Guide to Jazz
Jazz, blues and related genres are featured in the music collections of the State Library. Here you will find an outline of the types of jazz resources held and some useful search tips.
The Collection
Scores for Loan
The score collection covers all standard jazz instruments such as piano, guitar, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet and voice. Tutors, studies, exercises, songbooks and arrangements are supplemented by a section on general jazz improvisation, harmonic concepts, extemporisation and technique.
Reference Material
The reference collection of books, journals and electronic resources includes material on the evolution, roots and history of jazz, biographies of jazz musicians, theory and analysis, bibliographies and discographies.
Recordings
We hold a collection of CDs and LPs that can be listened to on-site. You can also listen to tracks using the on-line database Naxos Music Library. There is a small jazz and blues loan collection of audio cassettes available.
Searching for scores, recordings and information
All pieces can be found via the catalogue and songs can be found by using the Song Index or by referring to the Guide to finding Songs. You can also find expanded information on each instrument. Jazz ensembles are catered for with scores and parts for small groups through to jazz bands.
Useful subject searches are:
- Jazz
- Jazz vocals
- Jazz – Instruction and study
- Improvisation (Music)
- Piano music (Jazz) (and other instruments expanded as such)
- Swing (Music)
- Blues (Music)
Further information on this site
Page last updated: Wednesday 20 April 2011
