New here with a question

Whistle
1

First of all, hello. This is my first post after lurking for awhile. A little about myself. I have been dabbling with the pennywhistle/ tinwhistle for more time than I care to admit, but have never really progressed past the basics. I can play decently enough for my kids to enjoy, but that is not saying all that much.

Coming here, I realize that there is a whole lot more to learn and aspire to. I have always been interested in ITM(which I am assuming is Irish Traditional Music), and after listening to a couple of sessions locally, I’ve decided that I’d really like to progress with my whistle playing.

I am just now actually learning what the notes to the whistle are, as opposed to just blowing into it and “making noise”. I am also learning to read music to help with that. I understand that there is a whole debate into learning by ear vs. learning from sheet music, but I figure if I learn to do both I can give myself many options.

Which brings me to my first question of what I’m sure will be many:

What is this?

(Posted by Boomerang in another thread)
X: 1
T:Song, ‘No more, vain Virgins, boast your Power’
S:from ‘Love in a Village’, 1729
Q:1/4=120
L:1/4
M:C|
K:G
D/|DGG3/2 A/|G/F/G3/4A/4 G3/2 G/|A3/2 B/ A/B/A/G/|F3/2 G/A2|
DGG3/2 A/|G/F/G3/4A/4G3/2 G/|B3/2 c/dd/c/|B3/2 c/d3/2 d/|
edc3/2 B/|c3/2 B/ A3/2 B/|cB/c/d3/2 G/|F3/2 G/A3/2 D/|
G3/2 F/ E3/2 D/|ED/C/D3/2 c/|Bc/d/AB/c/|~F2G3/2:|]

I am assuming that it is in ABC Format, but I have no idea what that is or how to read it. I have the Mcullough tutor and tunebook, as well as another tutor book. Soon I also hope to pick up the Clarke whistle/tunebook/CD compilation as well.

Can anyone help me with understanding this notation? It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

2

This site will tell you more than you’ll ever need to know about this great resource:

http://www.walshaw.plus.com/abc/

3

It’s good to get a basic understanding of ABC notation, but you can also convert it to dots at the Tune-o-Tron Tune Converter

Just take an ABC tune and paste it into the box and hit SUBMIT. Note that you need to have a first line that says “X:1” (or anyother number). Once converted you can download a midi version (I don’t recommend it) and get a pretty .pdf version for printing (I recommend it).

Copy and paste this:

X: 1
T:Song, ‘No more, vain Virgins, boast your Power’
S:from ‘Love in a Village’, 1729
Q:1/4=120
L:1/4
M:C|
K:G
D/|DGG3/2 A/|G/F/G3/4A/4 G3/2 G/|A3/2 B/ A/B/A/G/|F3/2 G/A2|
DGG3/2 A/|G/F/G3/4A/4G3/2 G/|B3/2 c/dd/c/|B3/2 c/d3/2 d/|
edc3/2 B/|c3/2 B/ A3/2 B/|cB/c/d3/2 G/|F3/2 G/A3/2 D/|
G3/2 F/ E3/2 D/|ED/C/D3/2 c/|Bc/d/AB/c/|~F2G3/2:|]

4

Thank you for both of those sites. They have been added to my Favorites for future reference.

5

For what it’s worth, I would say learn the dots if you haven’t already. It isn’t that difficult and it saves a lot of messing about.

6

I never used ABC. It’s confusing to me really. But, in Ireland, it seems that all young whistlers know it. I think I was the only one in a workshop at Willie Week that read music.

-Casey

7

I sorta use my own form of abc notation sometimes, but I kind of invented it / adapted it from Jimmy Noonan’s notes and it doesn’t look anything like the stuff pasted above, which I have very little idea how to read :wink: I read music, but sometimes for learning tunes abc’s handier because it only reminds you of the notes and not the rhythms, so you really have to have the tune in your head. and if you do, then you learn it faster (compared to getting the basic tune off the sheet music every time you play it). or that’s what I’ve found anyways… no doubt others have their own ways that work best. and if you can make sense of that abc notation, all the more power to you :laughing:

cheers,
Sara

8

I appreciate the comments.

@ flutey1: I’ve been looking at the ABC notation, and so far all it looks like is a bunch of letters with " ’ " and “,” next to them. :smiley: