The Tin Whistle

Transition Year Music Powerpoint

 What Is It?
Thetin whistle, also called thepenny whistle, is a
simple, six-holed woodwind instrument.
The Irish name for the tin whistle is feadg stin.
It is in the woodwind family of instruments.
The most common whistles today are made ofbrass
tubing, or nickel platedbrass tubing, with a plastic
fipple (mouthpiece).
 Keys on the tin whistle
The most common key is the key of
D. The next most common key is the
key of C.
The general rule is the longer the tin
whistle, the lower key it plays at.
 Tin Whistle Players
Here is a list of some of the most famous tin whistle
players.
Mary Bergin (All Ireland tin whistle champion 1970)
Andrea Corr (actor in the film The Commitments)
Brian Finnegan (member of the famous Anglo-Irish
band flook)
Carmel Gunning (senior scr winner 1976)

 Tin Whistle Tunes

The tin whistle caters for a variety of different abilities.
One of the most difficult jigs to play is the Monaghan Jig.
This is for advanced players to learn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n08xKm45MM
While absolute beginners can be content with learning a
more simple tune, such as ole mcdonald.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCynkui-qsE

 History of the Tin

Whistle

The tin whistle in its modern

form is from a wider family of
fipple flutes.
A possible Neanderthal fipple
flute from Slovenia dates from
81,000-53,000 B.C.
In the iron age, they were
made from sheeps bone
Here is an old whistle found
in a dig from the 17th
century.
 Positioning of the Whistle
First of all, you must hold the tin whistle downwards
at a 45 degree angle away from you.
Your dominant hand should be at the bottom to keep
the whistle steady while the other hand should stay
on top.
Place the tip of the whistle between your lips, not
your teeth.
The pinky is not usually used except while playing
certain notes
 Upper Octaves

Upper octaves sounds

like a complicated thing
to play... Its not!
All you have to do is
blow a little harder
while playing the same
notes.
Not too hard however,
because if you over do it
then you will produce a
squeaky sound.
Tin Whistle Notes
External Source For Learning The
Tin Whistle