A word of caution: Cape Breton fiddle music is best learned by ear. Although detailed sheet music and sound files are provided here for learning the basics of a tune be aware that the tune may sound a little different played live. The sheet music provides the melody of a tune, and while some common ornamentation such as a 'cut' may be occasionally notated, in general the fiddler is encouraged to add to the sound with their own selection of ornamentation. In addition the rhythm pattern played may be slightly different that the dotted notes in the sheet music would have you believe. The best way to really learn these tunes is to come out and play along with us at either a house or pub session. You would be more than welcome!

To really capture the Cape Breton flavour of a tune, it is best to hear it played by a Cape Breton fiddler. Use Alan Snyder's Cape Breton Fiddle Recording Index to locate publicly available recordings containing the tune you are interested in. The index also returns the first few bars of the tune in notation and midi, it is very helpful when you know a tune but can't quite get it started (it happens to us all!).

Download copies of the tunes in our sets. Click to see and hear, right-click and "save target" to download.

Whats New?

2010-08-31: Updated a few incorrect notes in Set #36 Johnny Cope. Added new tune Sweetness of Mary to Set #9.

2010-05-17: Added Set 40 Denis Lanctot's Falcon Bigney Set

2010-03-24: Notation for the set of tunes taught by Troy MacGillivray at the OCBS workshop on Feb. 20. A Winston Jig/Kathleen's Jig/John Campbell Strathspey/Lady Georgina Campbell.

2010-02-16: Set 19 revised version of Dublin Reel; Set 29 removed Banjo Jig; Set 34 revised version of Broken Lantern; Set 20 fixed missing lines at bottom of page 2. Added Set 38 which in the past used to be posted as Set 20. Sets 8 tunes haven't changed but it isnow printed larger over two pages instead of one.

2010-01-15: Added new Set 37.