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Markelberry
Dec-09-2005, 10:51pm
I was looking on Mikes site the other day and Im sure there was a book suggested that had fiddle tunes suggested by Mike himself,and know I cannot find the info?Does anyone know what Im looking for? All help appreciated.

Markelberry
Dec-10-2005, 7:47am
Does anyone know of a good book of fiddle tunes that also has standard notation as I need to start learning some tunes reading notes not tab. Any suggestions

swampstomper
Dec-10-2005, 9:40am
At Voyager Records (http://www.voyagerrecords.com/books.htm) you will find a nice list of books. I have, and highly recommend, the Mandolin Player's Pastime "A Collection of Reels, Hornpipes, Jigs, and Other Dance Tunes for Mandolin, compiled and arranged by Phil Williams". You can get a companion CD but I don't have this so can't comment. This has both tab and standard notation, in an exceptionally clear and attractive format.

Zed
Dec-10-2005, 9:49am
The Fiddler's Fakebook is all you'll ever need.

Another huge resource is all the Tabledit files here:
http://www.mandozine.com/music/tabledit_search.php
All you need is the free Tefview viewer and you can not only have notation and tab both, you can hear the tune.

Cedartop
Dec-10-2005, 9:53am
I am sure there are many but I have one called, Fiddle Tune Method for Modern Mandolin, by Thoms Ohmson. It has sixteen popular fiddle tunes in both standard and tab.
I believe I purchased it online from Elderly.

Mike S

jmcgann
Dec-10-2005, 10:20am
O'Neill's 1001 Music of Ireland
Cole's 1000 Fiddle Tunes (Celtic and trad. American tunes)- not sure if this is still published, but a great collection

You can also do a net search for ABC format tunes- you use a piece of free software to convert them to standard notation. There's tons of irish tunes available in this format.

If you go to the Mel Bay website you'll find some fidle tune books for fiddle which have no tab.

Word up on the Fiddler's Fakebook-they are often odd composite versions of tunes (A part from one recording, B part from another) which may not be the best way to really learn a tune for the 1st time- i think it's a good source for variations but it may be more effective to learn your first settings of a tune froma single source, and then add on as you feel the need to come up with variations (or to see how other people play the tune).

Zed
Dec-10-2005, 1:54pm
Word up on the Fiddler's Fakebook-they are often odd composite versions of tunes (A part from one recording, B part from another) which may not be the best way to really learn a tune for the 1st time- i think it's a good source for variations but it may be more effective to learn your first settings of a tune froma single source...
No kidding? I've always thought TFFB was pretty close to a standard itself for fiddle tunes. It does contain several versions or variations of many tunes but i was unaware that some of its material is cross-pollinated within tunes.

I'm certainly not refuting your comments, John, you're the man in the know about such matters. I was just honestly surprised to hear that about TFFB.

Celtic Saguaro
Dec-10-2005, 2:12pm
If you can't find Cole's 1000 Fiddle Tunes, a shorter 300 Fiddle Tunes, a selection from the original, is published by Centerstream and is avavilable.

Celtic Saguaro
Dec-10-2005, 2:26pm
Also I agree with John McGann about Fiddler's Fakebook. It's fairly stylistically biased. #It could, indeed, be perfect for some. #I have one. But, I personally, don't use it much. I'd start with something closer to the Irish and British versions of the tunes.

jmcgann
Dec-10-2005, 2:28pm
If we are talking about the same book, it even tells you which recordings which parts are from- sometimes 4 bars from one and four bars from another!

Celtic Saguaro
Dec-10-2005, 2:31pm
Yes, that's it. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Zed
Dec-10-2005, 4:36pm
I guess now that i get to looking at it and thinking about it, it does indeed tell you that. Never paid it much mind, i guess. It sure is a useful reference for me and a great practice tool.

Markelberry
Dec-10-2005, 10:54pm
Thank you all very much for your responses,I think if I get back to learning by reading the notes it will help my knowledge of the fingerboard and timing both.

RobP
Dec-11-2005, 10:26am
Interesting comments on the Fiddler's Fake Book. I have a copy but I haven't delved in too far. I also thought that book was a standard for fiddle tunes.

I second the Mandolin Player's Pastime, referenced above. Very nice collection of tunes.

I also have a book called the Portland Collection, which is a collection of fiddle tunes played at contra dances. There is no tablature, just std notation. Some very nice tunes in there as well. Also has a companion CD.

Cheers,,

Rob

JGWoods
Dec-11-2005, 11:01am
I really like Pete Martin"s (http://www.petimarpress.com/books.html) books- notation on 1 line, tab on the next. All the print is large and easy to see, the tune versions and selection are excellent- intermediate level I would say.

