Getting Started with the Tin Whistle

If you're just starting on the tin whistle and playing Irish traditional music specifically, here's a bunch of first steps to get you going.

Good beginner tunes

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[daxshell]

As a life long musician, I was actually quite astonished how much air it took to produce a low d. Way more than I have ever needed on any violin I have played in the past

[eimead]

Wee trivia: Feadóg (the whistle he discusses) is the Irish word for "whistle". Props for pronouncing it properly.

[c_farther]

The first short in the chair was so funny; loved that humor! I learn so much from this guy, well done.

[liamtomlinson]

Thank you, great info .
Been playin whistles 75 yrs and still learning .

[pmchamlee]

Many thanks . . . I'm 77 yrs old and have almost lost my reportedly remarkable tenor voice; however, being of of 'close Irish descent and having been there 15 times, I think I can help keep myself in the close by taking up the tin whistle. I've purchased a Clarke, but have ample funds to buy anything better so I might continue to enjoy my heritage. I am quite musically adroit (perfect play-by-ear) so I look forward to my journey with you. "Good night and blessings to you all"

[billparrish]

This is fascinating. I've toyed with the idea of learning the tin whistle, so I could play things like Picard's Ressikan theme from Star Trek: The Next Generation, s5 ep25 'The Inner Light'. And perhaps Ashokan Farewell. And there was this one video by Buddy Green and Jeff Taylor, singing and performing the old hymn 'Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing' where the tin whistle was especially lovely.

[quikie]

This video alone just fixed 1 major issue for me. Now i can actually string a bit of si beag si mor ! I love this!!

[AdrianMcGrath]

Just got back from Ireland and picked up one of the gift shop whistles as a starter. Want to learn the basics and I really enjoyed this video. A great starting point for me, thank you!

[paulvargas]

For those asking I got a shush whistle. Had it for a year and still strong’ plus it’s really easy to play it lightly with kids sleeping in next room. It’s also well made!

[michaellaber]

Im so glad I found this channel because I grew up playing highland pipes and played Scottish tunes on my whistle. But always wanted to learn Irish style of playing but never had the time to find a local player to show me. Finally I found these videos. Thank you!

[morganadavies]

This has helped so much! I have a feadog that is a little squeaky and i was sure it wasn't me! Thank you!😊

[MrsDallimore]

Thankyou. I ordered and I am expecting the delivery of my first whistle. I opted for a Roy Macmanus mopane Wood whistle in D. I shall be watching your videos to help me learn. I am also learning, flute, recorder ( both descant and alto) and ocarina too. Thanks for your videos

[theraduke]

This was an amazing tutorial! You covered a lot and touches on a lot of beginner issues! I’ll be following more videos as I am just picking this up! Thank you!

[devlieg]

An interesting thing about whistle keys. Today the most popular key is D because of Irish music. Years ago beginning in the 1970s Bill Ochs, who wrote one of the most popular tin whistle books in the U.S.for many years, wrote his original book for whistles in the key of C. The Clarke Tin Whistle book. It was often sold in a package with a Clarke C key tin whistle. But Ochs was thinking about solo whistle playing and not with bands....Also. I think it's okay to start with a relatively cheap tin whistle. It's like buying golf clubs when you start. Once you know that the whistle is your problem and not you or your technique, it's time to move up. You can't buy talent, but you can build talent on cheap equipment. The old timers used cheap mass produced whistles and got away with it.

[ADayInTheLifeofLori]

So happy I found your channel! Thank you!

[patrickdunavan]

Another Irish Tin whistle maker/dealer you might want to consider is McNeela Instruments in Dublin, Ireland. They ship them out pretty quickly as well. Just got their Wild Irish whistle...solid, weighty instrument with a nice sound.

[organman]

Really enjoying all your videos! Have been working on some learning fiddle/violin and whistle while at home more right now.

[MissionSilo]

I got rod brewers the whistlesmith starter whistle. Its great

[MiauMichigan]

Thank you for your advice. I'm so happy Sally Gardens is a beginner song. The only instrument I play is the kalimba an Sally Gardens is my favourite song!!!

[Mr_Bouzouki]

This looks a great channel. One thing that might seem obvious is that south-paws (left-handed people) need to swap hands. Due to tutors / examples on the Internet being played right-handed it's very easy to fall into just copying what is out there. So if you are left-handed, have your left-hand at the bottom and right-hand on top and when you read or hear left-hand think right and vice-versa. This is especially important for the low-whistle due to the larger stretch.