Cape Breton Tunebooks

100 Original Fiddle Tunes $19.95

Kinnon Beaton

Original tunes from Cape Breton player.

100 Tunes for Piano Accordion $14.95

David DiGiuseppe

Complete with fingering, left-hand notation and chord symbols.

A Fiddle Lesson $29.95

DVD from Natalie MacMaster. Intermediate level. Includes booklet with the tunes.

A'Chording to the Tunes-video $29.95

Tracy Dares

This is the only traditional piano instructional vidoe that I am aware of. It begins with a solo performance by Tracy followed by instruction for piano accompaniment to a jig, a march, a strathspey, and a reel. For the intermediate piano student interested in the Cape Breton accompaniment style, this lesson highlights some of the technical elements of the style and provides the student with a mini-repetoire. Knowledge of chords is essential to use this. Comes with small booklet with the written music and accompaniment suggestions.

Alexander Walker: A Collection of Fiddle Tunes $16.95

Alexander Walker

First issued in 1866, Paul Cranford has acted both as editor and arranger in republishing these tunes, many of which are now popular in the Cape Breton repetoire. According to Paul,"If I felt it was possible to improve a tune I have done so. Some of these new arrangements contain ideas heard from Cape Breton performers, but because I had to make compromises in order to present what I felt was the best from all sources, I take full responsibility for these new arrangements. If a few Walker tunes get back into circulation because ofmy efforts then they will have been worth while."
Clear, easy to read notation, as are all of Paul Cranford's publications which have been re-released and made widely available in the States from Mel Bay.

Brenda Stubbert: The Second Collection $17.95

Brenda Stubbert

While we patiently await the revision of the now out-of-print "Brenda Stubbert's Collection of Fiddle Tunes", we are delighted with a second collection of Brenda's tunes. iIt looks like about half are by Brenda and the other half are either traditional or recent compositions by other modern composers. She now has five CD's; this new book documents many of the tunes found on those recordings and at the same time gives a snapshot of the music currently in her repertoire. For the most part, the tunes are transcribed from the recordings. Chords were arranged with Brenda by my friend and wonderful piano player Melissa Emmons. A really great book! I also have a few of her latest CD "Music All Round" for sale for $12. (I got them to go with the book but they are not packaged together).

Brenda Stubbert's Collection of Fiddle Tunes $19.95

A compilation of traditional and original melodies. Indispensible for the Cape Breton fiddler. And many of her tunes, such as Rannie MacClellen, have crossed over to the general American fiddle repetoire. Newly reprinted with chords. Volume 2 with a completely new selection of tunes is available for the same price.

Heather Hill Collection $17.95

Dan R. MacDonald

Finally back in print! Dan R.'s first collection of original Cape Breton tunes. Many are standards in the repetoire today.

Jerry Holland, The Second Collection $21.95

Jerry Holland

A totally new compilation of traditional and original melodies complete with chords (now that's nice!).

Jerry Holland's Collection of Fiddle Tunes $17.95

Jerry Holland

A compilation of traditional and original melodies. A must-have for any Cape Breton Musician.

Lighthouse Collection of Newly Composed Fiddle Tunes with CD $19.95

by Paul Cranford

Mostly new tunes by Paul Cranford in the Cape Breton tradition, with a smattering of traditional tunes and tunes common in today's repertoire by other Cape Breton fiddlers. Mary Jesse Gillis march is a winner. One of my favorite marches is in this collection- a D tune called Fenella. Truly gorgeous!

Natalie MacMaster's Cape Breton Island Fiddle $14.95

Transcribed by Stacie Phillips

Transcriptions from three of Natalie's albums,"A Compilation," "Fit as a Fiddle," and "No Boundaries." This book works best by far with careful listening to the albums. There are important, but subtle details such as mini-accents, to even violent dynamic swings, explosive bow attacks, and changes in phrasing of what are notated as eighth notes, that have been omitted. If included, the music would be too dense to read with any ease!

Scottish and Cape Breton Fiddle Music in New Hampshire $15.00 with cassette

Harvey Tolman and Jason Little

A republication of a long-out-of print collection from Jason and Cousin Harv.

The Beaton Collection $24.95

Beaton Family

Compositions of three generations of the Beaton Family from Mabou, Cape Breton. Kinnon, Donald Angus and Andrea Beaton between them have made over 600 tunes, all of which are published in this book!

The Cape Breton Collection of Bagpipe Music $18.00

Barry Shears

The Cape Breton Fiddler $17.95

Allister MacGillivray

First published in 1981 and reissued in 1997, this heartwarming collection of biographies of the best 100 Cape Breton fiddlers is a must have for all Cape Breton fiddlers. It has a few tunes and some mention of technique, but the real value of the book is its thoughtful insights into Cape Breton life and culture.

The Cape Breton Fiddler's Collection $19.95

Paul Cranford

The latest additon to Paul Carnford's wonderful collection of Cape Breton tune books. Published as a tribute to the Cape Breton Fiddler's Association, most of the tunes were submitted, suggested or composed by past of present members. Others have been arranged from their repertoires. Just to note-the Cape Breton fiddle tradition is still very much alive and growing both in terms of players and composers and many new tunes are quickly and eagerly accpeted into the traditional repertoire.

The Fiddle Music of Prince Edward Island With CD $29.95

Ed. By Ken Perlman

Celtic and Acadian tunes. Complied by Ken Perlman with the aid of Earth Watch volunteers in the summers of 1991-92. Contains 427 tunes from 90 different fiddlers transcribed and notated for ornamentation. Well over 100 tunes have never before been printed and a like number have appreaed only in private collections. The CD contains these original field recordings. A wonderful and valuable collection!

The Scottish Violinist $22.95

J. Scott Skinner

Reprint of the original compositions of J. Scott Skinner, the finest and best known of all Scottish violinists. Consisting of strathspeys, reels, pibrochs, marches, hornpipes, pastoral airs, violin solos, slow airs, etc., etc., these mostly very difficult tunes form the core of the traditional Scottish repetoire.

The Skye Collection $17.95

Compiled and arranged by Keith, Norman and MacDonald

The first edition of the famous Skye Collection appeared in 1887 and has been out of print for many years; even the second, imcomplete edition has been unavailable for over half a century. The tunes have been reindexed in order to include all the melodies from the two earlier editions. Thanks to Paul Cranford for reproducing this work! Spiral bound for easy use.

The Trip to Windsor Collection $17.95

Dan R. MacDonald

Volume 2 of Cape Breton's beloved DanR (pronounced Dnar), this is imported from Canada. Contains such favorites as Glencoe (Bridge) March and Trip to Windsor. Volume 1, sadly is out of print.

Winston Fitzgerald $16.95

Arranged and edited by Paul Cranford.

Melodies from performances by the legendary Cape Breton Fiddler.