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!
![[GIF Score]](/wscores/BACKWOOD-C.gif)
(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
Backwoodsman Oh, it's well do I remember the year of 'forty-five I think myself quite happy to find myself alive I harnessed up my horses, my business to pursue And I went a-hauling cordwood as I often used to do. Now I only hauled one load where I should have hauled four I went down to Omemee and I could not haul no more The taverns they being open, good liquor was flowing free And I hadn't emptied one glass when another was filled for me. Now I met with an old acquaintance, and I dare not tell his name He was going to a dance and I thought I'd do the same He was going to a dance where the fiddle was sweetly played And the boys and girls all danced till the breaking of the day. So I puts me saddle on me arm and started for the barn To saddle up old grey nag, not thinking any harm I saddled up old grey nag and I rode away so still And I never drew a long breath till I came to Downeyville. So when I got to Downeyville the night was far advanced I got upon the floor for to have a little dance The fiddler he being rested, his arm being stout and strong Played the rounds of old Ireland for four hours long. Now my father followed after, I've heard the people say He must have had a pilot or he never would found the way He looked in every keyhole that he could see a light Till his old grey locks were wet with the dew of the night. From Penguin Book of Canada Folk Songs by Edith Fowke see also I Came to This Country in 1865 DT #604 Laws C19 SOF
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!
