The Kings Band - both in dance and playing for fun - uses tunes from a number of sources. Some are from the dance manuals of earlier eras, others reflect the wide past experience of playing the traditional tunes of other countries. For some of them I have put up the MIDI file of the tune as many players welcome the chance to hear the overall tune before grappling with the dots.
Some of the other tunes provided here have been written in recent times and some have been played in sessions at the Star Inn at East Tytherley along with many of the more common tunes which can be found in many a session tune book and on sites such as folk tune finder. Below is a selection in PDF format of many of those which have been arranged. As a collection there's easily enough for a good dance evening or for playing in a pub session. Where possible the attribution is acknowledged but the site admin will be pleased to hear of any corrections.
Retreats. A set of traditional tunes but given numbers as a set for dancing to some thirty years back by the Kings Hat Band in the era of folk rock.
(The) Abbess. Smashing slow tune written by Andy Cutting recalling a favourite hound. Watch out for the 6/4 bar in the B part. Click here for the MIDI file.
Abbots Bromley Horn Dance. Intriguing.
Isle of Aigas. A trad air. This setting has an approximate harmony part.
Almodovy. Intriguing tune from the noodling of Rick Bush which switches between major and minor keys. Play it vigorously and fast.
Anne Maguire. Pleasant tune by John McCusker
Athol Highlanders. A traditional four part jig in G which is usually played rapidly for dance. Often it's set in the key of A - it's a pipe tune. For unphrased dance we follow this with Drops of Brandy - a tune in 9/8 - which speeds up.
At Last. A simple jig intended for dance (written by AM-W). The B part has a variation written out and can be played twice to yield a useful 48 bar dance tune. We use it with the Black Horse Jig.
Autumn Sky. A excellent tune from the playing of Bottine Souriante. Played as an air. Feel adventurous ? then play it all a tone up in E - they can!. Click here for the MIDI file.
The Ball and Captain Lanoe's. A pair of jigs (traditional) which we use in dances.
Balkan time out. A mixed time signature set which is played furiously fast. AM-W transcribed this from somewhere deep in memory so if you know where it comes from do say, Click here for the MIDI file.
Balkan trilogy. Taken from a recording by Phil Pickett and an assortment of players of genuinely old material. This dates from 1578. Play furiously!
The Battersea Waltz D. and in G. A tune from the playing of David Williams senior. The recording from which this is transcribed has Williams senior playing a full set of decorations.
Battle of the Somme. This in C for C concertinas and for the deeper fiddle note but it's easy enough to play by ear in D. The way I hear it it has a 6/8 bar in the middle of a 9/8. Every other transcription seems not to do the tune justice and this one no doubt also fails.
Bean Fields. A tune in the style of an air though it's not truly tradtional. For a fiddler it will necessitate playing out of first position but it's not that difficult.
Belo Horizonte. Named after a town in Brazil this tune has a challenge for fiddlers rooted in the first position - solution; play it an octave lower!
The Black Horse. A jig written by Allen Mornington-West with a Playford feel to it on account of the Bmi/F# at the end of the first A. Great fun to improvise with too. Played for dance it can be followed with At Last (play this as a usual 32 bar jig).
The Black Nag (Playford). A specifc tune for a specific dance so be waray about playing 2A+2B. It's really 2A +B.
Boadicea. Written by Dave Swarbrick. Deceptive to achieve his sense of timing and pitch.
Boda waltz. Origin I think is traditional. The harmony is one of thousands that could be created. The harmony in the B part is a bit tricky so the MIDI file may help.
Boite a Frisson. Or Frisky Box - a loose translation. Written by J Blanchard. A neat twist in timing of the notes makes this a tune that many find deceptively tricky.
Bowley's Reel. A curious reel whose B part is 24 bars long and then repeated. Written for Di Bowley's 60th anniversary.
Boys of the Lough + Salamanca. Two traditional irish reels; great for airing the fingers at the start of a session.
Brand Pers Christiansens Waltz. A trad swedish tune. Good fun to play.
Caliphornia Hornpipe + Humours of Kintbury. The first is traditional the second is by John Shepherd and, when played for dance used to be called Sod the Caller - it's the syncopations what does them!. The B part has alternatives which can be played harmoniously - or not!
Calliope House + Blarney. Two jigs with an irish connection the second of which has three parts.
