Sources of Historical and Traditional Tunes to Arrange Yourself

Mary Anne Alburger. Scottish Fiddlers and Their Music (1996). [see citation in History and Biography]

Heather Allen, editor. The Mackintosh Collections (2002). Highland Music Trust, Dingwall Printers, Ltd., Inverness, Scotland. New one-volume edition of 357 tunes collected or composed by Robert MacKintosh of Tulliemet (ca.1745 -1807). Originally published in four volumes. MacKintosh is known for his outstanding reels, strathspeys and jigs.

Ethel Bassin. The Old Songs of Skye: Frances Tolmie and Her Circle (1977). [see citation in History and Biography]

David Buchan, editor. A Scottish Ballad Book (1973). [see citation in History and Biography]

Richard Carlin, compiler and editor. The Gow Collection of Scottish Dance Music (1986). Oak Publications, New York, USA. Contains 598 fiddle tunes highlighting the life and musical works of Niel Gow (1727-1807) and his sons, particularly Nathaniel, whose folios were the source for this collection. Focuses on strathspey, reels, and jigs, with many airs, quicksteps, marches, and other types of tunes. Many are suitable for adaptation to the harp. An important feature of the book is the inclusion of preselected medleys that would have been played at country balls of the day.

Comunn Gaidhealach Leódhais (Lewis Gaelic Association), collecting and editing organization. Eilean Fraoich: Lewis Gaelic Songs and Melodies (1982). [see citation in History and Biography]

Adam Craig. Adam Craig Collection: A Collection of the Choicest Scots Tunes, Adapted for the Harpsichord or Spinnet, &c. (1730). Facsimile edition available from Fiddler’s Crossing www.fiddlerscrossing.com. Dedication page reads, "The following Collection being the first of the kind, and the Native and Genuine Product of the Country..." Contains 23 tunes.

William Dauney. Ancient Scottish Melodies, from a Manuscript of the Reign of King James VI. Subtitle: With an introductory inquiry illustrative of the history of the music of Scotland. (1973). [see citation in History and Biography]

Cedric Thorpe Davie and George C. McVicar, editors. The Saltire Scottish Song Book (1991). Hyperion Books, The Hardie Press, Edinburgh, Scotland. New edition of The Oxford Scottish Song Book: Sixty Songs for Unison of Solo Singing with the Piano (1969), originally published by Oxford University Press, London. Songs by Robert Burns, James Hogg (who collected the Jacobite songs), and others, including anonymous songs. Includes and index showing the suitability of each song for solo use, by men or women, or for school class work.

James C. Dick. The Songs of Robert Burns and Notes on Scottish Songs by Burns (1962). [see citation in History and Biography]

Daniel Dow. A Collection of Ancient Scots Music for the Violin, Harpsichord, or German Flute never before printed. (ca 1775), Edinburgh, Scotland. A rare early work available in some libraries. Several tunes in this work are ascribed to Rori Dall, and there are several more which Irish works attribute to Rory Dall O'Cahan. Includes "Cumha Peathar Ruairi (Lament for Rory's Sister)," which was later published by Captain Francis O'Neill in The Music of Ireland (1903) under the title Rory Dall's Sister's Lament.

Kenneth Elliott, editor and arranger. Sixteenth-Century Scots Songs for Voice and Lute (ca. 1999). Musica Scotica, Glascow Music Center. First in a planned series of books that will restore early Scots songs in their proper tradition. Such songs have been rescued from the weak derivatives found in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century arrangements.

Donald A. Fergusson, editor. From the Farthest Hebrides (1978). [see citation in History and Biography]

Eilean Fraoich, collector and editor. Lewis Gaelic Songs and Melodies (1982). [see citation in History and Biography]

Angus Fraser, compiler. The Angus Fraser Collection of Scottish Gaelic Airs (1996). Taigh na Teud, Isle of Skye, Scotland. Angus was the son of Simon Fraser and continued work on his father’s collection of tunes until his death in 1874. They were unpublished until 1996. Melodic lines to 245 tunes are given, including possibly the only old Scottish harp tunes ever recovered. Some variations after the piobaireachd style are included: "Caoineadh Rioghail (The Royal Lament), "Failte na cuthaig (A Hail to the Cuckoo)," "Feasgair Luain (On a Monday Evening, air of an Ossian hymn)," and "Piobaireachd Loch-Lagan (The Loch Laggan Pipe Lament)." The Royal Lament theme and third variation were adapted and published for harp by Alison Kinnaird in The Harp Key. Kinnaird has done her own variations on "Craobh nan teud (The Tree of Strings)" under the title "Cumha Crann nan Teud (The Lament for the Harp Key)" published in The Harp Key. Sileas recorded the tune "Easbuig Earra-ghàidheal (Lament for the Bishop of Argyle)" from Fraser by the title "Cumba Easbuig Earraghaidheal" on Scottish Harps (Greentrax) with their own variations for wire-strung and gut-strung harp duo. Bonnie Rideout recorded her own fiddle composition in the piobaireachd style entitled "Kindred Spirits" on her CD by that name. She used a tune from the Fraser collection. ***Editor’s Choice

