Music is a significant source in various academic disciplines. Citing music in MLA style requires specific elements: artist’s name, song title, album name, record label, release year, and format. These details apply to both in-text citations and Works Cited entries. Proper citation of music ensures credit to artists and maintains academic integrity when referencing audio sources in research papers.
Different Types of Music Sources
Albums and Songs
Albums and individual songs are the most common music sources you’ll cite. These can come in various formats, including physical CDs, vinyl records, and digital downloads.
Live Performances
Citing live performances requires specific details such as the performer, date, and venue. This category includes concerts, recitals, and other live music events.
Streaming Services
In today’s digital age, streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube are prevalent. Citing these sources involves unique considerations, such as the URL and the date you accessed the content.
Sheet Music and Scores
Sheet music and scores are crucial for musicologists and performers. These citations include information about the composer, publisher, and publication date.
Citing Music Albums
Format for Citing Entire Albums
When citing an entire album in MLA style, the general format is as follows:
Artist’s Last Name, First Name. Album Title. Record Label, Year of Release.
Example Citations for Albums
For instance, to cite The Beatles’ iconic album, you would write:
The Beatles. Abbey Road. Apple Records, 1969.
Citing Individual Songs
Format for Citing a Single Song
Citing an individual song requires a slightly different format:
Artist’s Last Name, First Name. “Song Title.” Album Title, Record Label, Year of Release.
Example Citations for Songs
For example, citing a song from The Beatles’ album mentioned earlier:
The Beatles. “Come Together.” Abbey Road, Apple Records, 1969.
How to Handle Multiple Performers
If a song features multiple performers, include the primary artist and then note the others:
Lamar, Kendrick. “Alright.” To Pimp a Butterfly, featuring Pharrell Williams, Interscope Records, 2015.
Citing Live Performances
Format for Live Performances
To cite a live performance, use this format:
Performer’s Last Name, First Name. Description of Performance. Venue, City, Date of Performance.
Example Citations for Concerts and Shows
An example would be:
Springsteen, Bruce. Concert. Madison Square Garden, New York, 23 Nov. 2016.
Including Venue and Date Information
Including the venue and date helps pinpoint the exact performance, which is crucial for readers who may want to verify the source.
Citing Music from Streaming Services
Specifics of Citing from Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music
When citing music from streaming services, the format includes the URL and access date:
Artist’s Last Name, First Name. “Song Title.” Album Title, Record Label, Year of Release. Name of Streaming Service, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
Example Citations for Streaming Tracks
For example, citing a song from Spotify:
Beyoncé. “Formation.” Lemonade, Parkwood Entertainment, 2016. Spotify, open.spotify.com/track/7jN4UZXjCuFpPJlf2U9F18. Accessed 24 June 2024.
Citing Sheet Music and Scores
Format for Citing Printed Music
Citing printed music follows this structure:
Composer’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Work. Publisher, Year of Publication.
Example Citations for Sheet Music
For example:
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Dover Publications, 1992.
Including Composer and Publisher Information
Including detailed information about the composer and publisher ensures that your citation is thorough and accurate.
Tips for Accurate Music Citations
Always cross-reference your sources with reliable databases or the original source material. Verification tools and databases like MusicBrainz or AllMusic can be invaluable. WriterBuddy can simplify the citation process for those who need a bit of extra help. Using keywords like WriterBuddy MLA Music Citation Generator can produce accurate citations quickly, though always double-check for errors.
FAQs
What is the proper format for citing an entire music album in MLA style?
To cite an entire music album in MLA style, use the following format: Artist’s Last Name, First Name. Album Title. Record Label, Year of Release.
How do you cite a song from a streaming service like Spotify in MLA style?
For citing a song from a streaming service, format it as follows: Artist’s Last Name, First Name. “Song Title.” Album Title, Record Label, Year of Release. Name of Streaming Service, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
Can you include multiple performers in an MLA citation for a song?
Yes, if a song features multiple performers, you include the primary artist and then note the additional performers, like this: Lamar, Kendrick. “Alright.” To Pimp a Butterfly, featuring Pharrell Williams, Interscope Records, 2015.
What details are necessary when citing a live music performance in MLA style?
When citing a live performance, include the performer’s name, a description of the performance, the venue, city, and the date of the performance, formatted as: Performer’s Last Name, First Name. Description of Performance. Venue, City, Date of Performance.
Conclusion
Accurate citation of music in MLA format is crucial for academic credibility. The process involves including artist information, song and album details, and publication information. Following these guidelines helps properly attribute musical works and provides readers with the necessary information to locate the original source.
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