Traditional Fiddle Tunes - Intro Page

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[ Access OTSMA's Fiddle Tune Library ][ Link to Tadpole Tunes - A Fiddler's Site to See ]

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To enjoy joining in on fiddle-tune jams, it helps to memorize the melodies, rhythms, and syncopations to as many traditional tunes as you are able.

To support your learning process, OTMSA members have assembled this Fiddle Tune Library.

The Fiddle Tune Library contains links to sheet music and audio renditions of some Traditional Fiddle Tunes which may be played at folk music Jam Sessions.

You may want to compare what you hear at the OTSMA Fiddle Tunes Library to recordings of different musicians playing these tunes, to add to your understanding and feel for the style of music. This will increase your ability to add ornamentation and improvision to your overall melodic playing skills in other styles of music as well.

Traditional Tunes are old passed down melodies played on Fiddles, Mandolins, Whistles, Pipes, Flutes, Accordions, Hammer Dulcimers, Concertinas, Guitars, Pianos, Harps...etc. 

Most of the Old Traditional Tunes commonly referred to as "Fiddle Tunes" follow the AA-BB format although there are variations. Generally, the first eight bars are played twice, and then the second eight bars are played twice.  This AA-BB (32 bar set) is then commonly repeated 4-8 times depending on how many musicians there are taking a turn playing the melody. 

Various types of traditional fiddle tunes are classified as a Jig, Reel, Hornpipe, Air, March, Schottische, Strathspey, Polka and Waltz...etc. 

[ Access OTSMA's Fiddle Tune Library ]