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Catalog > Books > Fiddle Tunes updated October 1, 2008

Tunebooks | Fiddle Methods, Technique and Style

Titles listed in alphabetical order

100 Irish Session Tunes Collections -- $15.45 Choose volume:
By Dave Mallinson. Expand your Irish session repertoire with this handsome selection of popular Irish traditional dance tunes. Learn these 'session friendly' settings as written and you can be confident of having accurate versions. The music here is suitable for all melody instruments and includes chord symbols.
100 Irish Session Tunes Collection CDs -- $16.45
These are the companion CDs to the books listed above.
100 Vital Irish Session Tunes by Dave Mallinson -- $21.00
44 pages. These tunes form the very cornerstone of Irish music sessions. They crop up with such regularity that it's vital that you are able to play them. Every type of dance tune is represented: reels, jigs, hornpipes, polkas, slides, slip jigs, marches, set dances, waltzes, mazurkas, flings, a varsovienne, a barn dance, a single reel and a single jig. Session friendly settings: Learn them as written and you can be sure of having accurate versions. To help those whose music reading skills only extends as far as finding the notes.
110 Best Scottish Tunes by John Canning -- $36.95
48 page book with 2 CDs. Scottish tunes including reels, jigs, strathspeys and classic Scottish airs. Suitable for all melody instruments. Includes a superb 2-CD set learning tool, featuring all the tunes from the book. The tunes are individually tracked for instant access
50 Tunes for Fiddle, Volume 1 by Mark Geslison -- $29.95
144-page book with 3 CDs. Part of a 5-book series. The 50 Tunes series is a collection of Bluegrass, Old Time and Celtic tunes for ensembles, families and individuals. This book contains the same 50 tunes as those found in the other 4 books of the series, but carefully designed for the fiddle. The parts in this book range from beginner to advanced. All tunes contain a simple melody and most of the tunes contain an intermediate or advanced part. Many tunes contain a harmony part to match the melody. Since fiddle contests are a tradition in American and Celtic fiddling, this volume contains hoedowns, waltzes, reels, rags, hornpipes, jigs, polkas and airs. Some of the tunes are authentic to true championship fiddling and were arranged and recorded by a former national champion fiddler. Companion CDs included.
Airs for Pairs by Matt Seattle -- $15.00
20 pages. This book contains twenty-one of the most popular traditional melodies, both dance tunes and song airs, from around Britain and Ireland. Each tune is arranged with a harmony part for a second melody instrument as well as an optional chord accompaniment for guitar, piano etc. In all cases but one (College Hornpipe) the harmony does not descend below middle C, so that the arrangements can be played by almost all melody instruments including recorders.
Band Swing by Pete Mac -- $17.45
48 pages. Edited by piano accordion player Pete Mac, Band Swing is an indispensible source book for musicians playing in folk dance bands, who need suitable, playable tunes which work well together. The tunes have been written out in a straight forward way with chord symbols included. On pages labelled as Reels, Polkas, Jigs, Hornpipes or Waltzes, individual tunes can be played from top to bottom as a sequence of similar tunes. In the Specials section, if more than one tune is shown for a dance, the tunes have been specially chosen to be played in a sequence. Special care has been given to making these arrangements easy to call and dance to. Some of the tunes in this book have easier arrangements printed on the opposite page, these make it easier for less experienced musicians to contribute to the sound of the band and to play at normal band tempo.
Ceilidh Collection for Fiddlers (Taigh na Teud) 4 Collections -- Collections 1 and 3 include CD
-- $21.25
-- $12.27
These are some of the best selling books of traditional tunes in Scotland today. A great resource for those wanting to learn more about Scottish music and dance and used by many fiddle groups, accordionists, school groups, fiddle orchestras and bands wanting simple but fun Scottish music for solos, ceilidh dancing, mods etc. The music is well laid out in sets ideal for dancing popular Scottish dances.
Ceol na Fidhle: The Fiddle Music of the Scottish Highlands (Taigh na Teud)
Available in 3 versions: Vol. 1 & 2 combined, Vol. 3 & 4 combined, Vol. 5 & 6 combined
-- $21.34
Many of the pipe marches, reels and jigs included in this collection were composed by pipers attached to the Highland Regiments in the army but some are much older and date from the 18th and 19th centuries. Famous bagpipe composers such as Donald MacLeod, George MacLennan, Peter R. MacLeod, Willie Lawrie and many more are represented in these volumes as well as contemporary tunes by present day pipers, fiddlers and accordionists (Bobby Macleod, Freeland Barbour, Addie Harper etc) who are all producing tunes in Highland bagpipe style.
The Craig Duncan Master Fiddle Solos Collection (Mel Bay) -- $19.95 (cover)
Presents 144 of the most frequently played tunes in old time fiddle contests as well as the most popular bluegrass, square dance and country tunes heard throughout the United States. The performance length arrangements of contest tunes include standard as well as challenging variations on hoe-downs, rags, polkas, show pieces, and waltzes complete with suggested accompaniment chords. This encyclopedia of fiddle tunes and variations spotlights American popular fiddle music as played by the great fiddlers of our time.
Celtic Music For Fiddle by Miles Courtiere -- $17.95 Includes CD
Features 35 Celtic pieces from various parts of the "Celtic world." All of the pieces are dance music, jigs, reels, slides, hornpipes etc. All of the pieces were originally played on the fiddle. Chords for an accompanying instrument have been added where ever possible, however, originally these melodies were accompanied by primarily rhythm and percussion instruments. If other melodic instruments were played they would either have played the same line in a different register or would have played a harmony part, i.e., the exact third a line above.
The Crossroads Dance and Through the Half-Door: A Collection of Traditional Irish Dance and Session Tunes by David J. Taylor -- $14.45
Two titles, 52 pages each. These books contain Irish traditional dance and session tunes transcribed from albums by premier Irish ceili band, Shaskeen. Along with arrangements which are suitable for most melody instruments, there are chord symbols for guitarists, pianists, or accordionists plus photographs, copious notes and cross- references, which go a long way to filling in the background to the tunes, encouraging the musician to look further. The tunes are those currently being played in Irish sessions, which was the inspiration for producing them. The music is in sensible keys, usefully and legibly laid out, accurately notated, and easy to read.
Danse Ce Soir! Fiddle and Accordion Music of Quebec -- $29.95 (optional CD)
192 pages. This book is a collection of 122 traditional and composed tunes by a wide variety of quebecois players and composers, the broadest and most informative collection of quebecois repertoire available to date.

