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{{official style guideline}}
=Official MusicBrainz Style Guidelines=


The following style guidelines outline how the data in [[MusicBrainz]] should be formatted and organized. If you would like to participate in the editing process, please take a moment to review these guidelines. Please take a look at the [[Users Mailing List|UsersMailingList]] if you require assistance.
The following style guidelines outline how the data in MusicBrainz should be formatted and organized. If you would like to participate in the editing process, please take a moment to review these guidelines. If you require further assistance take a look at the [[Users Mailing List|users mailing list]].


Please ''do not change the guidelines on your own''. If you have an idea for new a style guideline, or would like to suggest changes to an existing style guideline, please send a [[Proposals|proposal]] to the [[Style Mailing List|Style Council]].
==About the Style Guidelines==


==About the style guidelines==
The following are those [[Style Guidelines|StyleGuidelines]] that are officially sanctioned by the [[Style Council|StyleCouncil]]. There are currently two places to find these guidelines:
* [http://musicbrainz.org/doc/OfficialStyleGuideline musicbrainz.org/doc/OfficialStyleGuideline]
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">The [[WikiDocs]] version of this page.
</ul>
* [http://wiki.musicbrainz.org/OfficialStyleGuideline wiki.musicbrainz.org/OfficialStyleGuideline]
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">The wiki version of the style guidelines. These might include discussions or changes which are not official yet.
</ul>


The following [[Style Guidelines|style guidelines]] are those that have been officially sanctioned by the [[Style Council]].
Please ''do not change the guidelines themselves'', unless you are a member of the [[Style Council|StyleCouncil]], or you really know what you are doing. If you have ideas for new style guidelines or changes, please send them to the [[Style Mailing List|StyleMailingList]] (if you are new to [[MusicBrainz]], ask on the [[Users Mailing List|UsersMailingList]] first). They might then be added to [[Proposed Style Guideline|ProposedStyleGuideline]]<code><nowiki></nowiki></code>s and eventually be made an OfficialStyleGuideline by the [[Style Council|StyleCouncil]].

There are currently two places to find these guidelines (for more information on the transclusion mechanism see [[WikiDocs]]):
* On the MusicBrainz website at http://musicbrainz.org/doc/Official_Style_Guideline
*: This version of the official style guidelines is to be used when editing the database.
* On the MusicBrainz wiki at http://wiki.musicbrainz.org/Official_Style_Guideline
*: This version of the official style guidelines may differ from the above and include modifications or revisions that have not been made official yet.


==The Guidelines==
==The Guidelines==


It's important to know that these are '''guidelines''', not strict rules. The [[Style Principle|StylePrinciple]]s explain when guidelines should be applied and when they should not. There are also officially sanctioned [[Exceptions To The Style Guidelines|ExceptionsToTheStyleGuidelines]].
It's important to know that these are '''guidelines''', not strict rules. The [[Style Principle|style principles]] explain when guidelines should be applied and when they should not. There are also officially sanctioned [[Exceptions To The Style Guidelines|exceptions]] to the style guidelines.


===Release Titles===
===Release titles===


The following guidelines apply to the [[Release Title|ReleaseTitle]] field:
The following guidelines apply to the [[Release Title|ReleaseTitle]] field:
* [[Subtitle Style|SubTitleStyle]]:
; [[Subtitle Style|Subtitle style]]
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">Use a colon (:) to separate parts of a title: "''[[Main Title|MainTitle]]: [[Subtitle|SubTitle]]''".
: Use a colon (:) to separate parts of a title: "''[[Main Title|Main title]]: [[Subtitle|Subtitle]]''".
</ul>
* [[Disc Number Style|DiscNumberStyle]]:
** Indicate [[Disc Number|DiscNumber]]<code><nowiki></nowiki></code>s like this: "''[[Main Title|MainTitle]] (disc 2)''".
** If each disc has an extra title do it like this: "''[[Main Title|MainTitle]] (disc 2: [[Disc Title|DiscTitle]])''".
** For bonus discs add "'' (bonus disc)''" to the end.
** Individual singles released with a disc number appended to the title should be standardised as "''[[Main Title|MainTitle]] (disc 2)''".


