Dickinson classification


The Dickinson classification is a library classification scheme used to catalogue and classify musical compositions. It was developed by George Sherman Dickinson, and published in 1938. It is used by many music libraries, primarily those at Vassar and Columbia Universities.
It is also recorded, albeit incompletely, by Carol June Bradley in The Dickinson Classification for Music, published in 1972.

Class 000 – Miscellaneous

000 Several or special classes

Classes 100–600 – Instrumental

100 Keyboard

200 Bowed strings

300 Winds

400 Plucked strings, percussion, mechanical and miscellaneous instruments

Plucked strings

Percussion

Mechanical and miscellaneous instruments

500 Chamber ensembles

600 Orchestral ensembles

Classes 700–900 – Vocal (with or without instruments)

700 Vocal solo and solo ensembles

800 Choral ensembles

900 Dramatic ensembles