The Best Folk Music Songbooks

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Folk music is a genre of music that is often passed down through generations. It is a genre that is often simple in form and lyrical in nature. If you are looking for the best folk music songbooks, look no further. This blog will provide you with a list of the best folk music songbooks, as well as a description of each one.

The Best Folk Music Songbooks

Folk music has been around for centuries, and it’s still as popular as ever. If you’re a fan of folk music, you might be looking for the best folk music songbooks. In this article, we’ll recommend the best songbooks for folk music lovers.

The Best Folk Music Songbooks for Beginners

If you are interested in learning folk music, there are many songbooks available that can help you get started. Below is a list of some of the best folk music songbooks for beginners.

The Best Folk Music Songbooks for Beginners
-Songs for Ukulele by Hal Leonard
-The First Book of Solos by Lois Gillespie
-Folk Songs for Solo Singers by John Jacob Niles
-Folk Songs from Many Lands by Margaret Meredith
-The Complete Book of Folk Songs by Pete Seeger

The Best Folk Music Songbooks for Intermediates

If you’re an intermediate folk musician, you might want to add some new tunes to your repertoire. Here are the best folk music songbooks for intermediates, including both traditional and contemporary tunes.

The Best Folk Music Songbooks for Intermediates:

1. The Complete Book of Irish Ballads: This collection includes over 200 traditional Irish ballads, many of which have been passed down orally for generations. It’s a great resource for both singers and instrumentalists.

2. The Best of Broadside: This songbook gathers together some of the best-loved songs from the influential 1960s folk music magazine Broadside. Highlights include Pete Seeger’s “Turn! Turn! Turn!,” Phil Ochs’s “I Ain’t Marching Anymore,” and Tom Paxton’s “The Last Thing on My Mind.”

3. Sisters & Brothers: The definitive collection of Canadian folk songwriter Stan Rogers’s work, this songbook features such classics as “Northwest Passage” and “Barrett’s Privateers.”

4. Woody Guthrie Songbook: A must-have for any fan of American folk music, this songbook contains over 100 songs written by legendary singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie. Among the many classics included are “This Land Is Your Land” and “Roll On, Columbia.”

The Best Folk Music Songbooks for Advanced Players

The Best Folk Music Songbooks for Advanced Players is a compilation of the best folk songs for those who have mastered the basics. This book includes both traditional and contemporary songs, as well as a variety of genres to keep you challenged and engaged. With over 100 songs to choose from, you’ll find something for every occasion.

The Best Folk Music Songbooks by Region

Folk music is a genre that encompasses a wide range of styles, from traditional ballads and sea shanties to more modern styles like country and bluegrass. There are many great folk music songbooks out there, but which ones are the best? In this article, we’ll take a look at the best folk music songbooks by region.

The Best Folk Music Songbooks from the British Isles

The British Isles have a long and rich tradition of folk music, and there are many great songbooks that have been published over the years. Here are some of the best:

The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs: This classic anthology includes over 300 songs from across the British Isles, including both traditional songs and more modern versions. It’s a great starting point for anyone interested in exploring the folk music of the British Isles.

The Oxford Book of Welsh Traditional Verse: This collection includes over 200 poems and verses from Wales, ranging from the medieval period to the present day. It’s a great way to explore the rich history and culture of Wales through its folk music.

The Faber Book of Irish Ballads: This songbook includes over 150 ballads from Ireland, both traditional and modern. It’s a great way to enjoy the beautiful music of Ireland while also learning about its history and culture.

The Folk Songs of England, Scotland, and Ireland: This three-volume set is one of the most comprehensive collections of folk songs from the British Isles. It includes over 1,000 songs, ranging from traditional ballads to more modern versions.

The Best Folk Music Songbooks from the United States

1. “The Anthology of American Folk Music” – Edited by Harry Smith

2. “Folk Songs of North America” – Edited by Alan Lomax

3. “Fifty Selected Songs for Voice and Guitar” – Pete Seeger

4. “American Folk Songs for Christmas” – Edited by Stephen Winick

5. “The American Negro Spirituals” – James Weldon Johnson

6. “Folk Songs of the Hills” – Kendall Morse

The Best Folk Music Songbooks from Europe

Whether you want to learn about the music of a specific country or region, or you’re looking for the perfect song to play on your next road trip, these are the best folk music songbooks from Europe.

