Beautiful American Airs & Ballads is a collection of 23 traditional American melodies that are particularly suited to being played on the fiddle. These are heartfelt tunes from the Revolutionary War and the Civil War eras along with Appalachian love songs and gems from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The arrangements include stylistic “fiddle” phrasing and variations. Each of the tunes includes the fiddle melody with guitar accompaniment. Includes access to online audio.

This solo collection presents 19 iconic melodies from the American traditional song book plus 6 modern original compositions by William Bay, president of Mel Bay Publications; all selections have been arranged in tablature for the 5-string banjo in gDGBD tuning by Catalonian multi-instrumentalist and bluegrass specialist, Lluís Gómez. Any collection of American ballads would be incomplete without settings of the beautiful melodies penned by Stephen Foster, several of which appear here including Beautiful Dreamer, Darling Nellie Gray, I Dream of Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair, and Hard Times, Come Again No More. Some of these tunes are arranged in uncommon banjo keys, all without retuning the banjo or using a capo. These keys may be challenging at first but will teach you a lot about the banjo fretboard. The author’s generous preface offers tips on practice, performance and interpretation rarely found in tablature collections such as these, but this book has it all, including online recordings of each arrangement.

Renowned harpist, arranger and instructor, Kim Robertson has created this diverse collection of 25 engaging American melodies for solo folk harp. The selections include traditional Appalachian, patriotic, and cowboy ballads plus lyrical melodies by American composer, Stephen Foster. With the long sustain and resonance of the harp, playing these melodies can serve as a bridge between generations of listeners, young and old.The arrangements are easy to intermediate in difficulty with chord symbols included for optional accompaniment. The grand staff notation is intended for lever harps with up to 36 strings. The key signatures contain up to two sharps or one flat with a few simple lever changes. These arrangements can be simplified or embellished as desired without changing their inherent peaceful and nostalgic effect.

Among the various instruments for which the Beautiful American Airs and Ballads series was conceived, the diatonic harmonica is a standout. With or without the “bends” played by the author on the companion online recording, the 19 plaintive, single-note melodies in this book are guaranteed to engage the player and move the listener. The music herein is written in standard notation and blow/draw harmonica tablature for the diatonic harmonica in C. Suggested accompaniment chords are also provided. Using the tablature alone, this music can be played on any diatonic harmonica in a different harmonica key; for example, using a G or A diatonic harmonica, the instrument itself will make the mechanical transposition. The chords, however, would have to be transposed by the accompanist. Phil Duncan has written more than 40 harmonica books for Mel Bay Publications. He believes that participation is key to the enjoyment of music, and that the harmonica and tunes in this collection are the perfect vehicles for that participation. “Tunes like these may have been overlooked or forgotten in this stressful world—but playing them will help you regain and renew the sense of calm essential to our identity as Americans… Pick out a few…pick up your harmonica and enjoy!” —Phil Duncan

This collection of 41 timeless melodies is tastefully arranged for soprano and tenor recorders with suggested breath marks and accompaniment chords. Selections include a variety of influences which provide a historical and aesthetic view of the American musical landscape. The works of both well-known, classically trained composers and unknown folk artists are featured in standard notation arrangements suitable for performance by intermediate players. The one thing these tunes have in common is their striking melodies, which in many cases have endured throughout the ages.

26 historic and well-loved American melodies arranged for intermediate and advanced mandolinists. These beautiful airs and ballads in many different major and minor keys have been taught and performed since the very beginnings of the American experience, expressing good times and bad, joy, sorrow, and everything in between. The printed music includes standard notation, accompaniment chords, and tablature. The arrangements use several different playing techniques including double stops, crosspicking, chord melody, up-and-down eighth note picking, and tremolo. Includes access to online audio.

This is a collection of 25 lyrical North American melodies scored for guitar solo. Some of the solos have historical themes and some are from the turbulent Civil War era. Any collection of American ballads would be incomplete without some settings on the beautiful melodies penned by Stephen Foster. A number of those are included herein as guitar solos. All solos are presented in standard notation and tablature. Includes access to online audio.