Transcription of music/sound recording (unpublished)


You may need to consult more than one section of Re:cite to accurately represent the source used. Your citation may look different depending on the number of authors it has. Check the About Chicago A page for further advice.

This example is an interpretation, based on guidelines for unpublished manuscripts (Manual 14.216) and interviews (Manual 14.211). Please consult your lecturer for specific requirements.

    Neither the Chicago nor Turabian manuals deal explicitly with unpublished transcriptions.

Footnote template

Footnote number. Composer/Improviser, "Title", [transcribed by] Transcriber, Year of transcription.

Footnote example

First entry:

31. Amanda Rine, "Citrus", transcribed by Josephine Bloggs, 2013. 

Second and subsequent entries:

45. Rine, "Citrus", trans. Bloggs.

Bibliography

Bibliography template

Unpublished works are usually omitted from the bibliography, however they can be included if they form a critical part of your research, or if they are frequently cited. Check with your lecturer if you are unsure.

Composer/Improviser Surname, Given Name. "Title". Transcribed by Transcriber. Year of transcription.

Bibliography example

Rine, Amanda. "Citrus". Transcribed by Josephine Bloggs. 2013.

Tips for this reference type

  • NOTE: This example is an interpretation, based on guidelines for unpublished manuscripts (Manual 14.114) and interviews (Manual 14.108). Please consult your lecturer for specific requirements.
  • Unpublished scores (see 14.156) are treated in the same way as other unpublished material in manuscript collections.
  • Use quotation marks for specific titles of works, but not for generic terms such as 'improvisation'.
  • Any facts relevant to identifying the item should be included. It may also be appropriate to include an individual performer's name.
  • If no date can be determined from the source, use the abbreviation 'n.d' in place of the year. This stands for 'no date'. If you believe you know the date but cannot confirm it, you may add it in square brackets followed by a question mark to indicate uncertainty (ie. [2003?].)
  • The abbreviation “No.” is now capitalized within the title of a musical work except when following an opus number.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)