For years fiddlers and folklorists have prized the old-time fiddle tunes from Kentucky. Many of the most outstanding country music artists hail from the state, including Bill Monroe, widely regarded as the founder of bluegrass music. Even Aaron Copland lifted, note-for-note, a Kentucky fiddler’s performance of “Bonaparte’s Retreat” for the “Hoedown” section of his ballet Rodeo.

That tune and nearly 200 others are transcribed here, most for the first time. They are taken from recordings of Kentucky fiddlers, many of whom were born before 1900, practitioners of a style of playing now extremely rare. Jeff Todd Titon places the tunes in their historical context, provides biographical sketches of the performers, and offers suggestions for contemporary fiddlers who want to use the book for performance. A compact disc of recordings is also included.

Jeff Todd Titon, professor of music and director of the Ph.D. program in ethnomusicology at Brown University, is the author of numerous books on American music, including Early Downhome Blues.

Reviews:“All scholars interested in American fiddling ought to have this volume, as should those fiddlers and other aficionados who are music literate.”—Ethnomusicology “Reveals the wealth of old-time fiddling in Kentucky. . . . A treasure trove of music for performers, aficionados, and professional researchers.”—Journal of Folklore Research
“The CD on its own would be one of the best old-time records of the year. The book-CD combination constitutes an event.”—Fiddler Magazine
“An indispensable resource for fiddlers, folklorists, and fans alike, Old-Time Kentucky Fiddle Tunes is a quality production front to back. Titon’s efforts should go a long way toward preserving the wonderful music for future generations.”—Bluegrass Now
"This rich material has long appealed to listeners, players, and researchers, but the vastness of the subject has made it challenging to find an authoritative, comprehensive discussion of fiddling in this state. Old-Time Kentucky Fiddle Tunes admirably ameliorates this problem. Titon's work is a major contribution."—Journal of Folklore Research
“One of the most fabulous books I’ve seen in years.”—Maple Leaf Rag
“A marvelous preservation of Kentucky’s heritage. Titon’s insight into this nearly-lost form of Kentucky music makes this anthology an important reference for Kentucky fiddlers.”—Paintsville Herald
“One of the few hardcover books about traditional American fiddling. . . . Since most of the material has never been commercially available, the enclosed CD is a critical asset.”—Sing Out!
“A hardcover tour de force of Kentucky old-time music.”—Greenmanreview.com
“Like the transcribed tunes, the sketches are like snapshots of undiscovered art from another age.”—Lexington Herald-Leader
“A major contribution to preserving this fading art form.”—Appalachian Quarterly
“For the fiddler who wishes to understand fiddle music, regardless of the geographic place of origin, Titon’s book is an excellent resource.”—American String Teacher
“A valuable contribution to the study of America’s instrumental folk music traditions.”—Appalachian Heritage
“Written for listeners, players, and researchers, Titon’s compilation is an essential acquisition.”—Choice
“An admirable encyclopedic digest of the lore of an important folk tradition . . . colorful and revealing.”—Jim Birchfield
“Documents this remarkable Kentucky folk heritage in an engaging way that will appeal to musicians and scholars throughout the country.”—Ron Pen
“Nearly 200 fiddle tunes are transcribed, most for the first time.”—Kentucky Monthly

“When an admirable study such as this recent work comes along, the intimate link between Kentucky and its music rightly becomes a matter for celebration.”—Journal of Appalachian Studies

“An exemplary work that should be found in every music library.”—Music Library Association Notes

"A significant achievement in scholarship on old-time performance practice in the upland South."--American Music