Books

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OLD-TIME FIDDLE STYLE BOOK/CD SET
A Collection of 35 Traditional Appalachian Tunes
Publisher: Mel Bay Publications, Inc.
Date Published: 6/24/2010

This book presents transcriptions with detailed bowings in tandem with three recorded versions of 35 Appalachian fiddle tunes ranging from some very common and easy tunes (for more beginning players) but also quite a few less typically played tunes. All transcriptions are based on "festival" versions of the tunes, meaning the versions are those most commonly encountered at jams and festivals. The book includes a clearly written description of old-time style focusing on "default" bowing systems designed to develop rhythmic bowing. Ideas presented include Nashville shuffle, 3-1 bowing, bow rocking, ghost bows, anticipations, left-hand ornamentation, drones, chording, dissonances, altered tunings, the concept of swing, tips on learning by ear and more.

The tunes are played three times each for nearly 150 minutes of recording: (1.) very slowly and simply; (2.) at a modest tempo and but with double-stops, drones and other ornaments; and (3.) up-to-tempo. While this effort was designed for fiddlers, the recordings should serve as an excellent source for non-fiddlers at all levels who desire to build their repertoire and practice learning tunes by ear. The book and accompanying MP3 disc are appropriate for any level of player. The difficulty of the tunes ranges from simple to relatively complex. Similarly, the bowing techniques include the simplest ideas to relatively difficult. The three recorded speeds make the learning and processing of the tunes appropriate for all levels of players wishing to improve their ear training.

  • Simple and highly accessible transcriptions with detailed bowings of 35 "festival" versions of Appalachian fiddle tunes
  • All tunes are recorded three times to accommodate players at all levels of experience
  • Includes comprehensive and practical discussion of old-time bowings and style and how to learn by ear
  • Strong focus on developing "default" bowings to get the characteristic groove of old-time
  • Designed for all levels of players and non-fiddlers who desire to improve their learning by ear and/or increase their repertoire
    Price: $22.99

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    TRADITIONAL MUSIC FROM IRELAND, SCOTLAND, QUEBEC AND BEYOND: Tunes from Roof for the Rain and Greenfire, Ken Kolodner and Laura Risk, 2003.

    This book contains easy-to-read transcriptions in treble clef of all the tunes as played in the Roof for the Rain and Greenfire recordings. It is appropriate for any instrument.
    Price: $18.00

    WALKING STONES: A Celtic Sojourn,
    Ken Kolodner, Catalogue #MB97348, Pacific, MO:
    MEL BAY PUBLICATIONS, in press, 2000 (1-800-8MELBAY).

    This book contains easy-to-read transcriptions in treble clef of all the tunes chord symbols as played in the recording. It is appropriate for any instrument.
    Price: $9.00

    HELICON: The International Acoustic Tune Book
    Helicon, Catalogue #MB95505, Pacific, MO
    MEL BAY PUBLICATIONS, 1995 (1-800-8MELBAY).

    This book contains easy-to-read transciptions mostly in treble clef with chord symbols for much hard to find music. All the music from the recordings The Titan and Horizons are contained in this book as well many selections from other Helicon's recordings. Many of the tunes from the Winter Solstice CD are transcribed in the book as well. There are also many gems that were never recorded by Helicon. Music from about 30 countries are contained in this collection. Please excuse the silly looking ties!!!
    Price: $15.00

    2000 HAMMERED DULCIMER
    Catalogue #MB98375BCD, Pacific, MO
    MEL BAY PUBLICATIONS, in press, 2000 (1-800-8MELBAY).

    This is a collection of detailed transcriptions from some of the best-known players from the U.S. A CD of nearly all of the selections is included with the book.
    Price: $25.00

    "A COMMUNITY, NOT A TRADITION:" THE HAMMERED DULCIMER WORLD OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES

    This book was written in 2005 by ethnomusicologist Deborah Justice. Her work offers a very interesting and thorough description of the "revival" of the hammered dulcimer, focusing chronologically on the last 30-40 years and geographially on the Eastern United States. Through extensive interviewing, fieldwork, and use of source material, Deb has put together a book that is both scholarly sound and enjoyable to read. (Includes a CD to demonstrate various ideas.) Currently working on her doctorate in ethnomusicology at Indiana University, Deb is also an accomplished hammered dulcimer player. She has just released her first CD called "The Preacher's Daughters" with hammered dulcimer player Rachel Sprinkle.
    Price: $20.00