Catch a Cat + Mc Brides. A pair of jigs the second of which is traditional but the first by accordionist Vikki Swann does not so easily fall under the fingers - for me at least!
Charlie Harris' polka + Finnish polka. A pair of straight polkas with an irish feel to them which were played in a recent session at the Star Inn.
Cheshire Waltz. Actually written in 3/8 time and a three part waltz to boot.
Claire Ward's Real. And she is. Played slowly it has great scope for improvisation and expression.
(Sir Roger de) Coverley. A traditional 9/8 tune used for dance and often speedy playing.
Deoracht. From the playing of Niamh ni Chara. A highly dotted jig played at steady pace. Kokopelli play it without the repeats.
Delahunty + Dunphy Hornpipes. A pair of traditional hornpipe tunes.
Don't Guess. A hornpipe which starts innocently enough but the B part does something nutty in shifting key.
Dreams. A tune from a band I'm told was called Gor Jus Rex. Andy Holton transcribed this in 9/8 as it brings out the timing well. There's a harmony line for the B part.
Emma + County Down. This is a traditional set of tunes which can be used on their own but which we use to build up a song Star of County Down.
(the) Fairoak Hornpipe. Suitable for any hormpipe style dance. This version in G but D and A are just as good.
(the) Falmouth Assembly + New Rigged Ship. Dance jig tunes.
Far from home. I guess it's a reel; it was heard and noted but apologies if it has a known composer. The arrangement here is ideal for playing three times through and then using the coda. You could play it more or less often, of course. The C#mi chord in bar 12 is tenuto and was intended to be an open form of C#mi for the guitar accompaniment and which comes out more like an Amaj7 ... so it needs to be a slight feature as it's not what would usually be there. Click here for the MIDI file.
(Theme for a ) Found Harmonium. The original Penguin Cafe tune has been adopted as if it were a trad folk tune - it is not - and it has a minimalist feel to it too. But in course of adoption it has become slightly changed to fit tradional precepts. Melodeonists like this tune - apparently - but it's useful to agree how it's going to be played first particularly the accidentals.
(The) Fumble Dance. John Spiers wrote this tune and it was learnt at a melodeon workshop by Dick Gurney. Click here for the MIDI file.
Gallopede + Winster Gallop + Rakes of Mallow. Dance tunes
Grandad's polka set. A set of three trad polkas for dance or playing.
Grindhansjasspolska. It may be worth listening to Andy Cuttings play this tune from the Dalavna Rattvik area (look it up using Spotify for example) as the timing is quite tricky.
(les) Grumeaux Chaudes. Andy MackKenzie wrote this tune. Kokopelli - a local group - play it in one of a set of tunes where its brisk performance adds some snap.
Haies Mouillees. A slow tune in 3/4 time written by Allen Mornington-West from a phrase by Rick Bush (the first two bars). The title means Damp Hedgerows. There's an approximate harmony part and the chords should be played with care.
Hamnataing. From the playing of Fiddler's Bid and written by Chris Stout and relates to the Isle of Hamnataing in the area where they live. It's also the name of a fine album. I hope that the notation does justice to the tune. The harmony for the B part should be considered work in progress as the one used on the recording was too subtle for me to unravel.
Hare of the Rabbit + Loose Hornpipe. First tune by Ben Woodward and the second by Simon Care and played on the Albion Dance Band album I Got New Shoes (1988). For dance or playing.
Haste to the Wedding and Here's to the Maiden. A pair of lively trad 6/8 tunes we use for dances.
(Sweet) Hesley Side + West End. A pair of, what sounds like anyway, traditional English tunes.
Holyrood House. Not sure of the true parentage of this item and the bar of 6/4 in the B part is not common in folk music. The harmony part is fun though.
Hope Bowdler Song. Written by XX. There is a place called Hope Bowdler near Church Stretton, Salop.
Horga Laten. A swedish three part tune and one of a series which are played a CD by the title of Fiolen Min.
Hanter Dro. A challenge to play. This is a Breton tune for the Hanter Dro dance (Pays Vannetais in the south east of Brittany). See also the An Dro dance.
If you will not. Fascinating trad english tune in 3/2 time.
Jeu de Deux Havres. For those that like their football musically. Written by Allen Mornington-West after the Kings Band had played in Le Havre.
