5 Beginner Tips for Tin Whistle/Flute

If you're just starting out playing traditional Irish music on tin whistle or Irish flute, here's 5 (6?!) tips that might save you some grief and hassle as you're making your way through the process.

Bonus tip #6 is sure to cause some controversy, let me know if you agree/disagree.

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[michaeljames]

My tip: When learning a new tune (or ornament, or whatever) play it SLOW. You will actually burn it into muscle memory faster if you go slow. The speed will come by itself.

[JacksNephew]

Good tips, all. An additional suggestion I'd offer is don't let what you haven't yet learned distract you from what you're currently learning to play. Pick 2 or 3 fairly easy tunes and get them firmly under your fingers before trying to learn another. With the sheer volume of Irish traditional music it's easy to get overwhelmed at first as you attempt to learn individual tunes, learn a few bars of those tunes, and then set those aside to pay attention to all the others you might also wish to learn.

[josephatthecoop]

I think it needs to be said that even the settings of tunes we think are purely “traditional” are likely to be just one version out of many that existed generations ago. The version that we know today is just the version that got written down or recorded, and got published first. The piper from 20 miles down the road from the source played it his own peculiar way. His version would sound odd to us but it was just as authentic. Who are we to say that variations that arose in the last 50 years are less legit than the greater variety that probably existed 200 years ago? Every traditional tune was a brand-new tune once. Or it was an old tune that got worked over by one player, or a chain of them, until it was something new. My point is, the “tradition” include change and variety, and was never set in stone.

All that said, it’s totally valid to tell beginners to build an awareness of what tunes and settings to expect at actual sessions. There is going to a common baseline that most sessions will share and recognize as “legit”, and that’s where a beginner should focus. Master the basics and build some cred before you start bringing new variations. At the same time, I hope we don’t let the tradition get locked in place. It deserves to live. A generation from now, I hope some of those modern band versions get absorbed into what’s considered “trad”.

[OzzyCoop]

I have a Tony Dixon brass whistle. It was my first whistle. It's wonderful. My Wild Irish whistle is in the mail. I came to your videos to refresh my brain since I haven't played in a long time. You videos are great. Thank you for all of your hard work.

[jessmccann]

I just saw you at the Highland Games in Florida! That was cool to see you live. Wish I could upload pictures. My daughter and I loved it. She was the redhead dancing in her wheelchair! Really thanks for a good time and inspiration to keep going.

[angus]

One valuable tip I learned when I was learning another single note instrument, the tenor saxophone: if you can’t hum the tune you can’t play it.

[chrissyinit]

Thank u so much for reminding me to not give up on the understanding of the scales! I tend to be a jump on too far person so thankx for reminding me to keep the basics in check!

[TheKidonthemountain]

As others have said, learning a tune at a slow tempo is essential. Equally essential is keeping time. Learn to tap your foot to keep time and practice phrases slowly with proper beat emphasis. Critical if you hope to play with others....

[damianmcneely]

1st lesson is today.... thanks for tips and videos, really enjoying the content

[MiauMichigan]

Thank you! 😊 My whistle is on its way so I'm watching all your beginner's videos.

[tim]

Wonderful video, Sean. I would also add breathing and fingering as two important learning points. The breathing thing I screwed up on at the beginning and am still working on.

[felixk]

very solid advice, thank you :D especially focusing on basics is really important !

[moosebooze]

On learning tunes from modern bands... I agree with you for most of it, I play a lot of modern and indeed, those tunes are not known on sessions here! BUT, many modern band recordings of traditional tunes are usually fine for learning in my experience. Of course there will be variations but that's the same with traditional bands. I kinda see it as a practice element too: learning a tune and then realizing a different setting is played at your sessions, then learn your session's setting by ear there. Not only is it good practice to be able to adapt to the others, but can also help you break free from the mindset of "these are the notes in this tune, you play them exactly like this" instead of *knowing* the tune, what chords and patters actually build up the tune. Got a bit confusing now I feel but hopefully it makes sense :D

[bmurch]

(but I take your point that it helps folks new to the music to realize that what bands like Lunasa are doing might be quite different than what they can expect at a session!)

[billyprice]

Love Irish music been trying to play some I've got to where I can play dirty old town. I've been playing dubliners. I bring the cds out on the road with me. But I have to say I'm all over the place with what im learning. Last sunday it was bridge over trouble water. So i thinging its just a longer way Around the goal. Thank you for your help. Keep up with the tips I'm learning alot.

[guloguloguy]

Thank you, very much, for this excellent tutorial, on playing these whistles!! I need to learn the finer points, as I'm only basically capable of playing some easy tunes, and still trying to get up to speed at reading written music. IMHO: It's disappointing to have to play tunes that don't sound "beautiful"... perhaps they'd sound nicer if played by a "skilled" traditional style player!... I was first interested in learning to play when I discovered "Silly Wizard, and other bands that used the whistle(s). However, I am really needing to develop a good "reflexive style" of playing what I'm "hearing" in my brain, because I'm barely able to play anything "fast, or complex"!!!.... I just don't know how to go about getting more "advanced"!!....????....
I would like to find more good books, full of beautiful, written "traditional tunes, that explore a variety of "tune styles" (Reels, Jigs, Slip Jigs, Double Jigs, Hornpipes, Airs, Polkas, Marches, etc. as in "The Complete Irish Tin Whistle Tutor" (by L.E. McCullough), ["SHARED" ON GAB.AI ]

[richardkuhn]

Enjoy watching your videos. Thank you.

[Edfsarah]

Brilliant teacher thanks for these videos 🙂

[meemaw]

Help please. I’m trying to learn how to play the penny whistle. I ordered the Feadog in D. Here’s my problem. I have arthritis in my fingers & am having difficulty getting my fingers over the holes. Is there a penny whistle that has a wider circumference? I think I could manage better if the whistle wasn’t so thin. I measured it & it looks like it’s 1/2 inch diameter. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[FollowingAmanda]

Do you think it’s possible for someone to learn an instrument late? I’m 37 now and I don’t have a musical background. I’d love to learn tin whistle. Is it too late to burn it into my brain?