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
Lazarus There was a little family That lived in Bethany; Two sisters and their brother Composed a family. They lived in peace and pleasure For a many a long years; They laid away their treasures Beyond this vale of tears. Yet, while they lived so happy. So pure, so kind and good, Their brother was afflicted And rued life throned in bed. The news came to the sisters. Laid Lazarus in the tomb And prayed for to comfort And drive away their gloom. When Jesus heard the tidings Low in the distant land, So slowly did he travel To meet that lonely band. When Jesus was a-coming, Mary met Him on the way And told Him how her brother Had died and passed away. He cheered her and He blessed her And told her not to weep, For in Him was the power To wake him from his sleep. When He was coming nigher, Marthy ran and met Him too And at His feet a-weeping Rehearsed the tale of woe. When Jesus saw her weeping, He fell a-weeping too And wept until they showed him Where Lazarus laid in tomb. He rolled away the cover And walked upon the ground Within full life and vigor He walked upon the ground. So if we but love Jesus And do His Holy will, Like Marthy and Mary And Lazarus use it well. From death He will redeem us And take us to the sky And bids live forever Where pleasure never dies. From Southern Folk Ballads, McNeil. Collected from Mrs. Hogan, TN, 1965. DT #647 Laws H7 RG
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!