These beginner lessons will get you started learning Irish traditional music on the tin whistle.
Lesson 1: Types of Tunes
The first lesson gives you an introduction to the different types of tunes that are most commonly played in Irish music. These are:
| Tune Type | Time Signature | Example (RealAudio) |
| Air | n/a* | 56k | 256k |
| Hornpipe | 4/4 | 56k | 256k |
| Jig | 6/8 | 56k | 256k |
| Polka | 2/4 | 56k | 256k |
| Reel | 4/4 | 56k | 256k |
| Slip Jig | 9/8 | 56k | 256k |
| * Airs are open to interpretation - more on this later | ||
Lesson 2: Holding The Whistle
In order to get proper, clean tone out of the instrument, you need to first make sure that you are holding it correctly. For right-handed people, the instrument is typically held as shown, left hand over right. For left-handed people, you would hold it the opposite, right hand over left. However, this is by no means a hard-and-fast rule; I actually started out playing the whistle "left-handed" but then switched to accomodate the pipes and flute.
With your left hand on top, place your index finger on the top hole, your middle finger on the second hole, and your ring finger on the third hole. These fingers will now be known as L1, L2, and L3, respectively.
Then place your right hand on the bottom half of the whistle, with your index finger on the first hole, middle finger on the second hole, and ring finger on the third. These fingers will be known as R1, R2, and R3, respectively.
Lesson 3: The 'D' Scale
The first scale you will be learning will be in the key of D. As you will see in the tutorial, this scale begins with all fingers on the whistle (as in the picture in Lesson 2.)
Lesson 4: The 'G' Scale
The next scale is for the key of G. You will notice that the notes are played the same as they are in the key of D, with one exception. Additionally, this scale will get you more accustomed to playing in the higher register (octave).
Lesson 5: The 'A' Scale
Now you will learn the 'A' Scale. This one can be a bit more difficult than the previous two scales because of the introduction of the half-holed note. While tricky at first, with practice it will become a useful skill in to have in your whistle playing.