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Tin whistle anyone?

I listen to more and more folk music and folk metal these days. I really like the sound of these Irish flutes called Tin Whistle.

I've played music most of my life, mainly guitar. But those flutes are so tiny, yet enchanting.

Anyone plays the tin whistle?

Acoustic song from a Folk Metal band I really like:

[YOUTUBE]msRy4vcSX4k[/YOUTUBE]


I ask before I'm considering getting one and learn it.
 
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The tin whistle is relatively easy to find and play. I picked one up a few years ago when I started listening to Celtic music. I've even had a chance to play it on a few gigs, but mostly just picking it up for one song.

You can probably pick up a Clarke brand whistle at just about any music store. I found mine at a local mom and pop shop and paid about US$9. I think Sam Ash stores even have them.

I'd suggest starting with one of those. The stores may have a whistle with book package (Amazon has them). If you like and want to get more serious, then you can start looking for a good one. But it's so cheap to get a starter whistle that there's no reason you can't get started :)

Also, there are fingering charts, lessons and how-to's all over the internet. I must admit, though, that I play woodwinds professionally, so it was easy for me to pick it up and follow online lessons.

I think these lessons were very clear and easy to follow. His website is http://www.tinwhistler.blogspot.com/

For listening, check out the Celt In A Twist podcast from Worldbeat Canada. They play some great contemporary Celtic music.

Two bands that have really piqued my interest are Salsa Celtica and Shooglenifty. Very innovative bands, IMHO.
 
I'm actually selling some shaving things off right now to raise funds for a decent whistle. I played sax for a long time (5th grade through college, trying to pick it up again after 20 years) and have been interested in an Irish/tin/penny whistle for quite some time. Check out the Chiff & Fipple forums.
 
Hey Mike. I have visited Chiff and Fipple before. Great site. I LOVE the tin whistle. I have a few of them but can't play a note. I love Celtic music and I love how the whislte almost completes the tunes sometimes. You realise the song would sound completely weird or useless without the whistle parts. I do wish I would have taken an interest in some sort of musical instrument when I was younger.

Regards, Todd
 
I listen to more and more folk music and folk metal these days. I really like the sound of these Irish flutes called Tin Whistle.






I ask before I'm considering getting one and learn it.

Folk Metal, that's awesome. I like it a lot, haven't ever heard a single other person mention that genre. Heard of Folk Earth? Ensiferum? Two of my favorites. I usually get a funny look...
 
I play a little. I used to play a lot more, but got in an Irish band and ended up as the guitar player, so my whistle chops are fading fast. If you like it and think you might stick with it, you might consider a teacher for learning proper technique. If you just want to play a couple tunes for fun - teaching yourself is fine. If you really start to get into it and you want to play in authentic Irish style, you may find you have a lot of bad habits to unlearn. Good luck!
 

Legion

OTF jewel hunter
Staff member
I bought one to try a few years back. Apparently mine was broken because it sounded nothing like the ones you hear musicians play. :lol:
 
Folk Metal, that's awesome. I like it a lot, haven't ever heard a single other person mention that genre. Heard of Folk Earth? Ensiferum? Two of my favorites. I usually get a funny look...
It certainly isn't the easiest genre to explain, even to other metal fans. Their loss though, Eluveitie and Ensiferum are both great bands.
 
The whistle in that YouTube was a Low D. My daughter has one she plays a lot on my ceilidh band. Personally I can't get my fingers to reach all the holes! That's why I play the button accordian.

Noticed a Vielle/Hurdy Gurdy in there too. I tried one of those once. No idea how to play it but it still sounded French! Just press the buttons, jerk the handle a bit and you have a bouree...

Gareh
 
I made my research (instead of studying as I should).

I found an ebay seller that keeps Clarke MEGs and Freeman Tweaked Sweetones, with decent shipping costs.

I've played music most of my life. Learned soprano flute in elementary school. I was in a choir (soprano), then puberty kicked in and I left the choir :p I started to play guitar, a little bit of sax.

I'd like to learn, a whisle is nice to bring in the woods. Way lighter than a guitar.



If you like Ensiferum, try Wintersun, Finntroll is a bit heavier, but still great.
 
Before you buy, bear in mind that the most popular key for the tin whistle is the D. Probably teaching my grandmother to suck eggs but better save you a few quid buying a C!

The D plays easily in D and G, not sure about A. All my trad whistle playing friends have the D. One even paid about £150 for his!

Gareth
 
I made my research (instead of studying as I should).

I found an ebay seller that keeps Clarke MEGs and Freeman Tweaked Sweetones, with decent shipping costs.

I've played music most of my life. Learned soprano flute in elementary school. I was in a choir (soprano), then puberty kicked in and I left the choir :p I started to play guitar, a little bit of sax.

I'd like to learn, a whisle is nice to bring in the woods. Way lighter than a guitar.



If you like Ensiferum, try Wintersun, Finntroll is a bit heavier, but still great.

Heard of wintersun, need to check them out. Thanks! Never thought I would be getting folk metal bands from B&B?!
 
I bought a Tony Dixon Brass D Trad last year from whistleanddrum.com. Nice whistle. I'm not too good, but it's not the whistle's fault.
 
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