The Celtic Tune Book:
With 355 Celtic tunes and 42 tune sets. The book is in alphabetical order to make it easier to find tunes. Sets are now at the back of the book and the tunes in the sets are duplicated so that they can still be found individually in the alphabetical section.
Celtic Tune Book – PDF
You can read this file with a standard PDF reader, usually there is already one installed on your phone, tablet or computer. All tunes are indexed and bookmarked. So you can click on the bookmark an quickly pull up the selected tune.
Celtic Tune Book – ABC
This is the ultimate version of the tunes. A computer can display, play and print the tunes. If you wish you can also sort the tunes by title, type, meter or key. Or you can transpose and vary the speed of playback. A great tool for learning tunes by ear or by reading.
Book Version 25.1 – updated on 2/19/2023
Here is our current set list for the Wednesday Night Session at Tugboat Annies.
Using the Session Tunes on your Tablet, Phone or Computer
Our session books are available in two formats PDF and ABC Notation. With the PDF version you can read it with Adobe Acrobat Reader on any system just like you would read any PDF document. The tunes are indexed using bookmarks, so you can quickly find your tune and jump to that page.
With the ABC Notation format it is much more versatile. When the software is installed, you can read the sheet music and also have your phone play the tune back for you to hear the rhythm and melody, or play along with it for practice. You can slow it down or speed it up and even transpose the music with a few clicks. To use the ABC version of the Session Book first install one of the software solutions below, then download the ABC Session Book.
EasyABC
ABC Reader for Windows (Free)
You can download “EasyABC” for free at:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/easyabc/
“EasyABC” for Windows
This free program for Microsoft Windows systems displays the music on your screen. If you push the play button it will give you a count in beat then play the melody and chords. You can also adjust the speed of the tune, So you can start out slow while you are learning the tune, then pick up the pace until you can play at session speed. Each note is highlighted as it is played, making it easy to find your place. it uses ABC notation so you can easily add new tunes from thesession.org or abcnotation.com
“A La Mode” for Android Phone or Tablet
An Android app for organizing, viewing, playing and transposing ABC tunes. With this you can always have you music at hand. A new feature now displays mandolin or whistle tab for the tunes. Notes are also highlighted as they are played.
“TunePal” for Apple, Android or Web
An abc player and query-by-playing search engine from Bryan Duggan which runs on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad & android devices. Also a free online service.
O’Neill’s Music of Ireland
ABC Format
Celtic Tune Book Incipits is here:
This book displays incipits of the first 2-3 measures of each tune of the larger book to help remind you to how a tune starts. Making it easier to pick a tune during session. It is in PDF format and you can print it using the book setting so it will make a half page sized booklet. Or just store the PDF on your phone.
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