Ryan's Mammoth Collection of Fiddle Tunes


Book Description

This comprehensive book is a facsimile edition of the original collection published in 1883. It has survived over the years because it is one of the richest and most interesting of the 19th century instrumental collections as well as a resource for students of American vernacular music. Examining the cultural exchange between minstrelshow, ethnic music and even classical music influenced some of the genres of what we now call American music. Ryan's Mammoth Collection contains a significant number of reels, jigs, hornpipes, clogs, walk-arounds, essences, strathspeys, highland flings, and contradances that arestill played by both traditional and professional fiddlers. A special section containing historical notes and comments is included




The Phillips Collection of Traditional American Fiddle Tunes Volume 1


Book Description

Meticulously collected from recordings, square and contra dances, fiddle contests, jam sessions and individual fiddlers- this book is meant to provide a snapshot of what American fiddlers were playing and listening to in the latter part of the 20th Century. As the vinyl record format disappears from the marketplace, a great deal of recorded fiddle music will no longer be available. In this book, Stacy Phillips shares the fruits of some timely collecting for all fiddlers to enjoy. Bowings, fingerings, and guitar chords are provided for each melody line.




300 Fiddle Tunes


Book Description

(Fiddle). This comprehensive collection of fabulous fiddle tunes includes reels, hornpipes, strathspeys, jigs, waltzes and slow airs.




The Fiddler's Fakebook


Book Description

From the author’s preface: “This book was conceived four years ago, almost to the day, at a time when I was teaching fiddle and mandolin in New York City. It was my idea then, with my students in mind, to compile a book of the most often played, most important and most interesting fiddle tunes from the various Celtic and North American traditions. The tunes were chosen by cataloging a large number of recordings by tune title. A tally was taken to find out which had been recorded most often. This established a foundation of material that could not be left out. To this list I added the names of other pieces which had not been recorded as frequently, but which I knew were played regularly and with respect. I admit to sprinkling the collection with a few lesser known tunes which happen to be personal favorites, but I am sure they will hold their own when placed next to the old war horses of the fiddler’s repertoire. . . . Although I started out with my students in mind this book has turned out to be the book that I’ve always wanted and I hope that it will serve the advanced player as well as the beginner.”




O'Neill's Music of Ireland


Book Description

A facsimile edition containing the original collection of 1,850 melodies consisting of airs, jigs, reels, hornpipes, marches, and more for fiddle




The Devil's Box


Book Description

The key players and favorite tunes in the commercial emergence of Southern fiddling in the first half of the twentieth century are the focus of this lucid and engaging study. Drawing on such seldom-tapped resources as small regional newspapers, personal correspondence, and rare interviews with the fiddlers themselves as well as their families, Charles Wolfe conjures up vivid portraits of the individuals who fashioned this distinctly American music.




Irish Session Tune Book


Book Description

This book is the ideal primer for anyone wishing to participate in an Irish session. This musical gathering is apparently quite different than a blues, jazz or bluegrass jam session in that it is customary at Irish sessions to play in tight unison with the other musicians, adapting appropriate tempos, rhythms, and ornaments in an attempt to fit in with the groove. the Irish Session Tune Book features 300 reels, hornpipes, polkas, slides, and slip-jigs written without chord symbols for the melody instruments commonly played in Irish Sessions. the author shares a wealth of melodies collected over the past 10 years, the majority learned by ear at Irish sessions: fiddle, accordion, tinwhistle, tenor banjo, mandolin, bouzouki, etc. Authentic ornamentation is suggested for each tune with the admonition that ornamentation may vary from region to region and chorus to chorus.




Ozarks Fiddle Music


Book Description

This book, which includes 308 tune transcriptions, is organized around individual fiddlers who typically combine Appalachian-style fiddling with rags, pop standards, Midwest-style fiddling and sometimes a touch of Western swing to create a style often identifiable as Ozarks. Thirty Ozarks fiddlers and their lives are highlighted with biographical sketches, photographs, and tune histories. Another 50 great Ozarks fiddlers are presented in a similar manner but with less detail. the book and accompanying CD (with 37 tunes, many recorded in the field) emphasize the older fiddling traditions connected to the square dances and community events more than those connected to bluegrass music and modern contest fiddling. Some of the tunes in the collection are old standbys such as Bile Them Cabbage while others such as Finley Creek Blues are unique to the region.The book is the result of years of work by two respected researchers. Gordon McCann won the prestigious Missouri Arts Award in 2002 for his decades of work documenting, studying, and accompanying Ozarks fiddle music. Drew Beisswenger, a music librarian at Missouri State University with a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology, has published three other works about fiddle music and is known for his strong transcription and analysis skills.




Hill Country Tunes


Book Description




New England Fiddler's Repertoire


Book Description

A music source book of melodies used for contra dancing, which is a traditional New England folk dance form. 168 tunes are included in clear musical notation with accompaniment chords added. Fully indexed and cross-referenced; arranged alphabetically. Illustrated throughout with wood engravings by Randy Miller.