Captain Simon Fraser, compiler. The Airs and Melodies Peculiar to the Highlands of Scotland and the Isles (2002). Scott’s Highland Services Ltd., London, Ontario. Distributed by Mel Bay Publications. Facsimile edition of the 1874 revised edition, containing an introduction and additions made in that year. Originally published in Edinburgh, 1816. 241 tunes with melody and bass lines, including a few from the old Gaelic harp repertory. Most are melody only. A downloadable facsimile edition is also available online from www.highlandbagpipe.com/.

John Glen, compiler, Duncan Dyker, editor. The Glen Collection of Scottish Dance Music: the Music and Text of the 1891 and 1895 Publications (2001). Highland Music Trust, Dingwall Printers, Ltd., Inverness, Scotland. Reprint of the authoritative Glen Collection of Scottish Dance Music first published in 1891 and 1895 in two volumes. Includes the 292 tunes (treble lines) by Marshall, the Gow family, Mackintosh and others. Includes Glen’s biographies of the composers and publishers and notes on the earlier collections and sources of the tunes. Glen was a careful music collector and biographer who meticulously placed the attribution of every tune he selected either to its composer or to an original collection. ***Editor’s Choice

Alastair J. Hardie. The Caledonian Companion (2001). Mel Bay Publications, Pacific, USA. ISBN 0786628278. An internationally acclaimed collection of Scottish fiddle music and a guide to its performance by renowned Scottish fiddler Alastair J. Hardie. Contains an in-depth survey of Scottish fiddling and 112 melodies with historical notes.

Helen Hopekirk, arranger. Seventy Scottish Songs (1992). Dover Publications, Inc., General Publishing Company, Ltd., Toronto, Canada. Originally published by O. Ditson Co., Boston, 1905. Well-known songs, including several by Robert Burns, are arranged for voice and piano.

James Hunter, compiler, J. Alastair Hardie and William Hardie, editors. The Fiddle Music of Scotland (1988). The Hardie Press, Edinburgh, Scotland. One of the most all-embracing collections of Scotland's national violin heritage undertaken this century; 365 melodies including slow airs, marches, strathspeys, reels and rants, hornpipes, jigs and pastorals. All the major composers are represented: the Gows, Marshall, Fraser and Skinner. James Hunter's introduction traces the history of the fiddle and the music through the centuries. A section is added on the specialized bowing technique that gives Scottish Fiddle Music some of its unique qualities. Hunter’s appended notes on many of the pieces reveal fascinating sidelights on the tunes and composers. ***Editor’s Choice

James Johnson and Robert Burns. The Scots Musical Museum (1962). Folklore Associates, Hatboro, PA, USA. Also published by Hardie Press, Edinburgh, Scotland. Facsimile reprint of the 1853 edition of the original six volumes of about 100 songs each, presented in a two-book set. The Scottish poet Robert is credited for a major role in preserving the music and songs of Scotland. He collected fiddle and bagpipe tunes to which he set his poems in song. Johnson published the volumes between 1787 and 1803, the last two after Burns’ death. Burns contributed 3 songs to the first volume, and at least 174 to the remaining five.

Marjory Kennedy-Frazer, collector and arranger. Songs of the Hebrides, in 3 vols. (2002). Westport Books, Edinburgh, Scotland. Originally published in 1909. Kennedy-Fraser (1857-1930) was a singer and leading collector of folk song in Scotland. These are approximately 170 traditional songs of the Western Isles, recorded from declining island populations. Kennedy-Fraser arranged them for voice and piano (sometimes for harp for her daughter Patuffa) and published them with the Gaelic and English translations by the Rev. Kenneth MacLeod. Among the tunes are "Eriskay Love Lilt," "A Spinning Song," and "The Harper." The collection has been controversial, because the arrangements were aimed at the concert stage and the drawing room musician. Nevertheless they preserve tunes and lyrics that may otherwise have been lost.

Kitchen Musician Book No.10. Airs & Melodies of Scotland's Past (Revised and expanded in 2001). 41 airs, strathspeys, reels and jigs from old Scottish collections published 1770s to 1880s. In standard music notation with guitar chords, adapted in some cases to "dulcimer friendly" and tinwhistle friendly keys (sharp keys, instead of multiple flats). Available from Kitchen Musician® Books http://www.kitchenmusician.net/.

Kitchen Musician Book No. Jink 20. A Twenty Year Anniversary Collection of Strathspeys, Reels, Jigs and Country Dances by Scotlands Finest Composers (as taught by Dr. John Turner at his Jink & Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling) for Fiddle, mandolin, flute recorder, etc. with Guitar chords. A collection of 126 Scottish fiddle tunes. Available from Kitchen Musician® Books http://www.kitchenmusician.net/.

Ewan MacColl, compiler and editor. Folk Songs and Ballads of Scotland (1965). Oak Publications, New York, NY, USA. This collection by one the great 20th century folksingers of the English-speaking world contains tunes and lyrics to 70 traditional songs and ballads. Historical notes, bibliography, and discography are also provided (the latter dating to the 1960's and earlier). The compiler has attempted to present authentic versions of the songs unaltered by 19th century collectors and editors. Guitar chords and a glossary of Scottish idioms are supplied by Peggy Seeger.

Keith Norman MacDonald, compiler. The Gesto Collection of Highland Music (1997). Lampeter, Llanerch, Scotland. Facsimile edition of the 1985 edition scored for fiddle and piano. Though not authoritative, the book is a valuable historic collection of Gaelic songs, tunes, and military marches. An authoritative appendix by Frances Tolmie, one of the greatest authorities of her time on Gaelic music and song, is included. The main section has 250 airs, some with words, and the appendix has an additional 140 tunes.

Keith Norman MacDonald. The Skye Collection (2002). Scott’s Highland Services. Ltd., London, Ontario, Canada. Facsimile edition of the legendary1887 publication, scored for fiddle and piano. MacDonald’s intent was to compile over 400 of the best reels and strathspeys, including both pipe and fiddle tunes, from sources such as the Gows, Dow, Skinner, and others. Edited and reindexed by Paul Stewart Cranford. ***Editor’s Choice

Ronn MacFarlane. The Scottish Lute (1998). Mel Bay Publications, Pacific, USA. Contains 56 transcriptions from three 17th century Scottish lute manuscripts (Straloch, Rowallan and Skene) in the original tablature and transposed to stave notation.

William Marshall. Marshall’s Scottish Melodies (1978). Fiddlecase Books, Peterborough, NH, USA. Compact facsimile edition of four volumes published in the 19th century. Contains 265 airs, strathspeys, reels, jigs, and other tunes arranged for violin and other instruments. Treble and bass lines are given. Also contains a memoir about the composer by "J. McG." written in 1845.

William Marshall. Music of William Marshall, Scottish Fiddler (1748-1833). A book to accompany Scottish fiddler John Turner's recording "Almost Prefect." Contain 34 of Marshall's tunes in original keys in 11 sets. Marshall was prefect to the Duke of Gordon and a prolific composer for Scottish fiddle. Available from Kitchen Musician® Books, http://www.kitchenmusician.net/.

William Matheson. The Blind Harper (an Clarsair Dall): the songs of Roderick Morison [Ruaidhri Mac Mhuirich] and His Music (1970). [see citation in History and Biography]

Malcolm McDonald. The Malcolm McDonald Collection. Taigh Na Teud, Isle of Skye, Scotland. First printed as four single volumes in 1788. Contains over 130 fiddle tunes, many composed by Malcolm McDonald, who lived around Dunkeld in the 18th century. He is said to have played the cello for Niel Gow.

Patrick McDonald. A Collection of Highland Vocal Airs (2000). Taigh na Teud. Isle of Skye, Scotland. Originally published in Edinburgh, 1784. This Collection of Highland Gaelic airs contains the tunes to many Gaelic songs of that period from all over Scotland. Two extensive introductions describe both the music and way of life at this time. Glen refers to some tunes in the collection that he remembers as being the ancient harp music played in the Highlands. There is also a wealth of other fiddle, pipe and song material in this early collection, as well as early versions of many well known tunes. Taigh na Teud had access to personal notes from William Matheson’s own copy. These have been included to help with further research. Roderick Cannon supplied possible names for many of the unnamed tunes in the North Highland Reels and Country Dances section. ***Editor’s Choice

Jane Fraser Morison. Highland Airs and Quicksteps: Arranged for the Pianoforte (ca 1892). Facsimile edition available from Fiddler’s Crossing www.fiddlerscrossing.com. From the author’s introduction to the second book (published in 1882): "The greater part of the Gaelic Airs in this and in the first book (except the Quicksteps) belong exclusively to the West Highlands and Islands, and have never before been published. They have all been arranged as simply as possible; to preserve the true pipe-like character of the Music, little or no harmony is admissible..."

J. Murray Neil. The Scots Fiddle, Vol. 1 (1999) and Vol. 2 (2001). [see citation in History and Biography]

W. Norris. The Glendaruel Collection of Bagpipe Music Comprising Marches, Strathspeys and Reels (1951). Mozart Allan, Glasgow, Scotland. First published in 1951, this is one of the basic mid-20th century collections of pipe tunes. It contains 48 marches, strathspeys and reels in up-to- date settings.

James Oswald. Caledonian Pocket Companion: Being a Collection of the Most Favourite Scotch Tunes for the German Flute or Violin (1759). Published in 12 books as one of the earliest extensive collections of traditional and original Scottish tunes. Oswald was a professional composer who also composed chamber music bridging baroque and classical styles. Unfortunately, the Pocket Companion does not appear to be available in a facsimile edition. Copies of the work in major music libraries, including the British Library, London, England, the University of South Carolina Libraries (7 volumes), the University of Glascow, Scotland (first seven volumes), the Library of the Queen’s University, Belfast (6 volumes), and the Wighton Collection of Dundee, Scotland (12 volumes). Robert Burns took a small number of airs from the Pocket Companion for his songs. This work may contain the first strathspeys in print.

Wilma Paterson, editor. Songs of Scotland (1996). Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh, Scotland. An entertaining collection of over 100 traditional songs and ballads from the 17th - 19th centuries scored for voice and piano. Tunes are grouped by topic, such as "Lads Want Lassies," "Bonnie Charlie," and Scullduggery and Death." An amusing and scholarly introduction by the editor discusses history, collectors and song-writers (such as Robert Burns), and texts. Historical notes on the songs are provided, as well as a good bibliography. Idioms in the lyrics are translated in annotations. Illustrated by Alisdair Gray.

James Stewart Robertson, compiler. The Athole Collection (1996). Balnain House, Inverness, Scotland. Robertson was from Edradynate, Perthshire, and was was a founding member of the Edinburgh Highland Reel & Strathspey Society. He published a collection of 870 strathspeys, reels, jigs, hornpipes and country dances in 1884. The music is reset in the current version, omitting the rudimentary bass lines but leaving the melody lines unaltered. An important feature is the juxtaposition of strathspeys and reels to provide guidance for playing the tunes in sets. The book contains an introduction by Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser.

Keith Sanger and Alison Kinnaird. Tree of Strings (Crann nan Teud) (1992) [see citation in History and Biography]

Margaret Fay Shaw. Folksongs and Folklore of South Uist, 2nd Edition (1999) [see citation in History and Biography]

James Scott Skinner, composer and compiler, Gavin Grieg, editor. The Harp and Claymore. Scott’s Highland Services Ltd., London, Ontario. Distributed by Mel Bay Publications.Reissue of the 1985 Facsimile edition. Originally published by Bayley & Ferguson, 1904. Collection of the famous Scottish fiddle player J. Scott Skinner (1843-1927). Contains pastorals, marches, strathspeys, reels, hornpipes, laments and songs. Music is provided for voice, violin, bagpipe, and piano. Most scores have both treble and bass clef, some have piano accompaniment for fiddle solo. Contains the mature fruit of a life-long cultivation of the Scottish reel and strathspey.

James Scott Skinner. Miller O' Hirn Collection. Hardie Press, Edinburgh, Scotland. Facsimile edition of 1881 collection originally published by Home and Macdonald, Edinburgh. This work is the first major publication by fiddler James Scott Skinner, who later published hundreds of other tunes. It contains over one hundred strathspeys, reels, highland schottisches, slow airs, hornpipes and jigs, all composed by Skinner. It also contains lyrics for which Skinner had written music. Bowings for fiddle are carefully annotated.

William Thompson, compiler. Orpheus Caledonius or a Collection of Scots Songs, 2nd Edition (1733). 2003 CD ROM facsimile available from Nick Parkes, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom. This easy to use CD ROM is a facsimile reproduction of this rare early collection of Scots songs collected by Thompson (ca.1690-1756). It contains high quality color and black-and-white page scans, arranged as linked Adobe PDF documents, that are easily viewable and printable. Contains 100 songs with music engraved on copper plates, arranged for the keyboard with melody and bass lines. Often available as an auction item on eBay http://www.ebay.com, or contact nickparkes@btinternet.com.

Frances Tolmie, compiler, Lucy E. Broadwood, Editor. One Hundred and Five Songs of Occupation from the Western Isles of Scotland (1997). [see citation in History and Biography]

Alexander Walker. Alexander Walker Collection (1997). Cranford Publications, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. A new edition of the 1866 collection of original 19th century Scottish fiddle tunes. This revision includes some melodic variations from Cape Breton fiddlers.