I’m looking for good lullabies - or especially good songs to help sooth, calm or delight infants. We’re expecting our first around the middle of October and I figured it would it might be a good idea to have a repertoire on hand. For what it’s worth I’d rate myself a beginner, but please don’t let that influence your input too much. Some day I’ll get better and hopefully it’ll happen while my child is still young. Or worse case scenario while my grandchildren are still young. I’ll be happy to have something to work toward.
On a related note, given my intended audience, how vital is it to master a whistle in a lower key than soprano D? I guess I’m asking how much preference is shown by infants for lower keys?
The first thing you should is get a low whistle if you don’t have one. There were times when our (at that time) newborn was inconsolable, and I’d take out a low-D and play, which would quiet her right down.
Some of the tunes I played were
Crested Hens and Dowd’s #9, both versions by Solas
Rest Sweet Nymphs, a lullaby by an old English songwright; Siuil Aruin (sp), both versions by Kate Price
Can’t think of anything else offhand, but there was a lot more.
There’s a CD re-issue of a 1962 recording of The Clancy Children : So Early in the Morning, Irish Children’s songs, Rhymes and Games on the Tradition label TCD 1053. (with Bobby Clancy guitar, Diane Hamilton harp and Seamus Ennis whistle plus the three children singing]
it was sent to me [fro mthe US] by a dear friend, for years it was the music my son went to sleep on and by the end he had all songs. Lovely stuff.
There are several lovely Cds of children’s songs availble, Padraigin ni hU. and others have great work.
There is a wonderful CD titled The Celtic Lullaby. It has 18 tracks and most of it is in the Irish. Might not be too great for singing along, but the music should be easy to follow.
It’s available from Ellipsis Arts. You can request a catalog by calling 800-788-6670. Or drop them an email at elliarts@aol.com. The snail mail is PO Box 305; Roslyn, NY 11576.
I hope they are still in business for ya. It’s really a very pretty album.
Mike
Good news…it is available on amazon.com for $14.99.
I have that CD. The first song on the cd is very easy to learn and quite pretty. It’s called Einini. The other tracks are just as nice, and most are pretty easy to pick up.
Thank you all for your suggestions so far. This is absolutely great, you’re giving me a whole bunch of new sources. It’ll be nice to have something to turn to for lullabies other than Shane McGowan & crew . Looks like I’ll definitely be putting in an order to Amazon shortly.
. Looks like I’ll definitely be putting in an order to Amazon shortly.