Subseries 1. Compositions, Transcriptions, and Notes, 193?-1987, undated

Lyrics and musical transcriptions, notes, and a published music book. The subseries includes early songs by Paredes, probably composed 1933-1950, and musical transcriptions he made of them later. Notes, cards, and notebooks record Paredes' repertory and practicing habits at various intervals, 1940-1982. A few manuscript materials relate to his musical education and to the Paredes Collection of Border songs he gathered in 1954. A book of Mexican folk music (1966) to which Paredes wrote the introduction is included.

Paredes filed one collection of his early song lyrics with his poetry in Series II, Subseries 1 (Literary Productions). Written music created in the course of his project with Tish Hinojosa is in Series III, Subseries 5 (Texas Folklife Resources).