The+great+northern+tunebook+william+vickers+collection+of+dance+tunes+ad1770+!!link!! Free Jun 2026

: Edited by Matt Seattle , the most comprehensive version is published jointly by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) and the Northumbrian Pipers' Society (NPS) . Transcriptions & ABC Notation :

The collection acts as a crossroad where several musical traditions collide: : Edited by Matt Seattle , the most

Understand the (like the Rant or the Jig) that accompany these tunes? Today, we can explore this remarkable collection, now

| Feature | Available free? | |---------|----------------| | Full facsimile (original handwriting) | Yes (Internet Archive) | | Modern notation of all 500+ tunes | Yes (Village Music Project) | | PDF download | Yes | | Searchable tune index | Yes | | Historical notes / introduction | Partial (some editions redact commentary) | | ABC files for easy editing & playback | Yes | | MIDI or MP3 renditions | Yes (via ABC tools) | we can explore this remarkable collection

, the collection offers a rare and unvarnished window into the repertoire of a Northumbrian musician—likely a fiddler—during a period when oral tradition and formal notation were increasingly intersecting. The Compiler and the Manuscript Little is known about William Vickers

In the mid-18th century, a musical treasure was born. William Vickers, a Northumbrian musician, compiled a magnificent collection of dance tunes that would become known as "The Great Northern Tunebook." This extraordinary manuscript, created around 1770, is a testament to the rich musical heritage of the North of England. Today, we can explore this remarkable collection, now available for free, and discover the beauty of traditional dance music.