Quick reference Cutter numbers

• Composers:

• Common title words or names of instruments

• Cutter numbers used for publisher when used to resolve a conflict in call numbers

Using the Cutter-Sanborn Three-Figure Author Table

The Yale University Music Library uses the Cutter-Sanborn Three-Figure Author Table as the source for most Cutter numbers.

• The Yale Music Library does not use decimal points in the Cutter number: M939 not .M939

• If a name or word falls between two Cutter numbers, use the lower number:

  • The name Stankovíc falls between Stanh S786 and Stanl S787. Because "k" comes after "h" but before "l," use the lower number: S786.

• Cutter a vowel with an umlaut as that vowel followed by an "e":

  • Because the name Boëly has an umlaut, it should be Cuttered as "boeely," making it fall between Boe B669 and Boeh B671. Because "e" comes before "h," the lower number, B669 is used.

  • If the umlaut had not been in the name, it would have been Cuttered as "boely," falling between Boeh B671 and Boer B672.

• Cutter a surname beginning with "Mc" as "Mac":

  • The Cutter table jumps from "mazzon" (478) to "me" (479), with no intervening "mc," so it would be difficult to Cutter all names beginning with "McC" in M478.

• Cutter a surname with more than one element as one word:

• The Cutter-Sanborn table does not use numbers that include or end in zero (100-109, 120, etc.). Numbers with zeroes are always skipped, even when adjusting a number to resolve a conflict. See Call numbers for Scores and Call numbers for Books for a complete explanation.

• If using a Cutter-Sanborn number generator, enter the filing form of the term into the generator.

  • “McComb” should be Cuttered as “maccomb”

  • “De la Rue” should be Cuttered as “delarue.”

When to use LC Cutter numbers vs Cutter-Sanborn numbers for subarrangement in M, ML, and MT

When a class number is subarranged by instrument, topic, person, or place, a Cutter number may be found in Class M (or determined by using the Library of Congress Cutter table). In some class numbers, local practice is to use the LC Cutter number; in other class numbers, a Cutter-Sanborn number is used, even when an LC Cutter number is given in the classification schedule.

The sections below indicate in which class numbers the Yale Music Library uses an LC Cutter number and in which classes we use a Cutter-Sanborn number.

M1-M2191

Use LC Cutter numbers, when required and given, in Class M or determined by using the LC Cutter table for all class numbers from M1-M2191 that are subarranged by:

• instrument (for example, M239, M270-M271, M1034/M1134, M1037.4/M1137.4, M1039.4/M1139.4),

  • With one exception, for M175.X6

• season (for example, M14.4, M2114.5-.8.A-Z, M2068.A-Z, M2078.A-Z, M2088.A-Z, M2098.A-Z),

• text (for example, M2079.A-Z, M2099.A-Z, M2114, etc.)

When a Cutter number has not yet been established in these class numbers, determine the number by using the LC Cutter table.

ML1-ML3930 and MT1-MT956

Class numbers subarranged by instrument or topic

Use Cutter-Sanborn numbers for the following class numbers, which are subarranged by instrument or topic:

Common Cutter-Sanborn numbers already established locally for instruments and topics in these class numbers are given in the table below. For topics not included in this list, or not yet established under a given class number, use the Cutter-Sanborn Three-Figure Author Table.

NOTE: strikethrough indicates topical Cutters no longer in use.

Class numbers subarranged by person

Use the Cutter-Sanborn number already established for composers found in this list:

For other composers, performers, etc., use the Cutter-Sanborn Three-Figure Author Table to establish a Cutter number in these class numbers:

Class numbers subarranged by place

Use a Cutter-Sanborn number in any class number that can be subarranged by country or, following ML198+, by state, province, etc., or city: