Hi Everyone! I’m new to the messageboard! Just wanted to say hi!
I started playing the whistle a couple years ago, but finally learned to play jigs last summer. Most of the songs I can play are Corr’s songs (since I’m such a fan) because I have an easier time playing by ear than reading music and figuring out the beats.
I hope I learn a lot from each of you, as I am just a beginner. The whistle is the first instrument I’ve ever picked up and I LOVE playing it so much. It’s such a comfort.
I have three whistles: My first is the Clare whistle made out of brass with a green mouthpiece, I also received a Generation brass whistle with a blue mouthpiece, and the Walton’s Little Black whistle.
You’re in good company here. Andrea Corr is like Helen of Troy on this message board… the face that launched a thousand whistles. But you’ll also be exposed to a wider spectrum of Irish music.
Some popular, more traditional (but not strictly traditional) bands are Flook and Lúnasa. They feature some innovative whistlisation. If you like them you may be interested in a gentleman those bands have in common, Michael McGoldrick. Another popular whistler is Joanie Madden of the all-female ensemble Cherish The Ladies. If that pleases you the hardcore whistlers will point you towards Mary Bergin’s Feadoga Stain and Feadoga Stain 2.
I’m more active on the flute forum which is a darker, more arcane realm so I’ll let the more active whistlers take over from here.
Er… Flook isn’t terribly traditional, Lunasa is mostly about playing traditional music in a non-traditional (but straight) style, and Mike McGoldrick hasn’t been with either band since the late 90s. They are both great bands, though, and Mike’s solo (or better yet, duo – the album with John McSherry) material is cool as well.
Those groups are all tunes. For groups with songs, you might want to try Great Big Sea, Dervish, or Teada…
Welcome! You’ll find that searching the archives, and checking out the many links that appear here and there, you will discover other tunes you will want to learn. Playing by ear is my method of learning too, check out clips and snips, and the tune archive for songs. Have fun!
I was a couple steps ahead of you, colomon. Good suggestion with Great Big Sea though. And to follow on with Mike McGoldrick he is also involved with Capercaillie and Kate Rusby.