How to Cite Music in MLA Style: A Detailed Guide

In the academic world, citing music properly is crucial for giving credit to the creators of musical works and ensuring that readers can trace the sources of the information you present in your research. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used in various fields, including music studies. Here’s a detailed guide on how to cite music using MLA style, exploring various viewpoints and practical examples.

1. Basic Rules for Citing Music in MLA Style

When citing music in MLA style, it’s essential to provide the reader with enough information to identify the source accurately. Here are some basic rules to follow:

• Include the composer’s name, the title of the composition, and the year of publication or performance if known.
• If the source is a recording or digital file, provide the record label or platform name.
• If the music is part of a larger collection or album, specify the track or tracks you are citing.

2. Citing Music: Various Viewpoints

• Historical Context: When citing music that has historical significance, it’s important to provide additional contextual information, such as the period or movement it belongs to. For instance, a classical composition might need to be attributed to a specific era or composer’s style.
• Analyzing Music: If you are analyzing a piece of music, you might want to focus on citing specific sections or melodies within the composition. In this case, providing a detailed description of the analyzed section would be helpful for readers to understand your analysis context.
• Music as a Source of Inspiration: If you are citing music as a source of inspiration for your work, it’s essential to acknowledge its influence but also provide your own interpretation and analysis of how the music relates to your work.

3. Examples of Citing Music in MLA Style

• Example 1: Single composition by a single composer: “The haunting melody of Beethoven’s ‘Für Elise’” (Beethoven, 2000). Or in a parenthetical citation: (Beethoven 2000). Note: Provide the exact year if possible, especially for newer releases where timing can be crucial for accuracy.
• Example 2: Song from an album: “The opening track ‘Blackbird’ from ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ captures the essence of Floyd’s musical genius” (Pink Floyd, 1973).
• Example 3: Classical music with multiple movements or tracks: “The second movement of Bach’s ‘Mass in B-flat Major’ underscores the power of Bach’s composition” (Bach, Track 2 from Mass in B-flat Major album). Note: Include track information if it’s available and necessary for identification.

Related Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What if I am citing a live performance of a piece? Do I need to include any additional information?
A: Yes, for a live performance, include the name of the performer, the venue, and the date of the performance. If possible, also provide a description of the setting or occasion.

Q: How do I handle quoting lyrics within my paper?
A: When quoting lyrics within your paper, follow the standard quotation rules using either single (‘) or double quotation marks (“). Include the page number in case you are citing lyrics from a published version of the songbook or lyrics sheet. If citing lyrics online, provide a direct link to the source.

Q: What if I am citing a music video?
A: For a music video, include the director’s name (if different from the artist), title of the video, and release year. Also, specify whether it was streamed online or from a physical medium like DVD/Blu-ray. Provide the platform name or record label if applicable. Remember to provide contextual information about how this video relates to your discussion.