Most Irish songs are written in the keys of G or D. One plays them on whistles designed to play in those keys or one fudges. Recorders also have a limited range. I think for D and G songs, an alto recorder works best. You can start the tune on a different key and "find" the rest of the melody from there, thereby changing the sharps.......or modify the song to work around it, or buy another instrument with a different range, or try a different song. ;-). Fippled instruments do not have the unlimited range of something like a stringed instrument or keyboard. But when you work with folk music, that's not usually an issue. You are free to interpret the notes to what will work for you. It sounds a lot more complicated than it is, actually.

I was so looking forward to the warm temps here today here in Columbus. However, yesterday we had a raccon with distemper show up and the darn thing evaded the UAPD. Nothing like the local police with a maglite and a gun rooting through your norwegian spruce. Officer was very nice, polite and professional. Sick racoon 1 - police - nothing. So cats had to be kept in and they were furious. Rats! errr. Racoon. Poor little sweetie - those darn things are so fuzzy and cute and what beautiful eyes and fuzzy ears.

We had a really nice time, but it's always over way too soon. That Carol cracks me up every time we get together. It's a good thing I don't have to sit beside her in church or we'd get in so much trouble! I was really happy to meet Joann and her DH and I apologize to her right now for forgetting it was her birthday. I'm so sorry we didn't sing "Happy Birthday" to you, Joann. But it must've been your lucky day :-) Nita's cousin, Tim isreally interesting and while the guys were talking, it turned out that Harry was a teacher at the same high school Tim attended. Harry was teaching chemistry at the time so their paths didn't cross, but it proves it really is a small world. Lunch was roasted turkey breast, potato casserole, green beans, blueberry salad and rolls. Joann brought homemade red velvet cupcakes (Harry's favorite) and I made bread pudding with whiskey sauce. We mainly just yakked the afternoon away. I had a wonderful time. It's always a good time when Nita comes. I don't know about them, but I know I'm not going to be wanting any dinner tonight. Someone will post pictures, I'm sure. I got my camera out and ready to go, but when I looked for it this morning it had suddenly disappeared. I don't know where that sucker is. I need to learn how to post pictures and was going to use today as a starting point. Sorry!

Hi Jodi. I'm still planning on coming. You can reach me thru FB or merewhitt at yahoo dot com. Looking forward to meeting everyone!