A dynamic database for advanced music-browsing

[tilmaen]

Hello,

I had this idea regarding the browsing functionality on IMSLP. I found that imslp is great for finding new compositions which are not performed as often as the "basics". However finding pieces for a certain ensemble is rather difficult. The "Browse by indexed genre / Instrumental(chamber)" function seems somewhat static to me since somebody has to update it regularly.
would it be possible to create a search mask in which you can select certain instruments (in my case clarinet) which then searches all the IMSLP works for their instrumentation? I imagine the easiest way to do it would be to tag each piece with the instruments (maybe a drop-down menu in the upload form would serve this purpuse best). If all the pieces were tagged one could create an index - lets say once a day - which then can be searched (php?) for specific tags.
tagging and indexing the pieces for a dynamic search mask would also allow one to look for pieces written during a certain period, pieces from different countries, pieces of different styles ... you name it. it would surely be easier to maintain than the current system in which - i believe - the lists (lets say the list for piano trios) has to be update manually.

unfortunatly i lack the programming skills to create a search mask like that, however i'm sure somebody is skilled enough

greetings
tilman

(P.S. if you think my idea is complete BS please don't hesitate to tell me )

[varnis]

Seconded, i would very much like to see this idea, i notice some pieces have the standard instrumentation labelled on them (Hebrides overture) a search based on that would be trivial to implement, i dont know whether the wiki software has that functionality though. On a related note, what logic is behind search results, alphabetical order?

[Lyle Neff]

I have an observation in this regard.

The current system of "genres" is inadequate, not merely because it is extremely limited in choices. It combines true genres (types of pieces) with categories based on performing forces, e.g., "opera" is a musical genre, but "piece for string section" is a performance category.

To illustrate: "piano piece" is not a genre -- the term simply says that the piece is for piano (although, interestingly enough, it doesn't have to mean "solo.") "Piano pieces" include many genres: preludes, fugues, scherzos, character pieces, sonatas, etudes, etc., and these genres can be found in music for other performing forces.

Admittedly some genre terms do coincide with performance terms, as with string quartet.

Just some thoughts.

[Carolus]

The present system is indeed woefully inadequate. Since this is an area which will have to be addressed when an upgrade to the DB is done in the future, it might be a good idea to look over some categorization systems in place elsewhere. Sheet Music Plus appears to have a fairly decent one for sorting out vocal and instrumental forces involved for different works. The Kalmus site has intrumentation, genre, and category all split into separate fields, as does their sister site, LudwigMasters. L of C has a system also.

[varnis]

Basically, if one needs a search for parts or instrumentation, then when one uploads a part one tags it with Clarinet 1 or Solo Piano, such that one can search that way. However for incomplete parts some form of shorthand must be used, which is easy in some ways and very difficult in others, maybe standardise on a syntax for string forces, and use shorthand for other instruments like cla. for clarinet in A and clb. for clarinet in Bb etc etc

A search for instrumentation alone would then be required and furthermore a widget to turn the set of part codes into a correct instrumentation tag.

My three cents chaps.