* [[Series Number Style|SeriesNumberStyle]]:
; [[Disc Number Style|Disc number style]]
: Indicate [[Disc Number|disc numbers]] like this: "''[[Main Title|Main title]] (disc 2)''".
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">[[Volume Number|VolumeNumber]]<code><nowiki></nowiki></code>s are special: append them with a comma like this: "''[[Main Title|MainTitle]], [[Volume Number|VolumeNumber]]''". See [[Volume Number Style|VolumeNumberStyle]] for specific details.
: If each disc has an extra title do it like this: "''[[Main Title|Main title]] (disc 2: [[Disc Title|Disc title]])''".
</ul>
: For bonus discs add "'' (bonus disc)''" to the end.
* [[Box Set Name Style|BoxSetNameStyle]]:
: Individual singles released with a disc number appended to the title should be standardised as "''[[Main Title|Main title]] (disc 2)''".
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">Box sets are done like this: "''(box 5, disc 2)''".
</ul>
* [[Untitled Bootleg Style|UntitledBootlegStyle]]:
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">untitled bootlegs should be labelled like this: "''2000-10-22: Las Vegas, NV, USA''".
</ul>
* [[Multiple Title Style|MultipleTitleStyle]]:
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">Multiple releases on one disc and multiple songs on one track are separated by " / ". Yes, that's ''space, forward slash, space''.
</ul>
* [[EP Style|EPStyle]]:
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">If the word "''EP''" or "''E.P.''" is part of a title, it should be retained.
</ul>
* [[Soundtrack Title Style|SoundtrackTitleStyle]]:
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">A soundtrack should be given the same title as the film, and should not include extra detail such as "Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" or similar descriptive information. Set the [[Release Attribute|ReleaseAttribute]] to "Soundtrack".
</ul>


; [[Series Number Style|Series number style]]
===Track Titles===
: [[Volume Number|Volume numbers]] are special: append them with a comma like this: "''[[Main Title|Main title]], [[Volume Number|Volume number]]''". See [[Volume Number Style|volume number style]] for specific details.


* [[Versus Style|VersusStyle]]:
; [[Box Set Name Style|Box set name style]]
: Box sets are done like this: "''(box 5, disc 2)''".
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">About the uses of "versus" and how we deal with them.
</ul>
* [[Remix Style|RemixStyle]]:
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">How we deal with remixes and other versions of tracks (such as demo versions, etc).
</ul>
* [[Data Track Style|DataTrackStyle]]:
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">[[Data Track|DataTrack]]s are named "''[data track]''".
</ul>
* [[Untitled Track Style|UntitledTrackStyle]]:
** Untitled tracks are named "''[untitled]''".
** Silence tracks are named "''[silence]''".
** Unknown tracks are named "''[unknown]''".


* [[Series Number Style|SeriesNumberStyle]]:
; [[Live Bootleg Style|Live bootleg style]]
: Bootlegs should be labelled like this: "''2000-10-22: Las Vegas, NV, USA''".
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">[[Part Number|PartNumber]]<code><nowiki></nowiki></code>s are special: append them with a comma like this: "''Title, [[Part Number|PartNumber]]''". See [[Part Number Style|PartNumberStyle]] for specific details.

</ul>
* [[Extra Title Information Style|ExtraTitleInformationStyle]]:
; [[Multiple Title Style|Multiple title style]]
: Multiple releases on one disc and multiple songs on one track are separated by " / ". Yes, that's ''space, forward slash, space''.
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">This is a list of information that should be omitted from [[Release Title|ReleaseTitle]]<code><nowiki></nowiki></code>s and [[Track Title|TrackTitle]]<code><nowiki></nowiki></code>s.

</ul>
; [[EP Style|EP style]]
* [[Track Attribute Style|TrackAttributeStyle]] (could be merged into the above [[Extra Title Information Style|ExtraTitleInformationStyle]]):
: If the word "''EP''" or "''E.P.''" is part of a title, it should be retained.
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">Enter mix names and other track attributes in parenthesis after the title.

</ul>
===Track titles===

; [[Versus Style|Versus style]]
: About the uses of "versus" and how we deal with them.

; [[Remix Style|Remix style]]
: How we deal with remixes and other versions of tracks (such as demo versions, etc).

; [[Data Track Style|Data track style]]
: [[Data Track|DataTrack]]s are named "''[data track]''".

; [[Untitled Track Style|Untitled track style]]
: Untitled tracks are named "''[untitled]''".
: Silence tracks are named "''[silence]''".
: Unknown tracks are named "''[unknown]''".

; [[Series Number Style|Series number style]]
: [[Part Number|Part numbers]] are special, append them with a comma like this: "''Title, [[Part Number|part number]]''". See [[Part Number Style|part number style]] for specific details.

; [[Extra Title Information Style|Extra title information style]]
: This is a list of information that should be omitted or included in [[Release Title|release titles]] and [[Track Title|track titles]].


===Artists===
===Artists===


* [[Featuring Artist Style|FeaturingArtistStyle]]:
; [[Featuring Artist Style|Featuring artist style]]
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">When two artists collaborate, file the track under the [[Primary Artist|PrimaryArtist]], and append the name of the [[Secondary Artist|SecondaryArtist]] to the [[Track Title|TrackTitle]] like this "''(feat. Everlast)''".
: When two artists collaborate, file the track under the [[Primary Artist|primary artist]], and append the name of the [[Secondary Artist|secondary artist]] to the [[Track Title|track title]] like this "''(feat. Everlast)''".

