Our library uses 789 for the traditions of music. We class Western classical music in the span 781-788 and all others traditions in 789. In this situation where should we classify spirituals songs or gospel music? Is it in 789.702254 (for gospel music) or directly at 782.254? There's a note under 781.7 Sacred music "class sacred vocal music in 782.22," although according to this note we do not have to use any tradition (i.e. sacred). But that note does not appear in 789.7. Also, what is the difference between 782.22 (Sacred vocal forms) and 782.25 (Sacred songs)?

When 781-788 is used only for Western classical music, the first question is whether or not the music being classified is classical music. Gospel music is usually not considered to be a type of Western classical music. Thus, it classes in 789. The next question to address is the tradition of music. Gospel music is in the popular sacred vocal tradition. Western popular music is classed at 789.4; sacred music is classed at 789.7. The instruction at 789 says to class a subject with aspects in two or more subdivisions of 789 in the number coming last. Thus, 789.7 is chosen. Here, scanning the schedule you find --.702 (Voices, instruments, ensembles). The instruction at 789.702 allows the addition of numbers from 782-788. From here add the numbers following 78 in the centered entry, 782-788. --.254 indicates Gospel music. Thus, your final number for Gospel music is indeed 789.702254.

While it is true that the note "class sacred vocal music in 782.22" appears at 781.7, but not at 789.7, note that 789.7 does instruct that it is an optional number and to prefer 781-788. In the case of your library, however, which uses the 781-788 span for Western classical music, 789 is the correct summary-level number.

It is helpful to remember that building a number for a work that is classed in the 780s is a four-step process: 1) determine the various facets of the work, 2) arrange the facets in the proper order, 3) determine whether or not the topics belonging to the facets can be indicated, and 4) follow the add instructions.

Finally, the difference between 782.22 (Sacred vocal forms) and 782.25 (Sacred songs) in essence asks the question: Do not songs equate with non-dramatic vocal music? By definition, a song is usually a short and self-contained piece of vocal music. Thus, large pieces, such as oratorios and cantatas are not songs. 782.22 is the comprehensive number for all types of non-dramatic sacred vocal forms, while 782.25 is the comprehensive number for the short forms. This information is further elucidated in the schedule records' notes and the DDC hierarchy. 782.22 is further described by the note, "For specific sacred vocal forms, see 782.23-782.29." You will see that 782.22 is coordinate to this centered entry, 782.23-782.29 which lists specific sacred forms such as oratorios (--.23), large-scale vocal works such as cantatas (--.24), sacred songs (--.25), motets (--.26), hymns (--.27), carols (--.28), and liturgical forms (--.29). The hierarchical structure of the DDC is apparent in the schedule and subentries are specified where appropriate. For example, both spirituals (--.253) and gospel music (--.254) are coordinate to each other and subordinate to sacred songs (--.25). The class-here note also specifies to class "small-scale sacred vocal forms" at 782.25.

Last revised: 09 January 2004