windminstrel
C.O.G. 
Posts: 147 
My main instrument is: Tanglewood Sundance Historic TW40
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Post by windminstrel on Mar 24, 2014 14:35:18 GMT
Having recently bought this book, I would like to recommend it to the good people here. It's not so much the multitude of folk songs available in it, but also the information within the introductions and also the notes to the songs at the back of the book. This is an updated version of the 1959 original. It is a good book to dip in and out of, but I would read the introduction first, it gives a good insight into what we consider to be folk music, after that, you have 151 songs to play with.  Amazon Link |
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Mar 24, 2014 14:47:26 GMT
Saw that reviewed in the paper at the weekend - was wondering about buying it - I have a copy of the original version that I bought in around 1963 - could be interesting!
keith
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Post by slasher on Mar 26, 2014 14:33:18 GMT
Always liked "The English book of Penguin folk songs".
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Mar 26, 2014 15:30:55 GMT
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 26,142
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Mar 26, 2014 16:01:33 GMT
I'm afraid I haven't finished the Ladybird Book of English Nursery Rhymes yet...  |
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brianr2
C.O.G.
Posts: 3,189
My main instrument is: Fylde Goodfellow
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Post by brianr2 on Mar 26, 2014 17:49:05 GMT
I bought a copy of this book and am thoroughly enjoying it. As the Amazon blurb says, it comprises almost entirely quotes from the players of the time, including Martins Carthy and Simpson, Nic Jones, Eliza Carthy, John Renbourn, Wizz Jones, Steve Tilston, Phil Beer, Dave Swarbrick, Maddy Prior, June Tabor, Seth Lakeman, Billy Connolly, Jasper Carrott.... The quotes are grouped into broad themes and prefaced by a brief, incisive scene-setter by the author. It is very easy to read and paints a delightful picture of the time and of the tough conditions faced by players as they gigged between dozens of clubs, sleeping on floors and living on the road. Highly recommended. Brian |
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windminstrel
C.O.G.
Posts: 147
My main instrument is: Tanglewood Sundance Historic TW40
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Post by windminstrel on Mar 26, 2014 21:05:49 GMT
Thanks for the link, just ordered it. Sounds interesting.  |
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Post by sigmadel on Mar 27, 2014 3:18:05 GMT
sounds like it could be an interesting buy . When you say it contains the notes for the songs , do you mean chords ,written music or tab ?
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windminstrel
C.O.G.
Posts: 147
My main instrument is: Tanglewood Sundance Historic TW40
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Post by windminstrel on Mar 27, 2014 18:37:13 GMT
sounds like it could be an interesting buy . When you say it contains the notes for the songs , do you mean chords ,written music or tab ? Written music, unfortunately no tab, so it would be a case of working out a tab from the information given. Just reading last night in the book that music was never originally transcribed due to the varied elements of difficulty writing the melody down by ear, they were almost just done as poems than anything else. However, there is a selection of websites that shows tabs for traditional songs. Bear in mind also that players had varied ways of producing melodies for old songs and would put their own spin on the songs. Bringing that closer to the present period of time with the folk revival during the 60's and 70's whereby people like Nic Jones, Bob Dylan and others used tuning other than standard. According to an article in The Living Tradition magazine, more of the 'new wave' of younger folk guitarists are playing in standard tuning (I suppose it's called standard for a reason and has also been in use for over two centuries). This could be the topic of a separate thread somewhere for the benefit of people who may feel they 'must' play in altered tuning other than standard to play folk guitar. I often wonder at the term 'Celtic' style used alongside guitar playing, not wishing to appear pedantic, as far as I am aware Celts didn't play guitars. Another thing... (while being annoying and controversial) if traditional Celtic style songs include Scottish, Irish, Welsh, etc. what about 'English' traditional songs, what is termed 'English style'?.... also, if writing new songs in, say DADGAD, I was wondering if people wishing to play the song would be bothered re-tuning their instrument, re-transcribing or just not bother if their preferred tuning was standard. Anyway, here is a website that covers loads of various songs and 'presumes' standard tuning. Traditional Music Online |
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Post by andyhowell on Mar 27, 2014 22:34:41 GMT
Worth buying! Great stuff!
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windminstrel
C.O.G.
Posts: 147
My main instrument is: Tanglewood Sundance Historic TW40
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Post by windminstrel on Mar 28, 2014 20:15:36 GMT
I bought a copy of this book and am thoroughly enjoying it. Highly recommended. Brian My copy of this book just arrived this morning, very interesting content. Not a cheap book, but if folk music is your thing then (as above) it is highly recommended. |
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windminstrel
C.O.G.
Posts: 147
My main instrument is: Tanglewood Sundance Historic TW40
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Post by windminstrel on Mar 28, 2014 20:32:24 GMT
Written music, unfortunately no tab, so it would be a case of working out a tab from the information given. Just reading last night in the book that music was never originally transcribed due to the varied elements of difficulty writing the melody down by ear, they were almost just done as poems than anything else. ..... further reading states that a lot of the melodies were 'modal', so perhaps there 'were' forms of DADGAD-ery in early days after all. Difficult to ascertain without creating a tab from the musical notation in the book and having a play round. Currently I have both acoustics in DADGAD (don't ask), so will try to see what melodies transpire (or not). Controversy: Celtic Tiger?  |
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Jo whoever he is.