</ul>
* [[Release Artist Style|ReleaseArtistStyle]]:
; [[Release Artist Style|Release artist style]]
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">This covers when to use one [[Primary Artist|PrimaryArtist]] and when to use [[Various Artists|VariousArtists]] as [[Release Artist|ReleaseArtist]] for a release. Note that the [[Classical Release Artist Style|ClassicalReleaseArtistStyle]] spells out different rules for classical music.
: This covers when to use one [[Primary Artist|primary artist]] and when to use [[Various Artists|various artists]] as [[Release Artist|release artist]] for a release. Note that the [[Classical Release Artist Style|classical release artist style]] spells out different rules for classical music.

</ul>
; [[Special Purpose Artist|Special purpose artists]]
* [[Unknown Artist Style|UnknownArtistStyle]]:
: Several special artist listings ([anonymous], [data], [dialogue], [no artist], [unknown], and Various Artists) are approved for use when the artist is unknown, dialogue, nature sounds, data, etc. See this guideline for details on these artists.
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">If the artist is unknown, file the release/track under the ''[unknown]'' artist.

</ul>
* [[No Artist Style|NoArtistStyle]]:
; [[Sortname Style|Sortname style]]
: Discusses how [[Artist Sort Name|artist sort names]] should be used.
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">Recordings that have no artist should be filed under ''[no artist]''. This would be appropriate for silence, bird song etc.

</ul>
===General guidelines===
* [[Sortname Style|SortNameStyle]]:

<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">Discusses how [[Artist Sort Name|ArtistSortName]]<code><nowiki></nowiki></code>s should be used.
; [[Capitalization Standard|Capitalization standard]]
</ul>
: Discusses how titles should be capitalized in various languages.

; [[Classical Style Guide|Classical style guide]]
: Discusses how details relating to classical music should be stored (also can be applied to musicals). More specific details on [[Classical Release Artist Style|classical release artist style]].


; [[Miscellaneous Guideline|Miscellaneous guidelines]]
===General Guidelines===
: Covers the little guidelines that aren't worthy of a whole wiki page all to themselves.


; [[Abbreviation Style|Abbreviation style]]
* [[Capitalization Standard|CapitalizationStandard]]:
: Discusses our policy on abbreviations.
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">Discusses how titles should be capitalized in various languages.
</ul>
* [[Classical Style Guide|ClassicalStyleGuide]]:
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">Discusses how details relating to classical music should be stored (also can be applied to musicals). More specific details on [[Classical Release Artist Style|ClassicalReleaseArtistStyle]].
</ul>
* [[Miscellaneous Guideline|MiscellaneousGuideline]]<code><nowiki></nowiki></code>s:
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">Covers the little guidelines that aren't worthy of a whole wiki page all to themselves.
</ul>
* [[Abbreviation Style|AbbreviationStyle]]:
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">Discusses our policy on abbreviations.
</ul>


===Advanced Relationships===
===Release attributes===


[[Release Attribute|Release attributes]] define the type and status of an audio release and provide information about the contents of the release. Release attributes should apply to most of the tracks on the release. It's OK to have a couple of tracks that do not fit the release attribute, as long as the attribute applies to the release overall.
* [[Member Of Band Relationship Style|MemberOfBandRelationshipStyle]]:
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">If a [[Band Member|BandMember]] is usually known by a particular [[Performance Name|PerformanceName]], use this to link them to the band instead of their [[Legal Name|LegalName]].
</ul>


===Release Attributes===
; [[Release Type|Release type]]
: A release can be set to one of the following release types: Album, Single, EP, Compilation, Soundtrack, Spokenword, Interview, Audiobook, Live, Remix, or Other. See [[Release Attribute|release attribute]] for a short summary and [[Release Type|release type]] for details.


; [[Release Language|Release language]]
[[Release Attribute|ReleaseAttribute]]<code><nowiki></nowiki></code>s define the type and status of an audio release and provide information about the contents of the release. Release attributes should apply to most of the tracks on the release. It's OK to have a couple of tracks that do not fit the release attribute, as long as the attribute applies to the release overall.
: The language used in the [[Release Title|release title]] and [[Track Title|track titles]].
* [[Release Type|ReleaseType]]:
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">The Type of a release can be: Album, Single, EP, Compilation, Soundtrack, Spokenword, Interview, Audiobook, Live, Remix, or Other. See [[Release Attribute|ReleaseAttribute]] for a short summary and [[Release Type|ReleaseType]] for details.
</ul>
* [[Release Language|ReleaseLanguage]]:
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">The Language used in the [[Release Title|ReleaseTitle]] and [[Track Title|TrackTitle]]s.
</ul>
* [[Release Status|ReleaseStatus]]:
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">The Status of a release can be: Official, Promotion, or Bootleg. See [[Release Attribute|ReleaseAttribute]] for a short summary and [[Release Status|ReleaseStatus]] for details.
</ul>


; [[Release Status|Release status]]
[[Category:To Be Reviewed]] [[Category:Style]] [[Category:Official Style]] [[Category:WikiDocs Page]]
: A release can have one of the following statuses: Official, Promotion, or Bootleg. See [[Release Attribute|release attribute]] for a short summary and [[Release Status|release status]] for details.

