The Great Northern Tunebook, formally known as the William Vickers Collection of Dance Tunes AD 1770, is one of the most significant English fiddle manuscripts in existence. Compiled between 1770 and 1772, likely in Newcastle upon Tyne, this vast collection provides a rare window into the repertoire of an 18th-century musician.
The collection is a cornerstone for the Northumbrian smallpipes and fiddle traditions. It contains early versions of tunes that remain standards in the repertoire today. Because it predates many later published collections (like those of the Clancy brothers or the Northumbrian Pipers' Society), it provides a "snapshot" of the tradition in its earlier forms.
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| Type of Tune | Approx. Count | |--------------|----------------| | Reels | 200+ | | Jigs | 150+ | | Hornpipes | 60+ | | Marches | 40+ | | Minuets/Airs | 50+ |
himself, though evidence suggests he was a fiddler living in or near Newcastle upon Tyne The Great Northern Tunebook , formally known as
The original manuscript is a handwritten collection of single-line melodies. It does not typically include bass lines or chords, suggesting it was intended for a melody instrument such as a fiddle, flute, or smallpipes. The compilation date is definitively marked as 1770.
The Great Northern Tunebook is a valuable resource for musicologists, historians, and musicians interested in traditional music. This collection: It contains early versions of tunes that remain
Based in London, the EFDSS (English Folk Dance and Song Society) has digitized their microfilm copy. Navigate to their "Roud Index" and search for "Vickers." They offer free downloads of the manuscript pages as JPEGs.
: Research suggests the book served as a "skeleton for continued creativity," providing simple, straightforward melodies (often within a two-octave range) intended primarily for social dancing. Access and Publications Modern Editions : Matt Seattle edited the first modern edition, titled Contents | Type of Tune | Approx