All the fiddle tunes on the CD the World's Hottest Fiddlers (C.M.H. Productions 8651; 2002), except one, are transcribed in detail for this book. These fifteen cuts, which include seventeen tunes, incorporate old-time standards such as Sally Ann as played by Kenny Baker, bluegrass standards such as Orange Blossom Special as played by Steve Thomas, Texas swing tunes such as Beaumont Rag as played by Johnny Gimble, and song tunes such as Blue Moon of Kentucky as played by Benny Martin. Other highlights include the complete twin fiddling parts for Benny Martin and Buddy Spicher's Down Yonder, and the twin fiddle parts for Johnny Gimble's Black and White Rag. Eleven other tunes are featured by fiddlers Barbara Lamb, Mike Hartgrove, Glen Duncan, Sonny Mead, Ramona Jones, Paul Warren, and Fiddlin' Red Herron.

This affordable 5 1/2 by 8 QWIKGUIDE offers 43 traditional fiddle solos in standard notation with chord symbols. Selections include: Arkansas Traveler; Back Up and Push; the Blarney Pilgrim; Beaumont Rag; Bill Cheatham; Billy in the Lowground; Blackberry Blossom; Bonaparte's Retreat; Cotton-eyed Joe; Cripple Creek; Down Yonder; Dill Pickle Rag; Drowsy Maggie; Durham's Bull; Eighth of January; Fisher's Hornpipe; Fire on the Mountain; Garry Owen; Haste to the Wedding; Jolie Blond; Maidens Prayer; and more. the attached CD contains performances of all the tunes in the book.Also available in Japanese from ATN, Inc.

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.

Appalachian fiddle music, based on the musical traditions of the people who settled in the mountainous regions of the southeastern United States, is widely-known and played throughout North America and parts of Europe because of its complex rhythms, its catchy melodies, and its often-ancient-sounding stylistic qualities. The authors explore the lives and music of 43 of the classic Appalachian fiddlers who were active during the first half of the 20th century. Some of them were recorded commercially in the 1920s, such as Gid Tanner, Fiddlin’ John Carson, and Charlie Bowman. Some were recorded by folklorists from the Library of Congress, such as William Stepp, Emmett Lundy, and Marion Reece. Others were recorded informally by family members and visitors, such as John Salyer, Emma Lee Dickerson, and Manco Sneed. All of them played throughout most of their lives and influenced the growth and stylistic elements of fiddle music in their regions. Each fiddler has been given a chapter with a biography, several tune transcriptions, and tune histories. To show the richness of the music, the authors make a special effort to show the musical elements in detail, but also acknowledge that nothing can take the place of listening. Many of the classic recordings used in this book can be found on the web, allowing you to hear and read the music together.

Intermediate-level solos based on 68 fiddling favorites of reels, jigs, hornpipes and all styles of barn-dance tunes is not only interesting and fascinating, it is also very beneficial for the development of technique. As technique studies, in their respective grades, these barn-dance tunes are in a class by themselves. Excellent repertoire. Guitar chords included.

In this generous collection, Nova Scotian fiddler Bill Guest presents standard notation of easy to intermediate-level traditional tunes, some of his own more complex original compositions plus works by twenty-one of his Canadian fiddling contemporaries. The collection offers approximately 120 dance tunes including: waltzes, hornpipes, jigs, polkas, two-steps, airs, breakdowns, reels, swing tunes, and a few 4/4 melodies for slow dancers. “The Irish Washerwoman” is presented in 3 versions with different time signatures, and five selections are arranged as duets. The salient feature of this book, however, is the enjoyment and multifaceted musical perspective gained from playing the work of so many fiddlers from across the vast commonwealth of Canada.

Every country in Europe seems to have rediscovered its own vital tradition of fiddle music, except England ... But, English fiddle music forms an important, yet neglected, part of the mosaic of Old and New World fiddle styles.Chris Bartram has played this music for over forty years. He has learned from traditional musicians around his home communities and more widely in other parts of England and in Cornwall. He has studied the majority of the existing field recordings of older generations of players and many of the handwritten manuscripts of nineteenth century fiddlers. 'English Fiddling' contains a wide variety of traditional tunes, an essay about the history of the instrument in England and a number of archive photographs.'English Fiddling' is intended to be a source for people who can already play the fiddle - or violin - at some level. This is not a book for the complete beginner, although a player who can play simple tunes in the first position and who can read music a little will find it helpful and instructive.The companion CD contains a selection of tunes played by Chris and some of his friends.•