This notation is pretty simple; dark circles mean covered holes; empty circles mean uncovered holes; a '+' below means to blow harder to get the upper octave; a '#' below means this note is too low for the whistle chosen and you'll have to fake it :) The author of this program always plays accidentals by closing holes, so you'll never see half-covered holes.
When I was starting, I found notation like this to be very helpful, and I know plenty of people who have trouble reading music who find this notation easier. Good luck!
(This score available as
ABC,
SongWright,
PostScript,
PNG, or
PMW, or
a MIDI file)
(Choose a whistle key:
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
Ab
Bb
Cb
Db
Eb
Fb
Gb
A#
B#
C#
D#
E#
F#
G#)
Dulcimer tab
for this song is also available
When Wild War'd Deadly Blast (Robert Burns) When wild war's deadly blast was blawn, And gentle peace returning, Wi' mony a sweet babe fatherless And mony a widow mourning. I left the lines and tented field Where lang I'd been a lodger My humble knapsack all my wealth A poor but honest sodger. At length I reached the bonnie glen Where early life I sported; I pass'd the mill and trysting thorn Where Nancy oft I courted. Wha spied I but my ain dear maid Down by her mother's dwelling, And turn'd me round to hide the flood That in my e'e was swelling. She gazed, she redden'd like a rose Syne pale as any lily, She sank within my arms and cried, "Art thou my ain dear Willie?" "By Him that made you sun and sky By whom true love's regarded I am the man! And thus may still True lovers be rewarded." "The wars are owre, an' I've come hame And find the still true-hearted; Tho' poor in gear, we're rich in love And mair we'se ne'er be parted." Quoth she, "My grand-sire left me gowd A mailin plenished fairly Then come, my faithful sodger lad Thou'rt welcome to it dearly." RG
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!