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
Farewell to Old Bedford Farewell to Old Bedford, I'm bound for to leave you Likewise those pretty girls I nevermore shall see; My portion is small but I truly confess it What little I have, it is all my own. Well might I have enjoyed it, all in pleasure If my cruel parents had left me alone; I will drown away sorrow in a full-flowing bumper I will drown away sorrow in a bottle of wine. Eight drams a bottle is, and I don't care for folly Now never let trouble come into your mind, I will drown her away in a full-flowing bumper I will drown away sorrow in a bottle of wine. Eight drams a bottle is, and I don't care for folly I play on my fiddle and dance all the time, My fingers are frozen, My bow it needs rosin My soundpost is down, and my bridge it won't stand. Frank Warner collected this from Lee Presnell in 1951 RG
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!