Romanian Folk Dances Sz. 56, BB 68 is a suite of six short piano pieces composed by Béla Bartók in 1915. He later orchestrated it for small ensemble in 1917 as Sz. 68, BB 76.

It is based on seven Romanian tunes from Transylvania, originally played on fiddle or shepherd's flute.

The original name for the piece was titled Romanian Folk Dances from Hungary but was later changed by Bartók when Transylvania became part of Romania in 1920. It is nowadays available in the 1971 edition which is written with key signatures although Bartók rarely ever used key signatures.

This set of dances consists of six movements and, according to the composer, it should take four minutes and three seconds to perform, but most professional pianists take up to five minutes. The list of the movements is as follows (with the original Hungarian title listed first, the most commonly known Romanian title second, and the English translation in parentheses):




Bot tánc / Jocul cu bâtand#259; (Stick Dance)The melody of the first movement, according to Bartók, came from the Mezand#337;szabad (present-day Voiniceni) village that was part of Mezand#337;csávás (present-day Ceuaand#537;u de Câmpie) commune which was located in the Maros-Tordaadministrative county within Transylvania, and he first heard it when two gypsy violinists were playing it.
Brâul (Sash Dance)The second movement is a typical dance from Romania called Brâul, for which traditionally a sash or a waistband was used. This melody came from Egres (present-day Igriand#537;), in the Banat region.
Topogó / Pe loc (In One Spot)The third dance comes also from Egres (Igriand#537;), but its theme is much darker and its melody recreates Middle Eastern instruments, such as the flute.[4]
Bucsumí tánc / Buciumeana (Dance from Bucsum)The fourth dance came from Bucsony, Alsó-Fehér County (today Bucium, Alba county in Romania)
Román polka / Poarga Româneascand#259; (Romanian Polka)The fifth dance is an old Romanian dance similar to the Polka and comes from Belényes (present-day Beiuand#351;, in Bihor county), near the border between Hungary and Romania.
Aprózó / Mand#259;runand#539;el (Fast Dance)The sixth and last dance is formed by two different melodies: the first one comes from Belényes (present-day Beiuand#537;) and the second one comes from the then named Nyagra (present-day Neagra) village within the Palotailva (present-day Lunca Bradului) commune. Both on the orchestral version and on the original piano version, the final two dances are performed attacca?without a break between movements.

ISBN 9781610653510. An exciting collection of 29 traditional tunes from Ireland, arranged for easy fiddle. All tunes are written clearly in standard notation with bow directions. An accompanying online audio contains all the tunes, played at a manageable speed, with guitar accompaniment.The collection contains airs, well known songs, polkas, slip jigs, slides, double jigs, hornpipes and reels, all of which are specially arranged by the author with the beginning/intermediate fiddle player in mind. On the audio online, the tunes are played 2 or 3 times, so you can really get into the feel of the tune, when playing along. The speed of the tunes is quite slow, but not so slow as to take away from the essential feel of the music.Irish music is rightly popular all over the world. The haunting beauty of the slow airs and infectious foot-tapping rhythms of jigs and reels are here to be discovered in this selection of great traditional music. Audio available for download online.

ISBN 9781610655385. This book contains practice tips, a helpful glossary, a short essay on the Gypsy touch and a fine assortment of approximately 50 annotated traditional Gypsy tunes from Russia, Romania, Hungary, and Bessarabia. Based on many years of research, travel, and participation in slavas or Gypsy jam sessions, this long-anticipated book makes a significant and colorful contribution to the violin repertoire while providing a thorough grounding in the characteristic elements of the passionate Gypsy style. Includes access to online audio containing every song in the book at performance tempo with violin accompaniment. Intermediate to advanced. Access to downloadable audio available online.

ISBN 9781609743833. This collection contains 14 arrangements of 22 traditional tunes from Ireland and Scotland in a variety of styles including jigs, reels, hornpipes, slip jigs, strathspeys, waltzes and airs. The harmonies are written so that various combinations from solo instrument with piano to duets and trios to full string quartet/orchestra are possible. The violin book includes two violin parts with guitar chords and piano accompaniment. All of the Celtic Tunes for Solo and Ensemble books (Violin, Viola and Cello/Bass) are written as ensemble books, so they can be played as solo books or together as ensemble.

ISBN 9781609740405. In his preface, the author reminds the reader that this is not a book for the absolute beginner. Even the experienced player may not "get it" on first reading a given tune, but "You can expect to enjoy the process of learning...[and experience] the joy of recreating a traditional tune, of making it your own." This is the teacher/student pact in effect throughout this marvelous book, written for the literary as much as the musical connoisseur. Although no classical violin experience is needed, you will need to know how to hold the fiddle and bow, and be able to play at least simple tunes in the first position. Having the ability to read music will enable you to follow the bowing patterns and left-hand techniques which the author feels are crucial in grasping the playing style. Includes access to online audio download files featuring solo fiddle. The teaching recording plays the first tunes slowly, but by the end, the correct speed is played. This stereo recording contains 77 of the 80 songs from the book.

