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Welcome
to the ezFolk Public Domain Music Library! The books listed below are
reprinted in their entirety on ezFolk. Just click on the book cover or
book name to view the book online. All of the books are in the public
domain and you can use any of the individual song arrangements or
learning materials any way you wish. Many more books will be added to
this collection as time permits.
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The
Melodies of Stephen C. Foster
Published in 1909
Limited Edition (Only 300 copies were made)
307 pages
A
collection of over 150 songs by Stephen C. Foster. The book contains
full lyrics and standard musical notation.
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Songs
of the Cowboys
Published in 1921
Compiled by N. Howard “Jack” Thorp
187 pages
The
first printed collection of cowboy songs. A classic collection printed
in 1921 that includes all of the 1908 material plus 25 songs written by
the author.
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Folk
Songs of Many Nations
Published in 1905
Collected & Edited by Louis C. Elson
171 pages
Many
folk songs of various countries including American, Austrian, Bohemian,
Castilian, Canadian, English, French, German, Irish, Italian,
Norwegian, Netherlands, Polish, Russian, Scotch, Slavonic, Swedish,
Swiss, and Welch.
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Harry
Von Tilzer’s Old Time Favorite Hits
Published in 1922
65 pages
From
the Preface: “In this wonderful collection of old time hits, you will
find ballads, waltz songs, march songs, coon songs, and novelty songs.”
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The
Tunes Dad Whistled
Published in 1921
32 pages
A
collection of 18 songs that were popular in the late 19th and early
20th century, published by The Baldwin Piano Company.
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Twenty
Kentucky Mountain Songs
Published in 1920
115 pages
A
collection of twenty traditional folk songs (with piano arrangements)
that were popular in the mountains of Kentucky. The words were
collected by Loraine Wyman, the melodies collected and piano
accompaniments added by Howard Brockway.
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The
Most Popular Songs for the Guitar
Published in 1909
128 pages
A
collection of 94 songs with guitar arrangements “in easy keys for
medium voice.” This book was published before the popularity of
tablature and even guitar chord symbols, but the arrangements are very
playable and would make excellent practice for someone who reads or is
learning to read standard guitar music.
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The
Kamiki Ukulele Method
by William J. Smith
(1922)
64 pages
An
excellent introduction to traditional Hawaiian style ukulele that
explains strokes, rolls, and other techniques. Written for D tuning and
contains chord charts and exercises in D.
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A
Practical Method for Self Instruction on the Ukulele and Banjo Ukulele
by N. B. Bailey
(1914)
38 pages
From
the Introduction: “Prepared especially for self study, great care has
been taken in giving the instructions in the simplest form and
language. By our copyrighted system no knowledge of music is necessary
and any person who will follow the instructions carefully will very
quickly acquire a proficiency which will result in much enjoyment from
the instrument.”
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Funny
Sings for Ukulele
Compiled by Franz
Yahn
(1920)
31 pages
A
collection of 17 old-time fun songs arranged for ukulele with ukulele
chord diagrams.
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National
Self Teacher
for Hawaiian Ukulele
Published in 1915
16 pages
“An
easy system by which, after slight practice, anyone can play at sight
all the popular airs and any music adapted for the instrument. No
tedious study of notes or scales is required as only the necessary
rudiments are given in condensed form.
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Songs
for the Banjo in C Notation
Published in 1919
88 pages
This
collection of 56 songs includes many old favorites and a number that
had never before been published. According to the publisher, “This is
the only song collection for banjo published in this country in C
notation. The accompaniments are effective and banjoistic, and none of
them too difficult for the average performer.”
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The
Eclipse Self Instructor for Banjo
Published in 1915
64 pages
Old-time
banjo method book for 5-string banjo written by Paul DeVille. The book
uses the key of A as the “natural” key for the banjo as well as
standard notation so it might not be too practical for today’s players,
but it provides good insight into the way things used to be done and
includes 139 banjo tunes that will be useful to some players.
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William
C. Stahl’s
New Method for Tenor Banjo
Published in 1919
70 pages
From
the Preface: “In presenting this work to the Banjo Students of America,
the author expresses the hope that it may in some degree contribute to
make the science and art of banjo playing a study of much pleasure. The
design has been, to compress in a small volume the leading principles
of practical banjo playing...”
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War
Songs
Published in 1883
96 pages
“War Songs for
anniversaries and gatherings of [Civil War] soldiers, to which is added
a selection of songs and hymns for Memorial Day. The choruses of all
the songs are arranged for male voices.”
The
book includes lyrics and music (standard notation) for 53 songs.
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Old
War Songs
Supplement to the “Acme Haversack of Patriotism and Song”
Published around 1900
64 pages
This
advertising
song
booklet contains patriotic and military songs as well as lots of
old-time advertising from businesses in the Ohio cities of Columbus,
Marion, and Bucyrus. You could get 6 meals for $1.00 at Long’s Dining
Room, a first-class room at the Bryden Hotel for $1.00, or a full set
of false teeth from a local dentist for $3.00.
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