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MUS 3010: Music History and Literature I: What's a Primary Source?

These pages provide resources and tips for completing your research assignment for Music 3010. Feel free to contact me for help with this assignment using the information on the bottom of this page.

Primary or Secondary Source?

A primary source is first-hand information created during the time that you are researching. Primary sources include things like:

  • diary
  • score
  • correspondence
A secondary source is second-hand information, often written by an expert who draws on both primary and contextual information.  Secondary sources include things like:
  • an annotated score
  • a scholarly article
  • a biography

Examples

  • Autobiographies
  • Diaries
  • Documents
  • Eyewitness accounts
  • Film footage
  • Laws
  • Letters
  • Newspaper articles
  • Concert programs
  • Novels
  • Objects from the time
  • Oral histories
  • Photographs
  • Poems, art
  • Speeches
  • Musical scores
  • Recordings

Sample Article