The+great+northern+tunebook+william+vickers+collection+of+dance+tunes+ad1770+free New! Jun 2026
The , famously known today as the Great Northern Tune Book , is more than just a historical archive—it is a ghost story of a man whose life vanished, leaving only his music behind. The Mystery of the Man
The manuscript was brought into modern academic and public view through the work of editor Matt Seattle . It has been published in various formats:
: Almost nothing is known about Vickers himself. He was likely a professional musician or dancing master in Newcastle upon Tyne, but he left behind only his name, the date (1770), and this massive archive of music. Surviving Index
Little is known about William Vickers himself, other than his likely residence in the North East of England. His manuscript, however, is monumental. Unlike many contemporary collections that aimed for high-art status, Vickers' tunebook is a . It contains over 500 melodies—ranging from jigs and reels to hornpipes and minuets—recorded with the practical intent of being played for local social dances. A Musical Melting Pot The , famously known today as the Great
: It is one of the largest and most significant examples of a "vernacular instrumental manuscript" from the 18th century. White Rose eTheses Ownership History
: It bridges the gap between earlier formal publications and the later folk revival, containing versions of tunes that would eventually appear in the Northumbrian Minstrelsy . 3. Modern Publications & Access
Local melodies and dance tunes.
The manuscript itself is a large, oblong volume consisting of roughly 360 tunes. It was not published commercially in Vickers's lifetime; it was a personal "vade mecum" or reference book. Vickers wrote out the tunes by hand, likely for his own use in teaching, playing for dances, and preserving the melodies he heard.
The manuscript contains over 550 tunes. This sheer volume provides a comprehensive look at what a regional musician was expected to know in the late 18th century.
The collection is famous for its humorous, earthy, and sometimes mysterious titles, such as "Because he was a Bonny Lad," "The Devil in the Bush," and "Up and Worse Shins." How to Find the William Vickers Collection for Free He was likely a professional musician or dancing
One of the most famous anthems of Northeast England, appearing in an early, vibrant form.
The Vickers collection is highly valued for several reasons: 1. Immense Breadth and Variety
: It includes jigs, reels, rants, common-time hornpipes, and triple-time hornpipes . Unlike many contemporary collections that aimed for high-art
William Vickers’ Great Northern Tunebook (c.1770) is more than an antiquarian curiosity. It is a living document of Georgian dance music, preserving melodies that connect English, Scottish, and Northumbrian traditions. Its availability as a has democratized access, allowing anyone with an internet connection to explore, perform, and study this historical treasure. For folk musicians, historians, and enthusiasts, Vickers’ collection remains an open invitation to step into an 18th-century dance hall.
In 1986, editor published the first complete version as The Great Northern Tune Book via Dragonfly Music , followed by a comprehensive single-volume edition in 2008 released jointly by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) and the Northumbrian Pipers' Society. How to Access the Tunes for Free