Choir books, table books, and sets of parts are examples in which code z is appropriate.

Suggested Language:

z – Other
None of the other defined codes is appropriate. Choir books, table books, piano scores, and sets of parts are examples in which code z is appropriate.

3. BIBFRAME DISCUSSION

Like Medium of Performance, Format of Music is a complex area and has been changed several times recently to better align with RDA.  Working this out in the MARC environment will provide smoother transition to the “to be developed” vocabulary for Music in BIBFRAME.

4. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

4.1. Do the readers agree with the changes recommended in sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4 above?

4.2. The authors of this paper feel that the changes above align the MARC definitions with the RDA definitions while avoiding any loss in the consistency and clarity of legacy data. Do any of the recommendations appear less likely to interoperate cleanly with earlier definitions?

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