The Great Northern Tune Book

William Vickers’ Collection of Dance Tunes AD 1770 – Edited by Matt Seattle

William Vickers’ tune book is one of the largest and most interesting English fiddle manuscripts. Compiled in 1770, probably in Newcastle upon Tyne, it contains a surprising variety of tunes and gives us an intriguing window on an individual fiddler’s world.

• Jigs, reels, rants, common-time and triple-time hornpipes

• Local fiddle and pipe tunes

• Tunes from other parts of England, Scotland and even France

• Obscure but high quality tunes along with old favourites

• The earliest appearance of some traditional classics

A long-awaited new edition, completely re-edited and in one volume – 580 tunes. An essential resource for every player and student of traditional music, whether serious or, in Vickers’ words, ‘half witted, merry and mad’.

Published EFDSS 2008 In association with the Northumbrian Pipers’ Society