Pete is a cafe member - I guess he doesn't blow his own horn.

I have no financial interest etc.

best
jgwood

Markelberry
Dec-11-2005, 2:14pm
The Fiddler's Fakebook is all you'll ever need.

Another huge resource is all the Tabledit files here:
http://www.mandozine.com/music/tabledit_search.php
All you need is the free Tefview viewer and you can not only have notation and tab both, you can hear the tune.
Ive tried to access this before and being the goofball I am can you tell me how to make it work? thanks in advance.

Troyer
Dec-11-2005, 5:02pm
I'll second Pete Martins material. I have his books and they are very easy to read.

Zed
Dec-11-2005, 6:09pm
Another huge resource is all the Tabledit files here:
http://www.mandozine.com/music/tabledit_search.php
All you need is the free Tefview viewer and you can not only have notation and tab both, you can hear the tune.
Ive tried to access this before and being the goofball I am can you tell me how to make it work? thanks in advance.
Without going into agonizing detail, if your computer is setup to play MIDI files (any newer sound card will have on-board general MIDI sounds), Tefview will be able to play the Tabledit tunes you download. Tefview is free from Here (http://www.tabledit.com/tefview/).

gnelson651
Dec-12-2005, 3:31am
Markelberry:

If you trying to learn to read stanard notation for the first time and learn fiddle tunes at the same time, I suggest the American Fiddle Method series by Brian Wicklund. There are two volumes and Volume I has easy songs to start with fingers markings for #the voilin. These are easily translated to mandolin in that the finger markings are the same as the voilin. The only difference being the mandolin is fretted. There is also a champion CD with each book for following melodies or accompaniment.

I do recommend that as you learn the melodies do not neglect the chords as well. I was in such a rush to learn the melodies that now I am going back to learn the chords when I started playing at oldtime fiddle jams. I wished I had learned the chords at the time I learned the melody.

STAY AWAY FROM TAB TO LEARN STANDARD NOTATION.

I would not use tab as a way to learn standard notation, you defeat the whole purpose of learning standard if you do. Learning standard notation will teach you to recognize the name of the notes as well as the fret position of the notes. There is more than one fret position for most of the notes as you move up the fretboard. Therefore you must be able to identify what note yor are playing on the staff. Tab will only teach you this in first position.


BTW: Both the Fiddlers Fakebook and American Fiddle Method are strictly standard notation (with finger markings in Vol I of AFM)).

hokelore
Dec-12-2005, 7:57am
I'm partial to the Portland Collection; all tried and true dance tunes. Some old, some modern.

I'm another one who dislikes Fiddler's Fakebook. The versions are strange, often unneccessarily notey. Having said that, now and then I find a variant in there that appeals to me. Just not very often.

jasona
Dec-13-2005, 1:51am
What about Ryan's Fiddle Tunes (http://www.elderly.com/books/items/02-95359.htm)? Cole's doesn't show for me even on some of my rare book sites (I'd love a copy of it if I could fin dit).

Winks
Dec-13-2005, 2:11am
Maybe I am preaching to the choir, but have any of you tried this site:

http://www.practicestudio.ca/

It is absolutely fantastic for learning a lot of Old Time / Celtic / Scottish fiddle tunes. Tab and notation as well as accompaniment. And, it's all free.
Winks

David M.
Dec-13-2005, 8:44am
There's a hardback book by Jeff Titon that also contains a CD called something like Kentucky Fiddle Tunes. #Something along those lines. #It's got lots of tunes in standard notation (no tab of course) as well as info on most all great Kentucky fiddlers.

May be a good place to find some neat, obscure archaic tunes. #I have a copy at home and my Library of all places also has a copy. #The tunes on the cd are field recordings made by Bruce Greene and Titon and others and are transcribed in the book, but there are lots more tunes that aren't on the cd.

Pete Martin
Dec-13-2005, 9:49am
Coles Thousand Fiddle Tunes has been re-issued by Mel Bay as "Ryans Mammoth Collection". Best fiddle tune book I've ever seen, great versions!!

Thanks for the nice words on my stuff.

AlanN
Dec-13-2005, 10:15am
Ditto on petimar's books. Some of the tunes are 'bearish', like Semi-Professional Hornpipe. Many good moves and lines over the #dim chord...I like that http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

jasona
Jan-03-2006, 7:55pm
Just got my copy of Ryan's Mammoth...that's a lot of dots for sure! I have O'Neil's on its way too. Should keep me busy for a week or two! ;)

jasona
Jan-10-2006, 3:21pm
O'Neil's arrived today. 1800+ tunes? I think my fiddle tune collection syndrome has been smothered! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif