Old-Time Fiddler's Repertory: Historic Field Recordings of Forty-One Traditional Tunes Audio CD – CD, January 27, 2011

In the late 1940's and 1950's, R.P. Christeson recorded hundreds of traditional fiddle tunes played by talented fiddlers in the Midwest, including one of my relatives, "Uncle Bob" Walters, and transcribed them for preservation and posterity. This volume includes a lengthy introduction written by Christeson, followed by 245 tunes organized by style -- breakdowns, quadrilles, waltzes, and pieces. Some of the tunes have names, others do not. Most of the tunes are 32 measures in length, with the first 16 measures repeated once before going on to the second 16 measures, also repeated once. This format is generally known as AA BB. With few exceptions, the music is a straight melody in treble clef, with no embellishments, chords, or harmony notes. Generally there are two tunes per page, with a little side blurb about the tune and the name of who played it.Sound files of these recordings can be found at Larry Warren's excellent site www.slippery-hill.com in the same order as tunes in the book. Keep in mind that these recordings were made as field recordings in the 1950's using "old school" recording technology -- they don't sound like studio recordings of Mark O'Connor!The tunes are individually numbered with an alphabetical index by name (when known) and organized by style. This is an amazing compilation of traditional American music for musicians and music students alike.

A broad collection of fiddle tunes for the fiddling collector. If you are starting out as a fiddle player, buy Fiddle Fake Book (or something similar); you will find more of the modern 'repetoire' in there. If you've been fiddling a while, add this to your library. Lots of historical notes and alternate names to hold your interest.One star off for the quality of the paper and cover. Something sturdier to hold up over the years is called for, especially in a spiral book.

If you want an easy to read book of old time fiddle tunes, I highly recommend this volume. I like spiral wound books as the set better on a stand while reading and playing

I play mandolin but I hate mandolin music books because they waste space with mandolin tablature. So I am building my library of great music by buying fiddle books and this (plus volume 2) are wonderful collections, clearly notated and with nice accompanying notes with each tune. If this review seems like the same review I'm publishing for volume 2, that's because it is the same review. Both books are worth purchasing for anybody interested in old-time music and keeping that wonderful folk tradition alive.

It's ok, but frankly, I suggest getting a copy of The Fiddler's Facebook by David Brody. It has twice the number of songs, and it's a more recently compiled collection of fiddle tunes. ( 1983 as opposed to 1973.) You'll have a broader array of choices. Tis isn't a bad collection, however, it's been bettered.

I liked this product because you can’t find these tunes and liner notes anywhere else. I am using this recording to tech me RP’s style.

Good resource of tunes. However, based on the description of the book, I was expecting them to have names, at least as subtitles, and in some cases to be more simple, basic versions of the melody. Nonetheless, I will buy the other volume.

I like this book, a lot! Spiral bound so it lays flat, larger print, making sight reading very easy. The tunes are relatively unknown, so pulling them out of my fiddle is like putting a puzzle together! You know when you've done it right. Buy Volume 2, also, you won't be sorry!