ISBN 9781610658614. Learn to Play Irish Fiddle is a book and audio set that introduces the absolute beginner to the great traditional fiddle music of Ireland, going right from the basics of how to hold and make the first sounds on the instrument - through specially composed, manageable tunes in the Irish style - right up to playing traditional reels, jigs and other dance tunes from the traditional repertoire (the specially composed tunes bridge the gap between the basics and the traditional music). Embellishments and techniques that make good Irish fiddle playing so infectious, such as rolls, cuts, triplets and slides are gradually introduced. The student will also become familiar with some of the more advanced ideas concerning playing Irish traditional music such as variations and dynamics - subjects which are covered in greater detail in 'Irish Fiddle Playing: A Guide for the Serious Player' book/audio sets by the same author. Useful appendices and a cross-referenced glossary are also included. The accompanying audio contain all the tunes in the book (played at a slow tempo) plus many exercises. There is NO NEED FOR ANY PRIOR MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE in order to use this book. Each aspect of playing and theory is covered in an accessible and manageable way.

ISBN 9781609740641. Inspired by the Celtic circles of ancient Scotland, Bonnie paints a musical picture through time, joining the heavens and earth to the cycles of everyday life. Performed on Scottish fiddle with gold medal piper Eric Rigler on the Great Highland bagpipe, Scottish smallpipes and uilleann pipes. Also accompanied by guitar, Celtic harp, viola da gamba, hammered dulcimer, bass and bodhran. Includes North Highland tunes from The Patrick McDonald Collection, 1784, pipe marches, strathspeys, jigs and reels, laments and traditional favorites.

Fiddle Tunes, Square Dance, Hoedown Medley orwhatever you care to call it, here for Clarinet Quartet, is a medley of threeBluegrass standards. Included are ?Liberty?,?Arkansas Traveler? and ?Turkey in the Straw?. This arrangement makes a great novelty orencore piece in some situations. It passes the original melodies and variationsequally amongst all members of the quartet and while being challenging, isequally as fun to play! For hundreds ofother arrangements by Kenneth Abeling please visit: www.lincolnmusicpublications.com Playing time: 3:45 Preview this score on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9cwQjexEYY

ISBN 9781609742249. Jerry Garcia, the lead guitarist, singer, and alleged leader of the Grateful Dead, became an icon of the 60s youth movement. It was well-known that Jerry was a huge fan, and probably considered himself a player, of old-time American music, from mountain fiddle and banjo music, to English ballads, to jug band music to bluegrass and blues, and more. On the "Shady Grove" recordings one can hear the deep commitment, respect, and love Jerry had for this traditional American music. He's very faithful to the original artists' music. That may be surprising if you expect more of an ego-driven "my version" approach from one the biggest rock stars ever. What you have here is a vibrant collection of wonderful traditional American songs, from a great variety of genres, played in a style closely based on their traditional sources. Of course within those parameters we hear wonderful and personal readings of the tunes from both Jerry and mandolinist David Grisman. Dix Bruce has carefully transcribed many of Jerry's solos from the album, trying to determine not just what he was playing but how he was playing it. Melodies, tablature, lyrics, and chords are included in arrangements designed to be playable on the guitar while presenting the melodies as closely as possible. Jerry's banjo solos are transcribed here for guitar.

This giddy, rambunctious piano solo was originally a traditional Celtic fiddle tune with Cajun origins (sometimes known as "The Happy One-Step"). This arrangement fits perfectly on a program of toe-tapping, foot-stomping Celtic music, whether that be a ceilidh, a stateside Scottish weekend, an Irish concert, or wherever Celtic and Cajun music are loved and appreciated. 4 pages of music. Key: F major. Note: the audio clip is played a half step lower. This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard?s global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.

ISBN 9781610658041. This book is a follow-up to 'Irish Fiddle Playing: A Guide for the Serious Player' (MB99402BCD). The student will gain a deeper knowledge of fiddle playing and improve their overall playing and musical understanding. Subjects include: improvisationfingering and bowing techniques playing with other musicians modes converting from classical to traditional improvising in songs The player will become more aware of the mechanics of playing the fiddle, putting them in a position to:improve their sound develop their own style play more effectively and confidently with othersAs with the first book in the series, it contains pieces of advice from the author's 25 years of playing music. The format of the book is similar to this first book. Section 1 deals with various aspects of fiddle playing. Section 2 contains a selection of mostly well-known tunes, fully transcribed with variations,embellishments/ornaments. These tunes are all include on the accompanying online audio.

ISBN 9781610657587. The book is designed to make the personal aspects of traditional Irish fiddle playing, improvisation and interpretation, accessible to novice players. Drawing on his experience writing out reels, jigs and other tunes for new players at a North London session and teaching fiddle, the author conveys what to do with tunes to make them your own. The first part of the book discusses such subjects as the "language" of traditional music, posture, bowing, and effective practice, with a detailed analysis of left and right hand technique. The second section is a selection of tunes that demonstrate the ideas in the first part. The aim of the book is to allow the player to look more closely at their technique while also improving accuracy and speed. A recording adds an extra dimension to the learning experience. Audio download available online.