Latest revision as of 18:39, 29 March 2012

Status: This Page is Glorious History!

The content of this page either is bit-rotted, or has lost its reason to exist due to some new features having been implemented in MusicBrainz, or maybe just described something that never made it in (or made it in a different way), or possibly is meant to store information and memories about our Glorious Past. We still keep this page to honor the brave editors who, during the prehistoric times (prehistoric for you, newcomer!), struggled hard to build a better present and dreamed of an even better future. We also keep it for archival purposes because possibly it still contains crazy thoughts and ideas that may be reused someday. If you're not into looking at either the past or the future, you should just disregard entirely this page content and look for an up to date documentation page elsewhere.

The following style guidelines outline how the data in MusicBrainz should be formatted and organized. If you would like to participate in the editing process, please take a moment to review these guidelines. If you require further assistance take a look at the users mailing list.

Please do not change the guidelines on your own. If you have an idea for new a style guideline, or would like to suggest changes to an existing style guideline, please send a proposal to the Style Council.

About the style guidelines

The following style guidelines are those that have been officially sanctioned by the Style Council.

There are currently two places to find these guidelines (for more information on the transclusion mechanism see WikiDocs):

The Guidelines

It's important to know that these are guidelines, not strict rules. The style principles explain when guidelines should be applied and when they should not. There are also officially sanctioned exceptions to the style guidelines.

Release titles

The following guidelines apply to the ReleaseTitle field:

Subtitle style
Use a colon (:) to separate parts of a title: "Main title: Subtitle".
Disc number style
Indicate disc numbers like this: "Main title (disc 2)".
If each disc has an extra title do it like this: "Main title (disc 2: Disc title)".
For bonus discs add " (bonus disc)" to the end.
Individual singles released with a disc number appended to the title should be standardised as "Main title (disc 2)".
Series number style
Volume numbers are special: append them with a comma like this: "Main title, Volume number". See volume number style for specific details.
Box set name style
Box sets are done like this: "(box 5, disc 2)".
Live bootleg style
Bootlegs should be labelled like this: "2000-10-22: Las Vegas, NV, USA".
Multiple title style
Multiple releases on one disc and multiple songs on one track are separated by " / ". Yes, that's space, forward slash, space.
EP style
If the word "EP" or "E.P." is part of a title, it should be retained.

Track titles

Versus style
About the uses of "versus" and how we deal with them.
Remix style
How we deal with remixes and other versions of tracks (such as demo versions, etc).
Data track style
DataTracks are named "[data track]".
Untitled track style
Untitled tracks are named "[untitled]".
Silence tracks are named "[silence]".
Unknown tracks are named "[unknown]".
Series number style
Part numbers are special, append them with a comma like this: "Title, part number". See part number style for specific details.
Extra title information style
This is a list of information that should be omitted or included in release titles and track titles.

Artists

Featuring artist style
When two artists collaborate, file the track under the primary artist, and append the name of the secondary artist to the track title like this "(feat. Everlast)".
Release artist style
This covers when to use one primary artist and when to use various artists as release artist for a release. Note that the classical release artist style spells out different rules for classical music.
Special purpose artists
Several special artist listings ([anonymous], [data], [dialogue], [no artist], [unknown], and Various Artists) are approved for use when the artist is unknown, dialogue, nature sounds, data, etc. See this guideline for details on these artists.
Sortname style
Discusses how artist sort names should be used.

General guidelines

Capitalization standard
Discusses how titles should be capitalized in various languages.
Classical style guide
Discusses how details relating to classical music should be stored (also can be applied to musicals). More specific details on classical release artist style.
Miscellaneous guidelines
Covers the little guidelines that aren't worthy of a whole wiki page all to themselves.
Abbreviation style
Discusses our policy on abbreviations.

Release attributes

Release attributes define the type and status of an audio release and provide information about the contents of the release. Release attributes should apply to most of the tracks on the release. It's OK to have a couple of tracks that do not fit the release attribute, as long as the attribute applies to the release overall.

Release type
A release can be set to one of the following release types: Album, Single, EP, Compilation, Soundtrack, Spokenword, Interview, Audiobook, Live, Remix, or Other. See release attribute for a short summary and release type for details.
Release language
The language used in the release title and track titles.
Release status
A release can have one of the following statuses: Official, Promotion, or Bootleg. See release attribute for a short summary and release status for details.