Gypy: There's a huge difference between "New England" and "old-time", since "old-time" generally refers to southern Appalachian. Now how to detail the differences...? There are different tunes, but the same tunes might also be played somewhat differently (Soldier's Joy being one of those ubiquitous ones) -- for that you'd probably have to talk to a fiddler, which I'm not, I'm a dancer. I'd assume there are differences in bowing style. Nowadays fiddlers are more eclectic and rub up against a lot more different styles so differences get a bit blurry.

Once upon a time you could say that New England tunes were more clearly phrased than southern tunes, A and B parts might be more distinct from each other, in general.

Mel Bay's reprints of Howe's 1,000 Jigs and Reels and Ryan's Mammoth Collection both are a snapshot of tunes played in New England in the 19th century -- some of which are native, many of which are Irish, Scottish or English. The "Contra Dances" section of Howe's might be the most New Englandy. Galopede is English, and Petronella is Scottish. Galopede is a 20th century migrant, though, so I'd call it English, whereas Petronella has been here a lot longer so is truly naturalized.

I'm not sure I've said much of any use... it's a lot like "I know it when I hear it"...

~ Becky in Tucson
who got started on dancing in New England