The Great Northern Tunebook, formally known as the William Vickers Collection of Dance Tunes AD 1770, is one of the most significant English fiddle manuscripts in existence. Compiled between 1770 and 1772, likely in Newcastle upon Tyne, this vast collection provides a rare window into the repertoire of an 18th-century musician.
The manuscript contains roughly 580 surviving tunes, though 31 pages of the original book were lost over time. It is highly regarded by traditional musicians today for its preservation of regional Northumbrian pipe and fiddle music. History and Discovery of the Manuscript
Little is known about William Vickers himself, other than his name and the date "1770" inscribed on the first page of the manuscript. Experts suggest he may have been a professional fiddler, a music teacher, or a dancing master in Newcastle.
Ownership History: 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.
Modern Publication: The collection gained widespread recognition after it was edited by Matt Seattle and published as The Great Northern Tune Book by Dragonfly Music in 1986–1987. A more recent single-volume edition was co-published by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) and the Northumbrian Pipers' Society (NPS) in 2008. Musical Content and Varieties
The collection is notable for its incredible variety, featuring a mix of common dance tunes of the era and rare regional melodies. It includes:
Dance Styles: Jigs, reels, rants, and both common-time and triple-time hornpipes.
Geographic Origins: While the focus is on local Northumbrian and Tyneside tunes, the collection also includes music from Scotland, France, and other parts of England.
Notable Tunes: Many tunes found in the book, such as "The Keel Row," "Bobby Shaftoe," and "The Hemp Dressers," remain staples of the Northumbrian folk tradition. Significance in Modern Folk Music
The Vickers manuscript has played a vital role in the 20th-century renaissance of traditional Tyneside music. It has been a primary resource for legendary folk performers and groups such as: Alistair Anderson The High Level Ranters Kathryn Tickell The Cut and Dry Band How to Access the Collection for Free
For musicians and historians looking to study these tunes without purchasing the printed book, several resources offer access to the collection: WTB Wm Vickers Great Northern Tunebook - The Session The Great Northern Tunebook , formally known as
The Great Northern Tunebook , based on the William Vickers manuscript of 1770, is one of the most significant historical resources for traditional music in Northern England. It contains a vast collection of over 500 tunes, offering a unique glimpse into the repertoire of an 18th-century fiddler. Key Overview of the Collection
Original Manuscript: Compiled between 1770 and 1772, the manuscript is a handwritten record of dance tunes probably from the Newcastle upon Tyne area.
Contents: Approximately 580 tunes survive, including jigs, reels, rants, and both common-time and triple-time hornpipes.
Significance: It is noted for its variety and as an early record of regional standards like "Bobby Shaftoe" and "The Keel Row".
Modern Edition: The collection was revitalized and edited by Matt Seattle, first published in three volumes (1986–87) and later as a single volume by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) and the Northumbrian Pipers' Society in 2008. Accessing the Collection for Free
While the printed book edited by Matt Seattle is a commercial publication, the historical source material and digital versions can be accessed through various free online archives:
Digital Scans of the Original: You can view the original manuscript pages online via the Folk Archive Resource North East (FARNE). You can browse the archive and search for "Vickers, William" to see the digitized manuscript.
ABC Transcriptions: Websites like the Village Music Project and the Traditional Tune Archive often host ABC notation for Vickers' tunes, which can be easily converted into sheet music or MIDI.
Individual Tune PDF Examples: Some educational resources provide specific transcriptions of popular tunes from the collection, such as Morton's Maggot. Noteworthy Tunes in the Collection
The manuscript is famous for including early versions of tunes that remain staples of the Northumbrian piping and English fiddling traditions today: The Keel Row: A classic Tyneside melody. Bobby Shaftoe: One of the earliest known transcriptions. Lads of Alnwick: A traditional regional favorite. The Great Northern Tunebook
Jack’s Alive: Part of a large subset of "Jack" tunes within the collection.
The original manuscript is currently held by the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne at the Northumberland County Record Office. The Great Northern Tune book
The Great Northern Tune Book 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
Scale: Contains nearly 600 tunes (specifically 580), making it one of the largest English fiddle manuscripts from the 18th century.
Diversity: Includes a mix of local Northumbrian pipe and fiddle tunes, alongside melodies from Scotland, France, and other parts of England. Types of Tunes: Jigs and Reels Rants (a signature rhythm of the North-East) Hornpipes (both common and triple-time) Country Dances ⭐ Why It Is Highly Rated (Review Summary)
Modern folk musicians and historians consider this a "must-have" for several reasons:
Authenticity: Unlike later 19th-century collections that were often "sanitized" for polite society, Vickers' book captures a working musician's repertoire as it was actually played.
Foundational Resource: It served as a primary source for the Northumbrian Minstrelsy (1882) and fueled the 20th-century folk revival on Tyneside led by groups like The High Level Ranters and artists like Alistair Anderson.
Historical Insight: It proves that "traditional" music was never static; Vickers included popular theatre tunes and military pieces alongside ancient melodies, showing a vibrant, evolving culture. 📂 How to Access it for Free
While physical editions by Matt Seattle are popular for their scholarship, you can find the core musical content for free online: likely in Newcastle upon Tyne
FARNE (Folk Archive Resource North East): You can often find digitized PDF versions and individual tune transcriptions on the Farne Archive.
The Village Music Project: This project has digitized many English manuscripts into ABC notation (which can be played or converted to sheet music for free). Look for the Vickers collection on the Village Music Project website.
Folkopedia: Offers a comprehensive wiki entry with historical context and links to further resources.
If you are looking for specific types of tunes from the book, I can help you find:
Beginner-friendly melodies (many are in simple keys like G or D) Tunes specifically for the Northumbrian smallpipes
Links to modern recordings of Vickers' tunes by artists like Kathryn Tickell
What part of the collection are you most interested in exploring?
The Great Northern Tunebook refers to the music manuscript compiled by William Vickers in 1770. It is a primary source document of significant importance to the history of traditional music in the North of England. The manuscript contains over 600 tunes, ranging from local Northumbrian and Scottish dance music to popular songs of the Georgian era. Unlike many "high art" manuscripts of the period, Vickers’ collection captures the working repertoire of a local musician, providing invaluable insight into the musical tastes of the 18th-century working and middle classes. Today, the manuscript is in the public domain and is widely available for free to researchers and musicians.
Vickers did not limit himself to folk music. He included tunes from popular stage plays, ballad operas (such as works by Thomas Arne), and English country dances. This highlights that 18th-century musicians blurred the lines between "folk" and "classical" or "popular" music—whatever got people dancing was written down.
They offer some sample tunes and occasionally the full PDF for free during open-access promotions. Check their digital archive section.
The collection is a cornerstone for the Northumbrian smallpipes and fiddle traditions. It contains early versions of tunes that remain standards in the repertoire today. Because it predates many later published collections (like those of the Clancy brothers or the Northumbrian Pipers' Society), it provides a "snapshot" of the tradition in its earlier forms.