Josephine Butterfield. Andy Howes wrote this tune at the birth of Josephine back in 1987. It was then played at her wedding. If, as a fiddler, you can play in position then there is a superlative roundness of tone which suits this tune greatly. Note the D to Dmi chord change in the B part - very effective - as few guitarists notice it until too late when the fiddler plays the A + F diad and they're stuck on A+F#.
Keel Row + Kafoozalum. The Kings Band plays Keel Row in D then in G before moving to Kafoozalum and raising the tempo a little - usually introducing a reggae feel to the beat.
Kesh Jig and Swaggering jig. Both traditoinal but the second is in 9/8 time. I credit the Bothy Band for introducing these some 30 years back. Locally we're likely to play the Rakes of Kildare in between the two of these tunes.
Kilfenora + Mooncoin. Kilfenora is a 7 part jig and goes well with Mooncoin.
Landes + Watts Up. Landes is a dance tune from the Auvergne (France for anyone reading this living outside Europe). Watts Up is a team written tune in memory of Roy Watts (1930 - 2008).
Laride. A Breton (Pays Vannetais) dance tune for the laride dance. The harmony line is by Lyndon McKenzie (click here for the MIDI file). Dave Shepehrd writes (The Breton Dance and Tune Book, 1989, DragonFly Music) noting two (very different) tunes for the dance with their variations. On in 2/2 time (Laride a huit temps) and the other on 3/2 time (Laride a six temps). The second of these tunes starts in 3/2 but the variations have bars in 6/4, 5/4, 7/4 - cross rhythmns against the dance step clearly!
Lark in the Morning + Tenpenny Bit. A traditional four part jig and a classic standard to follow it.
L'inconnu de Limoise. A french tune introduced to me via the Minced Head sessions with chris Townsend.
Lemmy Brazil's Nr2. It's trad in the sense that it's been handed down by being played often. From the playing of Lementitia Brazil - a gypsy who lived in the Forest of Dean (UK). It's a tune which has a lot of swing in it. There's also Lemmy's nr1.
Londonderry + Trumpet hornpipes. Both traditional; the first has seven parts though sometimes these collapse to four - depends on memoruy. The second is pure theatre if played with verve - it's often known as the Captain Pugwash theme tune.
Lovely Nancy + La Marianne + Valse a Eric. Three great waltzes - the last two distinctly french.
Lord Mayo + Rights of Man. The first is a march and really should be played as such and not raced through. The second is a hornpipe which could be partnered with teh Shan van Vocht.
Macedonian Uro. OK it's in 7/8 but it is plaintive and great fun to play.
Maguire and Patterson. A waltz at medium speed which is often played followed by the Ook Pik Waltz (qv).
Michael's Mazurka. A tune written by Michael Ferrie which has a Carolan feel to it. The second fiddle line is more counter melody so the guitar part has a bit more work to do than simply run through the chords; and they're better played arpeggiated rather than strummed.
Monaghan and Butterfly. A set in which teh butterfly is a 9/8 companion.
Mrs Marriott. A medium paced jig for playing in A. And to do so you'll need to go out of first position. Written by Dave Swarbrick for his mentor Beryl Marriott.
Morgan Rattler. A three part jig this particular variant is declared by Fernando Schwausch of the Kings Band to be the Sheffield version.
Nancy's Waltz. Chris Romaine wrote this waltz.
New South Wales. A further air by Dave Swarbrick. The B part will move you out of first positon - fiddlers be aware!
Ohrid. This is a 4 part tune in 7/8 time from Ohrid in Macedonia. I've noted it from the playing of companion fiddler Rick Bush and I've added a second melody or harmony line which may work for some. Chording is a challenge; it's not so much what is played but, rather, how it's played.
Old Lancashire hornpipe. A great trad tune in 3/2 time. Not quite what we would usually expect a hornpipe to be.
Old Wet Rag. A raggy style tune which can be played easily too fast to enjoy. It has a wide range (on the fiddle) from G through to D 31/2 octaves up and some chromatic runs to boot.
Ook Pik Waltz. Often played with Maguire and Patterson (qv).
(Chez) Paulette. A waltz in a french style and not really as tricky as it looks.
Pauvre Catherine. Written by Allen Mornington-West. The harmony part can be fun and you can skip the introduction with its arpeggiated diminished scale.
Pleasures of Salisbury + The Moon and Seven Stars. Both English jigs though the second tune is quoted as an 18th century tune in a collection of English, Scots and Irish airs arranged by Constance Mullins for descant recorder and published in 1948.