Ireland: The Complete Book of Irish Folk Songs
If you’re looking for a comprehensive collection of Irish folk songs, look no further than The Complete Book of Irish Folk Songs. This book includes over 200 songs from all over Ireland, ranging from traditional ballads to drinking songs and rebel anthems. You’ll also find information on the history and origins of each song, as well as tips on how to play them.

England: The Oxford Book of English Folk Songs
The Oxford Book of English Folk Songs is another great option for those interested in learning about the traditional music of England. This book contains over 300 songs, both traditional and modern, from all across England. You’ll find everything from ballads and carols to sea shanties and Morris dance tunes.

Scotland: The Scots Traditional Music Society Songbook
The Scots Traditional Music Society Songbook is the perfect choice for those interested in the folk music of Scotland. This book includes over 400 songs, both traditional and modern, from all over Scotland. You’ll find everything from ballads and love songs to Christmas carols and drinking tunes.

Wales: Welsh Folk Songs & Carols
Welsh Folk Songs & Carols is a great choice for those interested in the traditional music of Wales. This book includes over 300 songs, both traditional and modern, from all over Wales. You’ll find everything from ballads and love songs to Christmas carols and Welsh hymns.

The Best Folk Music Songbooks by Genre

Folk music has been around for centuries and has been a huge part of many cultures. There are many different genres of folk music, and each one has its own unique sound. If you’re looking for the best folk music songbooks, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the best songbooks for each genre of folk music.

The Best Folk Music Songbooks for Celtic Music

If you love Celtic music, then you’ll want to check out the best folk music songbooks for this genre. Here are some of the top titles:

The Best Irish Songs & Ballads: A Collection of over 300 Folk Songs, Traditional Songs & Pub Songs
The Best Scottish Songs & Ballads: A Collection of over 300 Folk Songs, Traditional Songs & Pub Songs
Celtic Music: 3rd Edition – The Essential Collection of Over 200 Irish, Scottish and Welsh Classics
The Great Irish Songbook: 50 Classic Irish Folk Songs
The Great Scottish Songbook: 50 Classic Scottish Folk Songs
Wales – The land of my father’s people: 100 traditional Welsh folk songs

The Best Folk Music Songbooks for Bluegrass Music

Bluegrass music is a type of American roots music that has its origins in the Appalachian Mountains. Bluegrass is usually played on acoustic instruments such as guitars, banjos, fiddles, and mandolins. The music often has a fast tempo and features complex harmonies and solos.

There are many great songbooks that feature bluegrass music. Some of the best include:

-The Bluegrass Fakebook by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman
-The Real Book of Bluegrass by Peter Kurnick
-The Big Book of Bluegrass Songs by Hal Leonard Publishing Company
-The New Pocket Bluegrass Songbook by Larry Rice

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced bluegrass musician, these songbooks will help you learn new songs and hone your skills.

The Best Folk Music Songbooks for Old-Time Music

There are many ways to categorize folk music, but one of the most popular is by genre. While some songbooks focus on a specific genre, others mix and match songs from different genres to create a more diverse selection.

Old-time music is a genre of folk music that originated in the southern United States in the late 19th century. It’s influenced by English, Irish, Scottish and African American traditions, and often features banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin. If you’re looking for the best old-time music songbook, here are some great options:

The Old-Time Music Songbook: Over 200 Songs from Appalachia and Beyond – This songbook features over 200 songs from Appalachia and beyond, perfect for any old-time music lover. It includes classics like “I’ll Fly Away” and “Sally Ann”, as well as more obscure tunes like “Hog Eyed Man” and “Buck Dancer’s Choice”.

Fiddle Tunes & Folk Songs for Solo Guitar – This book is perfect for guitarists who want to add some old-time flavor to their playing. It includes over 60 tunes arranged for solo guitar, with versions in standard notation and tablature.

The 5-String Banjo Fakebook – This book is perfect for banjo players of all levels, with over 150 traditional tunes arranged specifically for 5-string banjo. You’ll find classics like “Cripple Creek” and “Soldier’s Joy”, as well as less well-known tunes like “Johnny Has Gone For A Soldier” and “Brownskin Gal”.

Old Time Music Made Easy: Fiddle Tunes & Songs For Beginners – This book is designed specifically for beginners who want to learn how to play old-time music. It includes over 50 easy arrangements of traditional tunes, with both standard notation and tablature included.

Whatever your skill level or favorite old-time tunes, there’s an old-time music songbook out there that’s perfect for you!

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