Browse Using LC Classification

Although "jazz" music can be found throughout the Library's music collections, it is important to keep in mind a few specialized classification numbers that may help guide your research. For example, the Library holds a large collection of jazz lead sheets under the Library of Congress (LC) Classification Number -- M1356.2.

Using the Library of Congress Online Catalog, start by selecting the "Browse" option and then select "CALL NUMBERS (LC Class No.)" from the drop-down menu.

Learn more about Browsing by CALL NUMBER (LC Class No.) in the Library's Online Catalog
Guide for browsing call numbers in the Library of Congress online catalog
Library of Congress M Classification (Music) {PDF]
A downloadable version of the entire M classification system.

More information on specific useful classifications for researching "jazz" are listed below,

MT - Music Instruction

MT68
Improvisation. Accompaniment. Transposition (includes Jamey Aebersold series)
MT239
Piano performance of popular music (ragtime, jazz, boogie-woogie, etc)
MT733.7
Jazz band performance
MT866
Vocal improvisation (includes scat singing)
MT868
Jazz vocals - singing and vocal technique

ML - Music Literature

ML128.J3
Jazz bibliographies
ML102.J3
Jazz dictionaries
ML156.4.J3
Jazz discographies
ML3505.8
Jazz periodicals. Societies. Serials
ML3505.9
Jazz congresses
ML3506
General works on jazz
ML3507
Jazz-related addresses, essays, lectures

Books on jazz by region or country

ML3508-3508.8
United States

ML3509.A-Z Other regions or countries, A-Z

ML3509.A35
Africa (General)
ML3509.A7 - .A78
Argentina
ML3509.A92 - .A928
Australia
ML3509.A95 - .A958
Austria
ML3509.A97 - .A978
Azerbaijan
ML3509.B42 - .B428
Belgium
ML3509.B46 - .B468
Bermuda
ML3509.B7 - .B78
Brazil
ML3509.B95 - .B958
Bulgaria
ML3509.C2 - .C28
Canada
ML3509.C37 - .C379
Caribbean Area
ML3509.C5 - .C58
Chile
ML3509.C65 - .C658
Colombia
ML3509.C76 - .C768
Croatia
ML3509.C88 - .C888
Cuba
ML3509.C9 - .C98
Czech Republic. Czechoslovakia
ML3509.D45 - .D458
Denmark
ML3509.E5 - .E58
England
ML3509.E75 - .E758
Estonia
ML3509.E9
Europe (General)
ML3509.F5 - .F58
Finland
ML3509.F7 - .F78
France
ML3509.G3 - .G38
Germany
ML3509.G7
Great Britain (General)
ML3509.H96 - .H968
Hungary
ML3509.I5 - .I58
Indonesia
ML3509.I82 - .I828
Israel
ML3509.I85 - .I858
Italy
ML3509.J3 - .J38
Japan
ML3509.M47
Mediterranean Region
ML3509.M6 - .M68
Mexico
ML3509.N4 - .N48
Netherlands
ML3509.N56 - .N568
New Zealand
ML3509.N6 - .N68
Nigeria
ML3509.N8 - .N88
Norway
ML3509.P7 - .P78
Poland
ML3509.P84 - .P848
Portugal
ML3509.R8 - .R88
Russia. Soviet Union. Russia (Federation)
ML3509.S34
Scandinavian countries (General)
ML3509.S6 - .S68
South Africa
ML3509.S73 - .S738
Spain
ML3509.S8 - .S88
Sweden
ML3509.S9 - .S98
Switzerland
ML3509.T97 - .T978
Turkey
ML3509.V4 - .V48
Venezuela

General Topics

ML3918.J39
Political aspects of jazz
ML3921.8.J39
Religious aspects of jazz
ML3918.J39
Social aspects of jazz

M - Notated Music

M28
Piano music - Marches
M30
Piano music - Dances (general)
M31
Piano music - Dances (two-rhythm)
M32
Piano music - Dances (three-rhythm)
M1350
Dance orchestra or instrumental ensemble - pre-dating July1, 1944
M1355
Song orchestrations (vaudeville, etc.)
M1356
Dance orchestra or instrumental ensemble - general
M1356.2
Dance orchestra or instrumental ensemble - lead sheets
M1366
Jazz ensembles
M1622
Vaudeville, music-hall, etc. songs published between 1850 and 1923

Jazz Research at the Library of Congress

Performing Arts Reading Room