The New Harvard Dictionary of Music (Harvard University Press Reference Library)

Next to Groves, I feel this is the best music encyclopedia / dictionary. My only complaint is that in an effort to condense an great amount of information, clear language is occasionally sacrificed.Unlike Wikipedia, the facts here are unimpeachable.Use this along with the Harvard Biographical Dictionary of Music and you will have a thorough library of music reference material.

If you're a serious musician you need this book! All terms defined in one place. They are so thorough they even define "dictionary." Contains brief histories of various genres of music. Outstanding reference book for musicians.

Easy to use and contains what I was looking to find.

This Music Dictionary is very informative. I would be willing to go so far as to say that everything that we have searched for in its pages has been there, and very educational. In other words, there was nothing we looked for that wasn't there. I would recommend this book.

Great book, I used it to write several of my Music History papers. Extremely helpful, easy to reference, good index.

Beautiful book, clear and well written.

This was no doubt essential reading in its day, but most of the information is now freely available on the internet. would not buy again.

This appears to be comprehensive but is written in detailed terms that one must lookup. It's like using a term to describe the same term. In fairness I am only a student but I rather doubt most students and intermediate level musicians will see much benefit from this volume.