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
I Live Not Where I Love (2) Loyal lovers, that are distant From your sweethearts, many a mile, Pray come and help me at this instant In mirth to spend away the while Singing sweetly and completely In commendation of my love Resolving ever to part never Though I live not where I love My constancy shall ne'er be failing Whatso'er betide me here, Of her virtue I'll be telling Be my biding far or near And though blind fortune prove uncertain From her presence me to remove Yet I'll be constant every instant Though I live not where I love Thouh our bodies thus are parted, And asunder many a mile, Yet I vow to be true-hearted And be faithful all the while. Though with mine eye I cannot spy For distance great my dearest love, My heart is with her all together Though I live not where I love The birds shall leave their airy region The fishes in the air shall fly, All the world shall be one religion All living things shall cease to die All things shall change to shapes most strange, Above that I disloyal prove, Or any way my love decay, Though I live not where I love original version atributed to Martin Parker, c1630s. [tune: I live not where I love] WBO oct97
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!