The text, in both French and English, gives extensive background information about the repertoire and history of instrumental dance music in Quebec, an analysis of the fiddle, accordion, guitar and piano style, and biographies of the musicians.

Historical stylistic and discographic information is offered for all of the tunes, which have been carefully transcribed complete with ornaments and guitar/piano chords. The book includes maps, photos, a bibliography, indexes, list of organizations, festivals and music camps, and an extensive discussion of piano accompaniment, including three full piano transcriptions.

Appropriate for the beginner or accomplished player on any instrument, for the folklorist and musicologist, and for the listener or dancer who wants to learn more about the beautiful and varied traditional music of Quebec. The companion CD offers ensemble renditions of 32 tunes from the book, for a total of 60 minutes.

English Country Dance Tunes by Dave Mallinson -- $17.00
32 pages. These 101 tunes are suitable for every instrument associated with traditional music, and only 14 notes are required to play them all. They are eminently suitable for playing at country dances, ceilidhs, barn dances and hoe-downs and most have been recorded by notable bands and personalities. After selecting all the common tunes that have their own dance, the emphasis was on choosing a varied selection of genres, time signatures and tune lengths required for a good night's dancing. You'll find Scottish, English, Irish, Welsh and American tunes; there's reels, polkas, hornpipes, single jigs, double jigs, slip jigs and waltzes; also 48 bar tunes and Playford dances for good measure. Ideal for all traditional musicians.
Fiddler's Fakebook (Music Sales) by David Brody -- $24.95
304 pages. Contains nearly 500 jigs, reels, rags, and hornpipes from all the major fiddling traditions. Special introductory materials on regional styles, bowing, and ornamentation. Includes an extensive discography.
Folk And Country Waltzes For Fiddle Includes CD -- $19.95
There are 50 well-known waltzes fully notated in the book and played on the CD with a full backing band. (play-a-long tracks including melody line played by another instrument). These pieces are all easy to learn. If you do not read music well (or at all) you can pick up the melody from the CD. The book can be used to build a repertoire of waltz music. At live engagements, especially weddings, the audience will always ask for a few waltzes. The material in this book covers a wide range of tempos and styles, not just slow waltzes.

