Good Christmas Songs for D Whistles

[FJohnSharp]

I think Christmas songs are great for learning by ear, since most of us already know the tunes. There are very few of the standards that can't be played on the D whistle.

[AaronMalcomb]

By the way, if you ever get the chance, I recommend you check out (or tune in!) the alternate melody to the song as performed by the Cape Breton group the Barra MacNeils on their album The Christmas Album.

The Tannahill Weavers did a version to an alternate melody years ago, album 4 I believe. Could it be the same melody as Barra MacNeils?

Cheers,
Aaron

[Wanderer]

I've got a few xmas and other religious tunes as well:
http://www.tinwhistler.com/music/songty ... ongtype=15

Don Oiche Ud I mBeithel
Dreidel Song, The
First Noel, The
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Good King Wenceslas
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Here We Come a-Caroling
Jingle Bells
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
Joy to the World
O Come All Ye Faithful
O Tannenbaum
Silent Night
We Wish You a Merry Christmas

[dclawyer]

There is an interesting site that has a selection of hymns hooked to a midi player. You can transpose any of the songs to whatever key you like and print out the sheet music. Most of these play well in the key of D - if the song is too low for a soprano D, transposing to G usually does the trick. Just follow this link: http://www.lds.org/cm/topicsearchalpha/ ... -1,00.html

then click on C in the topical index and scroll down to Christmas. You'll see the following songs.

Angels We Have Heard on High
Away in a Manger
Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
It Came upon the Midnight Clear
Joy to the World
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful
Once in Royal David's City
Silent Night
The First Noel
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
With Wondering Awe

[Joe_Atlanta]

http://www.wesleydick.com/zips/Xmas.zip
Pretty good collection of Christmas tunes for Band In A Box (playable in any key w/BIAB) from Wesley's monster collection of BIAB tunes.

[jbgibson]

Mary Did You Know

If I can play it, it's easy! I made a Christmas CD for myself with music off mp3.com, before they closed up the free downloads site. <sob> I think the Mary Did You Know rendition on it is by Jennifer Avalon. She's got a site w/ music downloads for free, but doesn't include that song (yet). A number of her other Christmas songs though are a capella or voice and guitar - good accompaniment practice if you have a whistle in the right key.

http://jenniferavalon.net/bethlehem.htm

Good King Wenceslas is pretty easy too.

-- Jake

[emmline]

\check out (or tune in!) the alternate melody to the song as performed by the Cape Breton group the Barra MacNeils on their album The Christmas Album.

My favorite low whistle riff is a more wistful take on Auld Lang Syne I learned from listening to a Steve MacDonald Scottish Christmas cd. Don't know if it's the same as yours.

[fpoulenc]

I just played O Come, O Come Emanuel at dinner this evening for the beginning of Advent. On a D whistle, start on E and think E minor (or PM if you want the notes).

[BrassBlower]

Check out the Chiffy Chat Christmas thread:

http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php ... +christmas

Robin

I didn't know this existed. Very impressive, everyone!!! My hat goes off to all of you. I especially liked BrassBlowers rendition of The First Noel. Very nice, BB.

Will O'Ban

Many thanks for your kind words, Will!

Anyone know if we're doing it again this year?

[rebl_rn]

I just played O Come, O Come Emanuel at dinner this evening for the beginning of Advent. On a D whistle, start on E and think E minor (or PM if you want the notes).

O Come O Come Emmanuel is gorgeous on a low D! One of my favorite advent/Christmas hymns.

Beth