The is a cornerstone of English folk music, particularly the tradition of the North-East . Originally a manuscript compiled by a fiddler named William Vickers in 1770 , it provides a unique window into the social dancing and musical tastes of Georgian Newcastle upon Tyne. 🎻 Collection Overview
: In the mid-19th century, the book belonged to the pipemaker John Baty of Wark . It eventually came into the possession of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne .
While heavily featuring traditional Northumbrian music, the collection is highly eclectic. It includes country dances, jigs, reels, hornpipes, minuets, marches, and Scots tunes. It reflects how fluidly music traveled across borders and social classes.
The William Vickers manuscript , famously known as The Great Northern Tunebook The is a cornerstone of English folk music,
This landmark publication was edited by Matt Seattle and first published in three volumes in 1986-87, making it the first complete publication of a fiddler's manuscript. A revised and expanded single-volume edition was republished in 2008 by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) in association with the Northumbrian Pipers' Society. This 222-page book (ISBN: 978 0 85418 201 5) is an essential resource for folk musicians, providing clean, accessible transcriptions of all 580 tunes.
Digital audio previews to help musicians learn the phrasing and rhythm of the tunes by ear. Why Musicians Study the Vickers Collection Today
The Farne project digitized the original handwritten manuscript pages. You can view the actual 1770 handwriting, ink blots, and musical notation exactly as Vickers wrote them. 2. The Traditional Tune Archive (TTA) It eventually came into the possession of the
is the modern published edition of the William Vickers Manuscript , a vital collection of Northumbrian and Border folk music compiled around 1770 . It serves as one of the most comprehensive records of 18th-century dance tunes, offering insight into the repertoire of Northern English fiddlers and pipers . 1. Historical Overview
Why is this collection so revered?
While the free edition is a tremendous resource, users should be aware: It reflects how fluidly music traveled across borders
The collection is notable for its geographic and stylistic breadth. Although it has a strong focus on Northumbrian pipe and fiddle tunes , it also incorporates music from . The types of tunes include: Common and Triple-time Hornpipes Jigs, Reels, and Rants Cotillons and Airs
The specific year, , is the secret to the collection’s power. This sits squarely in the "Golden Age" of the fiddle and the transition from Baroque to Classical music.