Early American Roots, a companion book to HESPERUS' CD of the same name, presents a cross section of popular instrumental music from the English Colonies and early Federal America; divisions, shape note hymns, country dances and cotillions, arranged for the recorder. When America was still a colony, music in the New World was a welcome link to the settlers' original home; England, Holland, France, Germany, Ireland and Scotland. During the 18th century, as the colonies became independent from England, their music reflected this new freedom in its unusual textures and dissonances. Recorders and flageolets (the wooden predecessor to the tin pennywhistle) were easily carried about and made excellent solo instruments for both the new and old styles of music. They arrived in the New World in pockets, packs and bundles.

Scott Reiss, the "mind boggling" recorder player and HESPERUS' co-director, arranges all the tunes on the audio for recorders, writing down every improvised ornament, slur and counter melody. Use this book as a technical study guide as well as a source of performing and arranging ideas. An invaluable guide to a little-known, but lively repertoire.

A Sett of Hornpipes      
A Sett of Jiggs      
About Hesperus      
About the Album: Early American Roots      
About the Music      
Acknowledgements      
Argeers      
arson's Farewell      
Bobbing Joe      
Butter'd Peas      
Ca Ira      
Captain Kidd      
Chelsea Reach      
Childgrove      
Cuckolds All in a Row      
Daniel Purcell's Ground      
Daphne      
How to Use This Book      
Introduction      
Johnny Cock Thy Beaver      
La Poulle      
Lusty Gallant      
Madison's Whim      
Nashville      
New Jersey      
Portsmouth      
Rockbridge      
Rufty Tufty      
Scotch Cap      
Spirit of Gambo      
Staines Morris      
Techniques      
The Ball      
The Colly Flower      
The Garden Hymn      
The Killerman      
The Merry Milkmaids      
The Merry Strollers      
The President's March      
The Swallow