Recording key for musical works (RDA 6.17)

Music Cataloging at YalePreferred titles

See also The names of keys in French, German, Italian, and Spanish

Record the key if one or more of the following conditions applies:
     ° it is commonly identified in reference sources
     ° it appears in the composer's original title or the title proper of the first manifestation
     ° it is apparent from the resource described (unless it is known to be transposed in the resource).

Best practices for music cataloging: If giving key as a component of an access point, routinely also give key in a 384 field. For other works, give key separately in a 384 field if readily ascertainable.

Best practices for music cataloging: Follow the same criteria for recording the mode ("major" or "minor") as for recording the pitch center; that is, if pitch center is given or apparent, but mode is not, record only the pitch center. Record the symbols ♯ and ♭ rather than the words "sharp" and "flat."