Keyword Search Help

Searching for keywords is a powerful method to browse our online catalog. With a little practice, you will be able to find what you are looking for in record time. The following page provides examples and references to help you along.

You can type your keywords in uppercase or lowercase (results are identical), and with the instrument and level information provided below, you will be able to craft your own search strings, based on your needs.

Search String Examples

II solos ob
ob Orch Parts CD ROM
ob sacred
bsn Xmas

Wildcards

* = any character multiple times
? = any one character

bassoon sonat* = sonate sonata sonatas sonatinas...
bassoon sonat? = sonate sonata
bsn sonat* = a neat trick using our instrumentation code (see below)

concert* = concerto concerti
?on?ert* = Concerto Concerti Konzert

please be sure to experiment, language and title differences can be tricky.
feel free to call us if you are having problems finding an item. Typos do happen!

Instrument codes and instrumentation:

Use the following abbreviations - Do not spell out instrument names.

or try combinations: 2ob, 2bsn, ob-tpt, WW5 IV etc...

Search for Difficulty Levels by Roman numerals:

i.e. = II or IV or III-IV or ob III-IV

A word about difficulty levels: There is little standardization with assigning levels. These levels have been assigned mostly by myself and are simply based upon my life time of teaching experience. There are many that could change in either direction, but I hope this will at least give you a beginning for assessing difficulty level.

My criterion is:

1. first year of playing including young or older experienced beginner. It is often frustrating for an adult who is fluent on one instrument to begin a second instrument, but one must learn to 'crawl' all over again before 'running' as your ear wants to go! Don't be tempted to skip the good tone production, setting an embouchure which will serve good intonation, use correct fingerings, etc. etc. An older and experienced student will move quickly through this level, but don't try to skip it altogether.
2. second year of playing. Yet limited range and keys and reading experience. Likewise, this is a necessary step to gain the confidence that you know what is going to come out of the instrument in terms of intonation and quality. It is important.
3. third year - young intermediate, young junior high school - advancing technically
4. Junior high or early high school, suitable for festival or contest. Range to lowest Bb and high d on ob / g on bsn. Sparse on complicated rhythms, advance key signatures, and demanding technic, although fluent 16th notes may be included. Tenor clef for bsn.
5. High School and College Level - Standard Repertoire for the advancing student
6. Very advanced high school, or college level players. Standard repertoire.
7. Difficult - For mature and advanced players, college and graduate school, and not for the faint of heart! Not high school literature.
8. Very difficult = Advanced, graduate school or Gillet competition level.
9. Requires extended 20th Century technics, i.e. Berio Cage, etc.

Try a category:

Sacred, Xmas, Concerto (or Konzert), Sonata (or Sonate), Orch. Parts.
Beware of words that are spelled differently in different languages, i.e. Sonata or Sonate