On taking up a musical instrument, it is only natural for the beginner to want to reap some rewards as quickly as possible. After all, music is for the enjoyment of the player, as well as the listener. Dave Mallinson has compiled this book to give beginners and novices an accessible source of easy tunes. These easy, but interesting, tunes will give enormous pleasure to both player and listener. Only 14 notes are required to play all 101 tunes, which are suitable for all melody instruments. As an extra learning aid, a soundtrack containing all 101 tunes has been specially prepared by Mally playing melodeon, accompanied by Alistair Russell on guitar.

Dave Mallinson has been known as Mally since his first day at school. He has been involved in music since the age of nine when he learned to play the recorder. In his mid teens he played the pop music of the era on guitar, but his interest was always little more than half-hearted. In his late teens he discovered folk music but still the guitar was unable to inspire him.

At the age of twenty two, Mally discovered the melodeon and immediately felt the musical stimulation he had unconsciously been seeking for many years. Practice was no longer a chore, it was his favourite occupation, an addiction even.

Although starting late in life makes virtuoso status unattainable, it is still possible to reach a good standard. Mally, through lengthy practice, hard work and dogged determination, has managed to achieve a high level of competence and has become a well respected player. However, his constant struggle to maintain his skill makes his days as a beginner never seem far away. He is well able to recognise, and is very much aware of, the problems and difficulties facing beginners and novices.

During the early days of learning a musical instrument, many budding musicians fall by the wayside. They soon tire of playing the same half dozen tunes over and over again and, because they are unable to find other suitable melodies to sustain their interest, they drop out. To prevent boredom getting the upper hand, it is necessary to quickly build up a reasonably sized repertoire. Mally has identified 101 simple, but interesting, tunes and presents them here to increase your chances of success. This book will help you quickly boost your repertoire and give you many hours of enjoyment in the process.
 
Contents
 
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Coulter's Candy
D’ Ye Ken John Peel?
Shepherds’ Hey
Skip to My Lou
Polly Put the Kettle On
Little Brown Jug
Bobby Shaftoe
Loch Lomond
Good Night Ladies
Winster Processional
South Australia
Country Gardens
British Grenadiers
In and Out the Windows
Donkey Riding
Bluebells of Scotland
Red River Valley
Egan's Polka
Young Collins
The Yellow Rose of Texas
Oh Suzanna
I Have a Bonnet Trimmed with Blue
Buffalo Girls
Shoe the Donkey
Monk's March
Billy Boy
Balance the Straw
Shave the Donkey
Winster Gallop
Rattlin' Bog
Vandals of Hammerwich
Bonny Green Garters
Bobbing Around
Nelly Bligh
Kafoozalum
Coming Round the Mountain
Black Joke
We're No Awa' tae Bide Awa'
Lizzie Lindsay
The Buffoon
Constant Billy
Lads a Bunchum
Believe Me, If All those Endearing Young Charms
My Bonny Lies Over the Ocean
Blaydon Races
Portsmouth
Ye Banks and Braes o' Bonny Doon
I’ll Tell Me Ma
Camptown Races
The Keel Row
There's Nae Guid Luck Aboot the Hoose
Yankee Doodle
Banbury Bill
I Wanna Be Near You
The South Wind
Liza Jane
Uncle Reuben
Sweet Jenny Jones
Uncle Bernard's
Princess Royal
Roddy McCorley
The Wild Colonial Boy
Planxty Fanny Power
The Barren Rocks of Aden
Davy Davy Knick Knack
John Ryan's Polka
ralee Gaol
Maggie in the Wood
Keep Your Feet Still Geordie Hinny
Log Cabin
Astley's Ride
Rosin the Beau
Peat Fire Flame
Three Around Three
Click Go the Shears
Waltzing Matilda
The Huntsmens' Chorus
Cock o' the North
Scotland the Brave
Salmon Tails Up the Water
Dingle Regatta
A Hundred Pipers
The Perfect Cure
Brighton Camp
Jenny Lind
Jimmy Allen
Drops of Brandy
The Muckin' o' Geordie's Byre
My Love, She's but a Lassie Yet
Rakes of Mallow
The Rose Tree
Speed the Plough
The Wiltshire Six Hand Reel
Off She Goes
Oyster Girl
The New Rigged Ship
The Curly-Headed Ploughboy
Buttered Peas