Citing Music According to ABNT: A Comprehensive Guide for Researchers and Scholars

In the realm of scholarly writing, citing music accurately and professionally is crucial to ensure credibility and facilitate proper referencing. The Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT) provides a set of comprehensive guidelines for citing music, ensuring standardization and reproducibility in academic research. This guide delves into the intricacies of ABNT music citation, offering a detailed explanation of its principles and best practices.

1. General Principles of ABNT Music Citation

ABNT music citation adheres to the following fundamental principles:

• Accuracy: Ensure that all citation information is precise and verifiable.
• Completeness: Provide sufficient details to allow readers to locate and access the music source.
• Consistency: Follow the prescribed ABNT format consistently throughout your work.

2. Citing Printed Music

When citing printed music, the following elements should be included in the citation:

• Composer: Last name, followed by first name.
• Title of the musical work: In italics.
• Publisher: Name of the publishing house.
• Place of publication: City where the music was published.
• Year of publication: Four-digit year.

3. Citing Sound Recordings

For sound recordings, include the following information:

• Artist: Name of the performer(s) or ensemble.
• Title of the recording: In italics.
• Recording label: Name of the company that released the recording.
• Catalog number: Unique identifier assigned to the recording.
• Year of recording: Four-digit year.

4. Citing Musical Scores with Performance Instructions

When citing musical scores that include performance instructions, specify the following:

• Composer: Last name, followed by first name.
• Title of the musical work: In italics.
• Performer: Name of the individual or ensemble that performed the music.
• Date of performance: Day, month, and year of the performance.
• Place of performance: City where the performance took place.

5. Citing Multimedia Sources

For multimedia sources that include music, provide the following details:

• Title of the multimedia source: In italics.
• Author: Name of the individual or organization responsible for creating the source.
• Type of media: Specify the format (e.g., DVD, CD-ROM).
• Publisher: Name of the company that released the source.
• Place of publication: City where the source was published.
• Year of publication: Four-digit year.

6. Citing Music Websites

When citing music from websites, include the following information:

• Title of the website: In italics.
• Author: Name of the individual or organization responsible for creating the website.
• URL: Uniform Resource Locator (web address) of the website.
• Date of access: Day, month, and year you accessed the website.

7. Citing Music from Databases

For music obtained from online databases, provide the following:

• Title of the database: In italics.
• Publisher: Name of the organization that hosts the database.
• URL: Uniform Resource Locator (web address) of the database.
• Date of access: Day, month, and year you accessed the database.

8. Citing Music in Text

When referencing music in the text of your paper, use the following format:

• Composer's last name, year of publication (page number): (e.g., Mozart, 1991: 123)

9. Citing Music in the Reference List

In the reference list, provide complete citation information for all music sources used in your work.

10. Additional Tips

• Use italics sparingly, only for titles and names of organizations.
• Place quotation marks around titles of articles or chapters.
• Capitalize the first word of all proper nouns.
• Proofread your citations carefully to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Errors to Avoid

Common errors in music citation include:

• Inaccurate or incomplete information
• Inconsistent formatting
• Failure to provide sufficient details for readers to locate the source

Resources

• ABNT Music Citation Guide
• MLA Style Guide
• Chicago Manual of Style

Stories

• The Curious Case of the Missing Composer: A researcher mistakenly cited a musical work without specifying the composer's name. Upon being questioned, the researcher realized they had forgotten to note the composer's name during their research process.
• The Phantom Performance: A student cited a musical performance that had never taken place. When their professor confronted them, the student admitted to fabricating the information in an attempt to meet the assignment deadline.
• The Musical Mix-Up: A writer accidentally reversed the names of two composers, attributing Beethoven's work to Mozart and vice versa. This error went unnoticed until the paper had been published, resulting in embarrassment for the writer.

Conclusion

Citing music according to ABNT is essential for ensuring the accuracy and credibility of academic writing. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, researchers and scholars can effectively reference music sources, facilitating both understanding and accessibility for readers.

In-text Citation Table

Reference List Table

Pros and Cons of ABNT Music Citation

Pros:

• Accuracy and completeness
• Standardization and consistency
• Facilitates reference verification
• Internationally recognized

Cons:

• Can be complex and time-consuming
• Requires careful attention to detail
• Not as widely used as other citation styles