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Catalog > Books > Fiddle Tunes updated May 9, 2008
Titles listed in alphabetical order
The American Fiddle Method (Mel Bay) -- $24.95 (cover)
Includes CD A best seller! Two volumes available.

Volume 1: Beginning Fiddle Tunes and Techniques -- 60 pages. Beneficial for both fiddle students and classical Suzuki violin students, this method encourages creativity by including variations to the tunes and illustrating how they can serve as a basis for improvisation. To assist in the development of ensemble skills, this book includes chords and lyrics, basic music theory, and demonstrations of such skills as backup and lead playing. A CD for listening and play-along captures the excitement of the music and aids instruction.

Volume 2: Intermediate Fiddle Tunes and Techniques -- 64 pages. Designed as a follow-up to Volume 1, Volume 2 addresses such important skills as: 1) expanding a basic repertoire of common intermediate-level tunes, 2) learning to use low first position, 3) mastery of bowing down on the beat and corrective slurring, 4) artistic slurring, 5) understanding basic music theory, and 6) learning double-stop backup combinations. Some students who have studied violin or fiddle music before may be able to skip Volume 1 and start with Volume 2, assuming they are proficient at skills such as proper violin and bow placement and can play a small repertoire of fiddle tunes with good tone and intonation.

Bluegrass Fiddle (Music Sales) -- $17.95 (cover)
By Gene Lowinger. 64 pages. The first complete guide to bluegrass fiddling, covering the fundamentals of musical terminology, right- and left-hand techniques, double stops, slurs and slides. Twenty nine bluegrass and 14 traditional tunes arranged to develop technique and a repertoire.
Ceilidh Collection for Fiddlers (Taigh na Teud) Available in 4 Collections -- Collections 1 and 3 include a 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 Includes CD -- $17.95
By Miles Courtiere. 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.
Fiddler's Fakebook (Music Sales) -- $24.95
By David Brody. 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, The Four Marys, Barbara Allen, Flowers Of The Thorn, Beautiful Brown Eyes, Give Me Your Hand and many more.
Gypsy Violin (Mel Bay) -- $24.95 Includes CD (cover)
A best seller! 132 pages. This book contains practice tips, a helpful glossary, a short essay on the Gypsy touch and a fine assortment of approximately 50 annotated traditional Gypsy tunes from Russia, Romania, Hungary, and Bessarabia. Based on many years of research, travel, and participation in slavas or Gypsy jam sessions, this long-anticipated book makes a significant and colorful contribution to the violin repertoire while providing a thorough grounding in the characteristic elements of the passionate Gypsy style. The CD is a stereo recording of every song in the book at performance tempo with piano accompaniment.
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.

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 Scottish Fiddling (Taigh na Teud) -- $30.23 Includes CD
144 pages. This fascinating fiddle book explains how to play the many regional styles of fiddle music in Scotland today. This is an ideal Scottish Fiddle tutor book for players who want more in depth information on how Scottish tunes are played. A detailed book of Scottish Fiddle styles including the different regional bowing techniques found in Scotland and dance music. Over 220 tunes from the West Coast, East Coast, Orkney, Shetland and the Borders with notes on the traditions in each area. The CD has 68 tracks illustrating the points as they occur and played by fiddlers from each area.
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.

Twenty Irish Fiddle Tunes (Hal Leonard) -- $19.95 Includes CD (cover)
Kevin Burke, one of the true masters of the Irish fiddle, teaches these 20 tunes taken from his vast repertoire of Irish traditional music. He plays each one slowly for novice players, then up to tempo with all the ornaments to give the learning instrumentalist the true feel of the tune.
Rolling in the Ryegrass - The Sligo Maid - The Earl's Chair - The Wind That Shakes the Barley - Down the Broom - The Gatehouse Maid - The Sailor on the Rock - The Humours of Lissadell - The Maid Behind the Bar - The Maids of Mitchelstown - The Stack of Barley - Rise a Mile - Tune from Gurteen - The Scotsman over the Border - Tommy People's Jig - Andy McGann's Jig - Old Man Dillon - Sean Ryan's Jig - A Polka - A Slide
Waltz Books -- by Bill Matthiesen (3 volumes, each sold separately)
Volume 1 -- $12.00
Volume 2 or 3 -- $15.00
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.
You Can Teach Yourself Fiddling (Mel Bay) -- $19.95 Includes CD (cover)
A best seller! Designed for beginning fiddle students, these 36 lessons present basic techniques by applying them to fiddle tunes. Reading music is unnecessary, as the lessons are explained step by step, and fingerings are given for every note. Each version builds on the previous one and helps students to create their own arrangements. Includes a split- track CD. Forty-eight songs from the book are on the CD.