An endless labyrinth of categories within categories, the Muze database is a perfect tool for researching specific recordings or just browsing. Access to this computer kiosk (updated monthly) is free-of-charge for Quimper Sound customers, so let's dive right in.
The first choice is very broad: Pop, Rock & Other. This includes all nonclassical musics and breaks down further into:
ARTIST - Look up your favorites, check out songlists and notes from their various releases.
SONG - Search by title or keyword therein. Find out who has recorded your favorite song(s).
ALBUM - Search by title or keyword.
RECORD LABEL - Got a spunky little label you dig? Check out all their releases.
CATEGORY - Now it starts to get interesting. Here's a very small sampling of styles listed in the subcategories:
Rock- experimental, glam/glitter, loFi, industrial, psychedelic...
Country - bluegrass, cowboy, outlaw...
Jazz - all the major trends, plus the cool option of searching by instrument...
Blues - delta to modern urban...
R&B - acid jazz, new orleans, UK house...
Rap - french, latin, southern...
World - aboriginal & afghani to zimbabwean & zouk...
Other - spoken word, comedy, electronic, easy listening (with further divisions like exotica lounge)...
A page accessed at the bottom of the screen, NarrowSearch, allows you to set even more parameters, such as guest artist, year of release and producer.
CLASSICAL MELTDOWN!
When searching for a recording from the classical canon or modern tradition, enter as many choices as needed on the NarrowSearch page:
Composer - extensive listing
Composition - a partial title phrase will sometimes work
Composition Type - an interesting browse, from agnus dei to zarzuela
Sequence Number - try opus numbers or BWV(Bach), K(Mozart) designations
Ensemble - find your favorites
Record Label - support good ones
Soloist - more voluminous listings
Conductor - the silent guy...
Instrument - here's a few to check out (I can't help myself!):
accordion (760 pieces!)
alto sackbut
alumiphone
bullroarer
conch shell
crwth
data glove
espejo plasmaht
JustStrokeRods
steel guitar
toy piano
zoomoozophone
After you get some hits, try changing between composition (more specific, with conductor, composer, ensemble & soloist) and album title.
Maybe you'll find new ways to use the mighty Muze. One little girl thanked us for letting her type to her Grandma, who is "up in heaven."