In the key of...?

Whistle
1

Hello,
I am planning on purchasing a whistle, and not able to decide which key to purchase one in. Could someone please explain to me the virtue of one key over another? I have pretty extensive music background, so I’m asking more about the musical genres and roles that the various keys are associated with. I would appreciate any advice offered, Thanks!

2

My understanding is that a D whistle is the most useful for playing with other musicians, or with recordings. That said, my first whistle was an Eb, because at the time, I was only interested in playing (and not thinking in terms of playing with others), and it’s still a favorite after nearly 26 years! I’d say if you have no personal preference, you can’t go far wrong with a D.

Redwolf

3

90% of all Irish/Celtic music is in the key of D or G. The D tinwhistle can play in both of those keys quite easily, so if you’re interested in Celtic music, get a D. A C also comes in handy once in a while when playing with a fiddle.

4

Welcome, Yoda!

The most common key is D. If you intend to play in Irish sessions, or with other people playing trad music, that key is your best shot.

If you intend to play for your own personal enjoyment, you would want to pick a key that sounds good to your ear, or fits your hands. My husband has fairly large hands, and prefers playing on a C whistle rather than D. I like a lower sound when I play by myself, and choose an A or F (my G doesn’t please me at this time).

If you intend to play along or learn from a CD, find out what they’re playing. If its an Eflat, then get that.

But the most common key for beginners is D.

5

D is considered the “standard” whistle.

6

Yodacrunchies, seeing as you already have a solid foundation in music I don’t know if its an issue for you, but virtually all books written for whistle assume you have a D whistle.

7

This has nothing to do with your question, but your username is very unique, Yoda. What made you decide on it? I mean, it seems apparent that you like “Star Wars” (as do I), but the “crunchies” part?

Just curious!

Cees :slight_smile:

8

Here’s a little of what I’ve been able to pick up.

First, There is a very fine article,Irish](http://www.geocities.com/novairishsession/modes/modes.html%3EIrish) Modes and the “D” Tin Whistle by Jos H Hindriks. Most of the in this post can be found in greater detail in Jos Hindriks’ article.

Two key signature are easily played on the ‘D’ Whistle: The D Scale (2 sharps: C# and F#) and the G Scale (one sharp: F#). Here is a list of the Key’s and Modes commonly found in Irish music that relate to these two scales:

D Scale:

  1. D Major (D-Ionian) - Sheebeg, Sheemore; The Larke in the Morning, St. Anne’s Reel.
  2. E Dorian - Morisson’s Jig; The Road to Lisdoonvarna, Drowsy Maggie.
  3. A Mixolydian - Langstrom’s Pony, Rocky Road to Dublin, The Read-Haired Boy.
  4. B Minor (B-Aeolian) - Longford Tinker

G Scale:

  1. G Major (G-Ionian) - Fanny Power, Kesh Jig, Sally Gardens.
  2. E Minor (E-Aeolian) - Humours of Whiskey, Cuckoo’s Nest, Rights of Man (part a; part b is E Dorian)
  3. A Dorian - Rakes of Kildare, Congress Reel, Star of Munster.
  4. D Mixolydian - Banish Misfortune, Hardiman the Fiddler, Bunker Hill.

Hope this helps you to …

9

Thanks all who replied! The advice helps me greatly. And as far as my name, Thanks! It’s a melding of two of my favorite things - Yoda (!) and “Cruch(ies)” my favorite food sensation - I’m odd like that!

I’ve gotten into whistling as an alternative to the trombone, as a whistle will travel much easier than a trombone, and as I’ll be heading to Taiwan for a 2/yr religious mission soon, I want to have an instrument with me for the occasional downtime.

So thanks again for all of your advice!!

10

Yodacrunchies, you made a good choice of a type of instrument to take with you; bring us back some Nigerian folk songs that go nicely on whistles, if you would :slight_smile: It’s amazing how well the whistle travels.