Music Resources

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Digital Tradition Mirror

I am a big fan of traditional music - old songs from the 1800s, sea shanties, the like - and collect books on it when I can. But the best resource I've found on the Web so far is the Digital Traditions mirror, which has music and text for hundreds of songs. I'm not sure it's all in the public domain but it's a brilliant way to learn a new song.

Read more:   Digital Tradition Mirror

Related Topics:  Annotated Link  England  Folk Music  Music  Sea Shanty 

Viper Piper Tune Archive

Sure you can pay the $50 for Scots Guards I or II as well as a number of other really good bagpipe tune resources (the Worral and Mathieson books are great). But if you want a collection of off-kilter tunes - Star Wars, the Republic of South Africa national anthem - Viper Piper is a great tune source.

Read more:   Viper Piper Tune Archive

Related Topics:  Annotated Link  Music  Bagpipes  Scotland 

ibiblio Folk Music Index

One of the hardest things about finding a folk tune is knowing where it was published. Without a detailed index showing the song title you have (which may or may not be the song title you think it is), you can be lost. I stumbled upon this site when looking for information about the traditional Canadian tune, the Huron Carol. Here you get not only cross-references to other names for the same tune (like "Twas in the moon of wintertime", the opening line of one of the translations) but also links to recording and publishing information - like a reverse discography.

Read more:   ibiblio Folk Music Index

Related Topics:  Annotated Link  Folk Music  Music 

The Revels: Homeward Bound

If you are a fan of sea shanties, or American traditional music generally, you should take a look at the recordings the Revels have put out over the years. I first found them through the Skokie Public Library but a recent recording called 'Homeward Bound' includes John Roberts and Tony Barrand, two of my most favorite musicians. It's a brilliant disc, with a selection of common songs with some I'd never heard of before.

Read more:   The Revels: Homeward Bound

Related Topics:  Annotated Link  Folk Music  History  Music  Sea Shanty