In my case physical storage is something entirely different than cataloging on paper.
On paper it's really simple: 3 different lists for classical, jazz and rock/pop, each alphabetically ordered by name of composer (in classical) or artist.
Physically, it's more complicated and intuitive, guided by different types of associations (stylistic connections, label mates, artists that worked together or influenced each other, share the same producer, etc.)
In classical, it is by label and within each label by conductor. So e.g. all decca SXL's together and within this all Ansermets together, ranked chronologically (early 2000 series first, later 6000 series titles later).
In jazz it's also by label and than within each label arranged by associated artists. So e.g all blue notes together and within that group the Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and Anthony Williams titles side by side. Why? They were at that time all members of the Miles Davis Quintet. Of course (?) the records under Davis' name are elsewhere on the Columbia shelve.
In rock it is again mostly arranged by label and/or association. So e.g after Roxy Music (island label) comes Brian Eno (island and polydor/eg), then Cluster (first on Brain, then on Sky), Kraftwerk, Neu!, Can and other Kraut bands. Then it suddenly jumps to UK punk and wave, which was strongly influenced by krautrock.
So it's sort of a quilt with some unusual patterns and I don't suppose anybody outside myself could ever find his/her way through this (I know my wife doesn't). For really massive collections this 'system' probably wouldn't work, but for my ca. 4000 lp's it never fails.
On paper it's really simple: 3 different lists for classical, jazz and rock/pop, each alphabetically ordered by name of composer (in classical) or artist.
Physically, it's more complicated and intuitive, guided by different types of associations (stylistic connections, label mates, artists that worked together or influenced each other, share the same producer, etc.)
In classical, it is by label and within each label by conductor. So e.g. all decca SXL's together and within this all Ansermets together, ranked chronologically (early 2000 series first, later 6000 series titles later).
In jazz it's also by label and than within each label arranged by associated artists. So e.g all blue notes together and within that group the Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and Anthony Williams titles side by side. Why? They were at that time all members of the Miles Davis Quintet. Of course (?) the records under Davis' name are elsewhere on the Columbia shelve.
In rock it is again mostly arranged by label and/or association. So e.g after Roxy Music (island label) comes Brian Eno (island and polydor/eg), then Cluster (first on Brain, then on Sky), Kraftwerk, Neu!, Can and other Kraut bands. Then it suddenly jumps to UK punk and wave, which was strongly influenced by krautrock.
So it's sort of a quilt with some unusual patterns and I don't suppose anybody outside myself could ever find his/her way through this (I know my wife doesn't). For really massive collections this 'system' probably wouldn't work, but for my ca. 4000 lp's it never fails.