... and only 8 notes.

Yup, I've got some of those christmas crackers with eight one-note whistles to help us get through Christmas Day. More fun than you might think after a few bevvies (we'll be in Scotland) - we still cherish the memory of smart-arse brother-in-law being tortured with the lead part in Jingle Bells a couple of years ago...

So, this year I wondered if the impressively large number of musicians blogging here could help with some alternatives to Away in a Manger?

I'm thinking Pulp/Smiths/indie for the sister, American songbook/musicals or Abba for mother, probably give up on my partner (War of the Worlds/Star Wars Theme/Meatloaf anyone?!) but the piece de resistance would be anything by Rush for aforementioned brother-in-law. As for me, not sure that the rest of the family would recognise anything by Elbow or Magazine but I'd enjoy teaching them the joys of decent music, murdered.

Finding it challenging working out tunes on the only instrument readily available (descant recorder - not going up in the loft to retrieve the old school cornet). Can anyone help?