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
Captain Thompson My mind being much inclined to cross the raging main, I left my tender parents in sorrow grief and pain, On board the Fame we thus became all passengers to be Along with Captain Thompson to the land of liberty. As we were safely sailing to a place called Newfoundland The wind arose ahead of us, and our ship was at a stand. "All hands aloft," bold Thompson cries, "or we'll be cast away. All firmly stand or we ne'er shall land in the North of Amerikay." A mount of ice came moving down anear our gallant main But the Lord of Mercy He was kind, and our lives He did maintain Our gallant sailors hauled about and so our ship did save Or we were doomed to be entombed in a doleful watery grave. When we were fairly landed our faint hearts did renew; But how could I sleep easy, dear Erin, far from you? I hope the time will come again when our comrades all we'll see And once more we'll live together in love and unity. From Irish Songs of the Sea, Healy RG
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!