Novice here!

Whistle
1

Hey everyone…First Post!!!

Anyway…

I’ve been playing for a couple of monthes now and finally starting to get a hang of this thing. During my excursion into the whistle world, i learned a few songs bu not many more…but slowly im starting to get there. Was wondering if anyone can recommend some good beginner songs?

Songs I know:

Scarborough Fair
The Butterfly
Suo-Gan (sp?)
Amazing Grace

Any suggestion would be awesome to the max!

Thanks!!!

2

What songs I learned to play on were just simple songs out of everyday life such as: Amazing Grace, the Mexican Hat Dance, a couple of my band songs (I have been in a shcool band since Middle shcool), just basic stuff that you are familier with, that if you listen to you can play it. The thing that I did is I listend to a band (of any sorts) and try play one of my favorites, then I started listening to my favorite Celtic and Irish songs, and did the same thing. (I know that was somewhat off your topic but anyway) pick some simple Celtic or Irish songs and PRACTICE. This will give you a couple of songs. I hope this kindu helps. and make sure you know your whistle like if someone showed you the fingering you could sound out the note that way if you know the melody and the notes of the song it will be that much simpler to play.

Cheers

3

What songs I learned to play on were just simple songs out of everyday life such as: Amazing Grace, the Mexican Hat Dance, a couple of my band songs (I have been in a shcool band since Middle shcool), just basic stuff that you are familier with, that if you listen to you can play it. The thing that I did is I listend to a band (of any sorts) and try play one of my favorites, then I started listening to my favorite Celtic and Irish songs, and did the same thing. (I know that was somewhat off your topic but anyway) pick some simple Celtic or Irish songs and PRACTICE. This will give you a couple of songs. I hope this kindu helps. and make sure you know your whistle like if someone showed you the fingering you could sound out the note that way if you know the melody and the notes of the song it will be that much simpler to play.

Cheers

4

Got lots of Irish music and play the tunes you like! You’ll prgoress fast if you are enjoyng it.


I think my first real “whistle” tune was Road to Lisdoonvarna.

5

That’s creepy. I called my best friend Dash growing up, AND I’m in Pittsburgh. In any case, it’s nice to see you. I’m a beginner - haven’t even gotten a whistle for myself yet. I’m supposing I’ll start with a Sweetone or something like that. :astonished:)

Have a good one.

6

Hey. Where are you in Pittsburgh? I’m at school at Duquesne. If you are close, I can give you copies of some of the music I have. Good luck with the playing.

7

Hey Steve-o,

Hah…small world. I got accepted into Duquesne for PT so I’ll be there in a couple of months, but right now im in the White Oak/North Huntingdon area of Pittsburgh.

Thanks for your help everyone!

8

Welcome Dash

Someone else suggested these in an old thread:
Beginner Tunes that are easy to learn and play, and sound good:
Jigs: 10 penny bit, My darling asleep, Trip to Killavil
Reels: Cooley’s, Pidgeon on the gate,
Hornpipes: Off to California
Slow Airs: Blind Mary, Foggy Dew, Eamonn aCnoic, Carricfergus

Typing in the titles at these tune finders gives you several formats:
http://trillian.mit.edu/~jc/cgi/abc/findtune.html
mirror site
http://jc.tzo.net:1742/~jc/music/abc/findtune.html

To convert ABCs to MIDI or sheet music:
http://www.concertina.net/tunes_convert.html

There are some beginner tunes at:
http://www.whistletutor.com/index.htm

Enjoy.

9

Hi Dash—these are some websites that have some tunes and that I found helpful. They are all tutorials.

http://www.whistleworkshop.co.uk/home.htmYou can listen to slow and fast versions of the tunes in the lessons.
http://nigelgatherer.com/whist.html Scottish whistle, midi’s of the tunes in the lessons.
http://www.slowplayers.org/SCTLS/learn.htmlhow to learn by ear, structure of tunes for memorization, keys and modes of tunes—I thought this page was especially helpful in understanding a lot of things
http://www.slowplayers.org/SCTLS/playlist.html Not simple, but in many cases a slow and fast version to listen to
http://www.whistletutor.com/ Some videos of instructor playing whistle.
http://www.rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/index.html Samples to listen to of special techniques and tunes

I’m sure you will be able to find some tunes you like and liking them means you will practice!