Learning the Irish Tin Whistle

You've been to your local session, fallen in love with Irish music, and picked up a tin whistle. Wondering what's next?

Seek a teacher in your area. The kind folks at the session can probably recommend someone who teaches. It may go without saying, but look for the flute and whistle players.

Beyond that, we also have a collection of tutorials, which provide in-depth discussions of the technical aspects of learning the tin whistle.

Using detailed photos and illustrations, these books cover the proper way to hold the instrument, read music, play scales, add ornamentation, and play a few tunes.  

The Hal Leonard Tin Whistle Method - by the wonderful whistle, flute, and uilleann piper Seán Gavin - is an excellent and affordable place to start. This tutorial includes 25 tunes, and includes accompanying audio in digital format.

An Irish Whistle Book, by Tom Maguire, is also a great place to start. Of course, this tutorial contains numerous Irish tunes, but familiar melodies, like Amazing Grace and Frere Jacques, mean you can practice the techniques without getting lost. Audio is available separately on a companion CD.

At over 400 pages, The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle is the most comprehensive tutorial, and comes with a double CD. The Essential Guide has the most in-depth discussion of ornamentation, different flute systems, a survey of Irish music and theory, and transcriptions of 27 tunes from renowned flute and whistle players.

Cover image credit: Ishikawa Ken. Creative Commons