Music classification : a comparative study of the three general classificationsystems DDC, SAB and UDC

The purpose of this Master's thesis is to determine which of the three general classification schemes, DDC, SAB, and UDC is the most appropriate for classifying music documents. This is done by analysing and classifying 60 music documents such as recordings, scores and books about music. The codes resulting from the classification are analysed according to a number of evaluation criteria based on classification theory. The criteria focus on the systems specificity, exhaustivity, exclusivity, helpful sequence, hospitality, notation and that related classes are kept together. The study showed that the systems specificity in classification was of great importance in classifying music documents because of the diversity of music genres. SAB showed the best results in this respect, but the study also showed that DDC might become the best system for music classification in the future. The reasons for this are that DDC keeps related classes together, has a hospitable and easily readable notation, good exhaustivity and a helpful sequence. UDC and SAB have some of these benefits but do not match DDC. However, DDC needs a revision and an extension of the pop- and rock music section for better specificity.Uppsatsnivå: