MH316/IN350- Introduction to Ethnomusicology: Finding Articles

To access any of the article databases discussed on this page:

1)  Sign in to myMillikin

2)  Click on "Library Databases" (under the Academics menu)

3)  Click on the subject "Music"

4)  On the next screen, click on the title of the database you wish to search, some options include:

RILM
Music Index
JSTOR
Academic Search Complete

RILM Search Tips

• Because RILM is international in coverage, you will likely retrieve non-English results:
  • you may need to limit your results to those written in English. Use the limit, towards the bottom of the screen below the search boxes, labeled Language of Item to select the desired language.

• while the abstract or even the title may be in English, the actual article may not be. Click on the title of the article you are interested in, and look at the Language field to confirm the article is in a language you can read before proceeding.

• RILM covers not only articles, but
  • dissertations and master's theses: these are difficult to obtain since usually only one or two copies exists worldwide. Ignore these results unless you have the patience, time, and money needed to request them through interlibrary loan. Even then, you may not be successful in obtaining them.

• books and book chapters: you will have to search the title of the book to see whether Staley Library, or another I-Share library owns it.

Music Index Search Tips

• Content is mostly English, but you may obtain results for articles in other languages. This is indicated at the end of the article title, in parentheses.

JSTOR Search Tips

• If you want to limit your results to articles (eliminate books reviews and other, miscellaneous content), check the "Articles" Item Type box, below the search boxes.

• If you are researching a person, try searching their name in quotations marks to eliminate results about others with similar names (for example "Clara Schumann" to get fewer articles about Robert Schumann. Elisabeth Schumann, etc.).

• If you would like to eliminate non-English search results, use the Language limit below the search boxes. Select "English" from the drop down menu.

• You can select a subject area from the list below the search boxes. This will limit your search to the JSTOR journals in that subject area.

• To view the article, click on the article's title in the search results, then click on "View PDF." Click on "Accept JSTOR's Terms and Conditions and proceed to PDF."

*Caution- JSTOR pdf files are extremely high quality scans, which means they can take quite awhile to print.

Academic Search Complete Search Tips

• To limit your search to scholarly/peer-reviewed articles, check the box next to "Scholarly (Peer-Reviewed) Journals," on the left side of the screen.

• To preview a description of the article (abstract), hover your mouse of the symbol of the magnifying glass.

Helpful keywords/search terms for you music diplomacy project:

• Music and diplomacy
• Cultural diplomacy
• Music - Political aspects
• Arts and diplomacy
• United States cultural policy and music
• United States foreign relations and music
• Music in intercultural communication
• Performing organizations and diplomacy
• <Specific type of music> and diplomacy
  • Rap music and diplomacy
  • Jazz and diplomacy
  • Opera and diplomacy
• <Specific type of music> and foreign relations
  • Jazz and foreign relations
  • Gospel music and foreign relations
• <Specific name of organization>
  • Jazz ambassadors
  • NextLevel
  • Silk Road Ensemble
• <Specific era, culture, religion, country, region, etc.>
  • Cold War
  • Soviet Union
  • Eastern Europe
  • Islam
  • France
  • Asia

These can be combined in various ways. For example: "Cold War" and "Music" and "Diplomacy"