The heart of the book is regional music, including famous pieces like "The Keel Row" and "Bobby Shaftoe".
The William Vickers manuscript, compiled in , is one of the most significant historical artifacts of English folk music, specifically documenting the rich dance traditions of Northumberland and the North East . Published modernly as The Great Northern Tune Book , this collection provides a direct window into the repertoire of an 18th-century fiddler, featuring over 500 tunes that continue to influence the folk revival today. The History of the William Vickers Collection The heart of the book is regional music,
The book is a treasure trove of jigs, reels, rants , and both common-time and triple-time hornpipes . The History of the William Vickers Collection The
While focused on North-East England, it also captures Scottish, French, and even early Irish influences. Legacy and Modern Revival It is particularly noted for its: In 1986,
The collection is remarkably diverse, consisting of approximately categorized largely as "country dances". It is particularly noted for its:
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
For musicians looking to learn these historic dances, several digital archives provide free access to the collection's contents: The Great Northern Tune book