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MARC PROPOSAL NO. 2016-08

DATE: May 27, 2016
REVISED:

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

SOURCE: Music Library Association (MLA)

SUMMARY: This paper presents a proposal to redefine four code values and define one new code value 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); Piano score (BD); Vocal score (BD); Other (BD)

RELATED: 2009-01/2; 2012-07; 2013-04; 2016-DP02

STATUS/COMMENTS:
05/27/16 – Made available to the MARC community for discussion.

06/25/16 – Results of MARC Advisory Committee discussion: Approved as submitted.

08/10/16 - Results of MARC Steering Group review - Agreed with the MAC decision.


Proposal No. 2016-08: Redefining Code Values in Field 008/20

1. BACKGROUND

The 008/20 field (Format of Music) 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.

In 2016, MLA presented MARC Discussion Paper 2016-DP02, which outlined some small refinements still needed to align the code values available in Field 008/20 with the RDA Format of Notated Music terms and clarify and make consistent some of the changes that were already approved. This proposal builds on the suggestions of that discussion paper, as well as MAC’s recommendations.  

2. DISCUSSION

2.1. Renaming and Redefining 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 propose 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 propose 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 propose 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.

Proposed Language:

b – Miniature or study score
Score issued in a musical image of small size, usually reduced from a larger original, and not primarily intended for use in performance.

2.2. Redefining 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 proposing 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.

Proposed 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: Reduced score, Short score.

2.3. Redefining 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. 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 propose that the code value be revised as follows:

Proposed 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. Redefining code value z (Other)

We propose removing the second sentence ("Usually it signifies that the item is not a score") of the definition of code value "z," as several of the examples cited in the third sentence would be considered scores under the RDA definition. We also propose two minor grammatical improvements (changing "are" to "is" in the first sentence and changing “in which” to “for which” in the second sentence).

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.

Proposed Language:

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

2.5. Defining code value p (Piano score)

One RDA Format of Notated Music term that does not explicitly map to a code value in the 008/20 field is piano score, which is a reduction of an instrumental work or a vocal work with instruments to a version for piano. 2016-DP02 suggested codifying the historical process of assigning code "z" (Other) to piano scores, but, following MAC's recommendation, this paper proposes a new code value: 

p - Piano score
A reduction of an instrumental work or a vocal work with instruments to a version for piano. May include the words of a vocal work. Note: See code k (Vocal score) for a score showing all vocal parts with the accompaniment reduced for piano.

We also propose adding a reciprocal note to code “k” to prevent confusion:

k – Vocal score
Score showing all vocal parts, solo and/or choral, with the instrumental accompaniment either arranged for keyboard(s) or other chordal instrument(s) or omitted. Note: see code h (Chorus score) for scores of works for solo voices and chorus that include only chorus parts. See code p (Piano score) for reductions of vocal works that do not include the vocal line(s).

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 vocabulary for Music in BIBFRAME.

4. PROPOSED CHANGES

4.1. Rename 008/20 code value b and revise definition as follows:

b – Miniature or study score
Score issued in a musical image of small size, usually reduced from a larger original, and not primarily intended for use in performance.

4.2. Revise the definition of code value i as follows:

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: Reduced score, Short score.

4.3. Revise the definition of 008/20 code value l as follows:

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.

4.4. Revise the definition of 008/20 code value z as follows

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

4.5. Define 008/20 code value p as follows:

p - Piano score
A reduction of an instrumental work or a vocal work with instruments to a version for piano. May include the words of a vocal work. Note: See code k (Vocal score) for a score showing all vocal parts with the accompaniment reduced for piano.

4.6. Revise the definition of code value k as follows:

k – Vocal score
Score showing all vocal parts, solo and/or choral, with the instrumental accompaniment either arranged for keyboard(s) or other chordal instrument(s) or omitted. Note: see code h (Chorus score) for scores of works for solo voices and chorus that include only chorus parts. See code p (Piano score) for reductions of vocal works that do not include the vocal line(s).


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