Music periodicals include journals, magazines, and other publications that appear at regular (or sometimes irregular) intervals. Music periodicals cover almost the entire gamut of topics within the field of music, with some being very specialized. Some of the most prominent journals are those published by leading professional organizations such as the American Musicological Society, the Society for Ethnomusicology, the Society for Music Theory, and the Music Library Association. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, accessible through Oxford Music Online, contains a comprehensive list of music periodicals from their early stages through the 20th century. Readers should keep in mind that, like any publications, periodicals have their own specific sets of editorial policies and biases.

Some periodicals are kept on the shelves of the Theodore M. Finney Music Library, but most are now published online. Databases such as J-STOR and Project Muse include significant collections of music periodicals. Online versions of music periodicals can be identified and accessed through PittCat.