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.

This meticulously researched anthology presents detailed biographies and transcriptions, including bowing, ornamentation, and accentuation of 39 fiddle tunes as played by 25 Newfoundland fiddlers from locations throughout the island. For unparalleled authenticity, the author’s live field recordings of each tune are available online, offering a unique perspective of the various types of tunes and techniques favoured by past and present Newfoundland fiddlers. Newfoundland, a former British colony, possesses a rich and varied cultural heritage due to its history of unique settlement patterns. Beginning in the 16th century, European migrants from Ireland, Scotland, West-Country England, and France settled on the island, bringing with them their various cultural practices, including their fiddles! This collection provides insight to the backgrounds, geographical locations, and musical preferences of the individual players, and how music-making and the role and status of Newfoundland fiddlers have evolved over time. The tunes included here vary from original compositions and revival collectors’ treasures, to reinterpreted versions of timeless Irish, Scottish, and French tunes. Together, they form a part of the modern-day Newfoundland fiddling tradition. This book will delight fiddle players and any musician who wishes to further enhance their repertoire and technique, or simply learn more about the island of Newfoundland and its music. Includes access to online audio.

This is a collection of 62 original waltzes and airs by Jay Ungar & Molly Mason including their classics: "Ashokan Farewell," "The Lovers' Waltz," "The Snowstorm," "Love of My Life" and many more. Jay & Molly live in New York's Catskill Mountains where they run the legendary Ashokan Music & Dance Camps. Highly influenced by music taught at Ashokan, their infectiously playable original tunes reflect a wide variety of styles and moods from Western waltzes, to French Musettes, to Celtic airs, to Scandinavian and Eastern European sounding melodies. Each tune is complete with chord symbols, a descriptive paragraph, and several include illustrative photos.

North American Fiddle Music: A Research and Information Guide is the first large-scale annotated bibliography and research guide on the fiddle traditions of the United States and Canada. These countries, both of which have large immigrant populations as well as Native populations, have maintained fiddle traditions that, while sometimes faithful to old-world or Native styles, often feature blended elements from various traditions. Therefore, researchers of the fiddle traditions in these two countries can not only explore elements of fiddling practices drawn from various regions of the world, but also look at how different fiddle traditions can interact and change. In addition to including short essays and listings of resources about the full range of fiddle traditions in those two countries, it also discusses selected resources about fiddle traditions in other countries that have influenced the traditions in the United States and Canada.

An extensive collection of personal interviews, oral histories, home recordings, collected books and hand-written manuscripts reflecting the rich French-American fiddle tradition that flourished around New England urban and metro area in the mid-20th century.

At last the excitement of traditional folk fiddling can be experienced by your entire string orchestra! Written by two renowned educators, this fun and motivating collection of 16 cross-cultural fiddle tunes is presented in a unique format that makes it perfect for players of any level or age. Each tune includes a solo version, followed by a 3-part arrangement" for group performance. Chord symbols, for improvisation of additional instruments (guitar, mandolin, etc.) are also included."

Can you feel nostalgic for a life you've never known? Suffused with her much-loved warmth and wit, Emma John's memoir follows her moving and memorable journey to master one of the hardest musical styles on earth - and to find her place in an alien world. Emma had fallen out of love with her violin when a chance trip to the American South introduced her to bluegrass music. Classically trained, highly strung and wedded to London life, Emma was about as country as a gin martini. So why did it feel like a homecoming? Answering that question takes Emma deep into the Appalachian mountains, where she uncovers a hidden culture that confounds every expectation - and learns some emotional truths of her own.