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
Sir Eglamore Sir Eglamore, that valiant knight Fa la, lanky down dilly He took up his sword and he went to fight Fa la, lanky down dilly And as he rode o'er Hill and Dale All Armed with a coat of Male Fa la, la, la, la, la, lanky down dilly There leap'd a Dragon outof her Den That had slain God knows how many men But when she saw Sir Eglamore Oh that you had but heard her roar! Then the trees began to shake, Horses did tremble, Man did quake, The birds betook them all to peeping Oh! t'would have made one fall a-weeping. But all in vain it was to fear For now they fall to't, fight Dog, fight Bear And to't they go and soundly fight A live-long day from Morn to Night. This Dragon had on a plaguey Hide That cou'd the sharpest steel abide No Sword cou'd enter her with cuts Which vex'd the Knight unto the Guts. But as in Choler he did burn, He watch'd the Dragon a great good turn For as a Yawning she did fall He thrust his Sword up Hilt and all. Then like a Coward she did fly Unto her den which was haerd by; And there she lay all night and roar's The Knight was sorry for his Sword. But riding away, he cries," I forsake it, He that will fetch it, let him take it." Child #18 From D'Urfey III, 1719-1720 RG
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!