Nick Barber's English Selection Nick Barber

"Nick Barber's English Selection" a new book by Nick Barber

This book was compiled for musicians who, though competent on their instrument, would like some help getting involved in the English folk session scene. It follows on from a previous Mally publication, Nick Barber’s English Choice.

A music session is like a conversation, and in order to take part you need certain basic tools. If you’re going to join in with the tunes you hear being played, you need to know which tunes to expect. And if you plan to learn these tunes, you will probably find a printed version of the tune useful. If you plan to start a set of tunes during a session, you need to know which tunes other musicians would be likely to know and join in with. This book aims to present a selection of tunes for this purpose.

Because there is an element of fashion in the repertoire of any session, I have tried to select tunes which have been around for years, and which no doubt will still be played for years to come. Wherever possible I have noted the sources of the tunes. If you like a particular tune, I would urge you to pursue it a little and go to the source, whether this is a manuscript, a published book, a recording or a real live musician. In the words of Barry Callaghan, “Tunes…have a life story, and have participated in the life stories of the countless musicians who have played them…they all come trailing their history.” He goes on to encourage us to “look for the life stories as we meet further tunes”.

You will notice that I have included a few tunes of French and Danish origin – these tunes have been taken on board by English session players, and are played in an English style.

Nick Barber's English Selection : Nick Barber