Folk Traditional category: 475 books

What did young people do for diversion and socialization in communities that banned most dancing and considered the fiddle to be the devil's instrument? The American play party was the fundamentalist's answer. Here the singing was a cappella, the dancers followed prescribed steps, and arm and elbow...

The only defenders of Serbian art and culture in these difficult centuries were the peasants who played the Gusle, a one-stringed instrument. As their punishment for playing a musical instrument many of these musicians were blinded by their oppressors resulting in thousands of such punishments. Being...

In 1941, Woody Guthrie wrote 26 songs in 30 days--including classics like “Roll On Columbia” and “Pastures of Plenty”--when he was hired by the Bonneville Power Administration to promote the benefits of cheap hydroelectric power, irrigation, and the Grand Coulee Dam. Timed to celebrate the...

In an irresistible tale of a life lived fully, if not always wisely, Liam Clancy, of the legendary Irish group the Clancy Brothers, describes his eventful journey from a small town in Ireland in the 1930s into the heart of the New York music scene in the 1950s and ’60s. Following in the grand tradition...

This is a Ukulele Song Book 2 I put together for parents and children who have participated in my Ukulele Workshops. This is a follow up of Ukulele Song Book 1. These are another 25 all-time-favorite Popular Songs for everyone's enjoyment. The songs are in the keys of the vocal...

A SUNDAY TIMES AND TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEAR SHORTLISTED FOR THE PENDERYN MUSIC BOOK PRIZE Peggy Seeger is one of folk music's most influential artists and songwriters. Born in New York City in 1935, she enjoyed a childhood steeped in music and left-wing politics - they remain her lifeblood....

A collection of medieval Swedish narrative ballads in a new English verse translation.  It was foreseen that Little Kerstin would drown on her wedding morning. Lord Peter sets sail, even though he was warned to avoid the sea. Sir Olof happens upon an elf-dance on the day before his wedding....

The Great Ballad Tradition of Scotland is one of the most important influences on the folk songs of the English-speaking world. The descendants of the old Scottish ballads appear in countless variants in England, Canada, Australia and the United States. Now Ewan MacColl, himself raised in this tradition,...

Americana is a music that defies definition. It isn’t rock, although it does encompass rock. It isn’t folk, but folk is there. It isn’t Celtic, but it is woven with Celtic threads. It is a blend of forms, music that draws on a wide range of influences. Gathering these many genres together, Americana...

Harry Taussig. A follow-up volume to 'Teach Yourself Guitar'. Concentrates on the instrumental solo, with special emphasis on basic fingerpicking techniques. New chords are introduced in order of their increasing difficulty.

A deluxe, comprehensive collection of 103 school and camp favorites. Contains patriotic songs, campfire songs, hiking songs, and even fun songs for use on buses. Includes melody line, lyrics, and guitar chords.

“A corking read...” - Bernard Wrigley For getting on half a century, Dave Hadfield has followed the genres of music that grabbed his heart and mind in his youth. In All the Wrong Notes, he has written not just a musical memoire, but a personal and social history of the last 50 years. Like...

Gospel music is rooted in the folk tradition of America. It is music from the heart and soul and appears wherever people gather to express their spiritual joy. Folk instruments such as the guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and autoharp lend themselves to this kind of group singing. They can provide...

This collection of English Christmas carols is a warm welcome to the season of festive cheer. Steeped in tradition, each carol will fill your holiday celebration with merriment and reverence. These endearing spirited songs are fun to play, giving you hours of enjoyment year after year. The English...