Many very well known tunes: Daisy, Home On The Range, Anniversary Waltz, After The Ball, Ash Grove, Greensleeves, Laredo, Scarborough Fair, Star Of The County Down, The Black Velvet Band, The Greenwood Tree, Southwind, Barbara Allen, Give Me Your Hand and many more.

Matt Cunningham's Dance Music of Ireland -- $18.45
64 pages. Matt Cunningham is internationally recognized as one of Ireland's finest exponents of Irish traditional music today. His recordings, The Dance Music of Ireland series, are an extensive and invaluable resource for dancers. This book offers the reader the chance to become more intimate with the dance tunes. No less than 298 Irish dance tunes have been transcribed exactly from the recordings and have had chords added so that an accompanist can easily join in with the melody player. Reels, jigs, polkas, hornpipes, marches and waltzes all abound here.
New England Fiddler's Repertoire -- $20.00
The classic collection of 168 traditional Northern contra dance tunes. Treble clef notation, no chords. Spiral bound, small enough to carry in your fiddle case.

Nick Barber's English Choice -- $17.45
44 pages. Nick Barber has been part of traditional English music sessions up and down the country for many years. His copious notes have resulted in this tune book suitable for any melody instrument (fiddle, accordion, tinwhistle, recorder, etc.). The tunes are accurately transcribed, referring to original sources wherever possible. Also included is information about each tune, with Nick's choice of chords suitable for squeezebox and guitar players alike. If you'd like to join in with the delights of sharing tunes with others in an English session, this book is a good reference point. Every tune is a gem, tried and tested by generations of players who have made the tunes what they are today.

Phillips Collection of Traditional American Fiddle Tunes, Volume 1 -- $29.95
Hoedowns, breakdowns and reels. 267 pages, 8-3/4-inch x 11-3/4-inch format. Standard treble notation, chord symbols. Tunes are listed in the book in alphabetical order. Introduction, brief notes on the tunes, index of titles, list of alternate tune titles. Also lists the tunes in Volume 2, and titles of other fiddle tune books.

Traditional Tunes for Two Fiddlers (Taigh na Teud) -- $10.67

Book 1 -- 33 favourite two part arrangements from keyboard, fiddle and accordion players. These arrangements have been produced for the various fiddle groups and classes and for friends playing together by Inverness Fiddlers Society, Paddy Shaw, Anne Hughes, Jean Ann Callender & Christine Martin. Many popular tunes from the Scottish tradition and even a few Scandinavian tunes that have become popular here. Most of the second parts are easy, some are very easy and there are even some third fiddle parts for some of the tunes. Where possible similar types of tunes have been placed together to make sets. Suitable for all lead instruments and chords are included for accompanists. A great collection to try out with friends or fiddle groups.

Book 2 -- Includes Margarets Waltz, 79ths Farewell to Gibralter, Cameron Highlanders, Hakkis Polka, High Road to Linton and 25 more great tunes with harmony parts to play with family and friends. Great selection of marches, jigs and airs by various arrangers. Bowings and chords included.

Waltz Books (3 volumes, each sold separately) -- $15.00
By Bill Matthiesen. Traditional and original waltzes for contra, English country dance or vintage dancers from a variety of traditions. Spiral bound, small enough to carry in your fiddle case! Treble staff notation and chord symbols. Notes on the tunes. Beginner to intermediate.