Poet of Tolstoy Park. Excellent tune from the playing or Mithral and very likely the composition of one of their members (apologies for the inexact attribution). The harmony part is great to play with. The introduction should be played and a little more slowly than the main piece.
Pot Luck. A reel by Allen Mornington-West which probably best played briskly.
Presbyterian Hornpipe. A tradiional hornpipe tune in 6/4 (or 3/2). Chorded - or is it arranged - and with more appropriate phrasing.
Redicans + Chapel Bell. A brace of traditonal irish jigs.
Ribbon Dance + Welsh Girls. Written by John Shepherd a stately pair of jigs for dancing to.
Ringrioningspolka + Bluebell Polka. Great tunes for dance. The first is a swedish polka the second is quite comonly known.
Romy Therese. A haunting but simple melody in reel time.
Roundabout. An odd jig if only because the B part is a little longer that the usual 16 bars and may catch the innocent listener unawares.
Round the Corner + Dawn Chorus. Andy Cutting once more I believe.
Ruban Bleu. A set of three bourees from the Auvergne. Ruban Bleu, Bouree des Dindes and Les Moutons. Played for dance they're just as fast.
Sailing through the Narrows. A tune by John McCusker. Nice B part.
Sally Gally. A jig with unusual timing which can be neatly played with Blarney (qv) to follow.
Sally Gardens + Dobrys. A pair of tradional irish reels.
Sergeant Early's Dream + Maids of Mitchellstown + ril gan ainm. Sergeant Early's tune is repeated within this set in a different key and with the B part subtly different.
Shetland Molecule. This is probably also written by John McCusker
Shiuli. Don't know much about this tune. It was played to me by Rick Bush and I think it comes from the playing of Seamus McGuire. We usually rallentando a trifle at the end of each second B part before starting the A once more. An approach to the finish is by playing the A part and slowing up at the end.
Sligo Maid and Mountain Road. A pair of reels with the second tune (at least) by Michael Gorman.
Soldiers Joy + Roxboro Castle. A pair of classic tradional hornpipes.
The Star March. In honour of the Star Inn. A march ...
(the) Stockmans Jig + Lass o' Dalogill. Great dance tunes which the Kings Band uses often for circassian circle.
Strathspey. A slow tune to be played quite staccato.
Swiss Boy. A jaunty tune which was played within the English tunes group.
Tango de Treguier. Written by Rick Bush and played zip fast. It has a french bourree feel to it.
Tenpenny Bit. Classic jig which I've set in Ami and Emi in order to suit fiddles or melodeons. Of course real musicians could play in either key ...
Thrush in the Straw + Poor Robin;'s Maggot + Old Nolls Jig. The first is irish trad and the following pair are Playford 1649. Old Noll's has that magic semi classical music feel to the B part. Play vigourously.
Tico Tico (No Fubar). This is a latin american tune written by Zequinha Abreu. As it's still in copyright I hope I've treated it with respect as I made slight changes to bars 186 and 187. Look up the wikipedia page for more info. Written in 1917 and originally, it seems, in Bmi (Bmi >> D major >> E major). It's here in Gmi (Gmi >> Bb >> G major) as it is a little easier for a fiddler (and probably not so difficult for a whizz on the keyboard or the button accordion as seemingly played on Firefly CD by MISE: from whose playing it was taken). However it may help to have the MIDI files - slow here and faster here - to hand. There are words also portuguese words to it. The english translation has not an iota of relevance and misses what is probably a finely made sexual reference.
Virgina reels. A set of four trad american reels. The tunes are so similar that it's been really useful to have the notes to hand when playing for dance.
Well Laboured Jig. Originally written to go at the end of an arrangement of The Bonny Labouring Boy.
Weyhill Fair and Spirit of the Dance. Both trad tunes used for dance. T'is said that Spirit of the Dance was a favourite of Thomas Hardy.
When Daylight Shines + Weasel in the Grass. Two tunes we use for dance. The first by John Kirkpatrick and the second by Gas Mk IV.
Young Collins + Jamaica. Young Collins is a dance version of the morris tune and Jamaica, I believe, has a heritage which reaches back to Playford (perhaps someone can confirm this). We usually play Jamaica with a strong reggae beat - makes for good dancing.