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
Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be 2 Dear, dear, what can the matter be?(3x) Johnny's so long at the fair. He promised he'd buy me a basket of posies, A garland of lilies a wreath of red roses, He promised he'd bring me a bunch of blue ribbons, To tie up my bonnie brown hair. And it's oh, dear, what can the matter be? Dear, dear, what can the matter be, Oh dear, what can the matter be? Johnny's so long at the fair. He promised he'd buy me a beautiful fairing, A gay bit of lace that the lassies are wearing, A little straw hat to set off the blue ribbons That tie up my bonnie brown hair. (repeat chorus) XX apr97
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!