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
Teddy O'Neill I dreamt all last night -- O bad cess to my dreaming! I'd die if I thought 'twould come surely to pass. I dreamt while the tears down my pillow were streaming That Teddy was courting another fair lass. And didn't I wake with a weeping and wailing; The pain in my heart was too deep to conceal. My mother cried, "Nora, dear, what is your railing?" But all I could answer was "Teddy O'Neill." I've seen the old cabin beyond the wee boreen; I've seen the old crossroads where we used to dance. I've rambled the lane where he called me his storeen And my girlish heart felt the thrill of romance. But now all around me is so sad and so dreary, All dark and all silent -- no piper, no reel. Not even the sun through my casement shines cheery Since I left my darling boy Teddy O'Neill. Shall I ever forget when the big ship was ready And the time it was come for my love to depart? How I cried like a child, "Oh goodbye to you, Teddy," With a tear on my cheek and a stone in my heart. He said 'twas far better his fate he went roving, But what would be gold to the joy I would feel If he'd only come back to me, tender and loving, Though poor, but my own darling Teddy O'Neill? Recorded by De Dannan on "Ballroom." RW
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!