I just started playing tin whistle a few weeks ago by coincidence. Really didn’t ever think I’d end up playing it. I played trumpet for maybe 3 months in 6th grade. I’m 20 now and decided I’d re-learn music over winter break (I’m really starting from scratch here…). First I thought I’d dig up my old recorder from 1st grade music class (since I can’t afford a guitar or whatever these days), and failing at that I went looking through my Mom’s dulcimer stuff. I came across a Walton’s D whistle, and decided at first sight that it was good enough to learn the basics, like musical notation, time, rythm, all that good stuff.
Anyways, I’ve been messing around with the whistle for 3 weeks now, and I’m getting bored with the tunes I’ve learned. So far I can play Amazing Grace, Cliffs of Doneen, Scarborough fair, and Shenandoah, and I can sight read anything really simple like Baa Baa Black Sheep or On Top of Old Smokey. I’m not at the level that I can play a jig or hornpipe or reel, right now I’m just in awe of anyone that can move their fingers that fast.
A few questions:
Any suggestions of interesting tunes that would be good for a beginner?
Polkas and waltzes are real good beginner tunes. Once your fingers are improving hornpipes are good transition.
For songs, pull out a hymnbook and learn to transpose. Also Star of the County Down, that’s a good one- beautiful tune, and unlike a lot of songs you can play it pretty fast and it still sounds very cool, but slowly it’s beautiful.
“Southwind” is a nice tune since it is reasonably slow and does get some play at least at my local session.
I too am a beginner. I am getting used to playing jigs and reels at about half the speed that an experienced player would, but I am told that with practice I will get faster
I like Arran Boat and Si Beag Si Mor. These are tunes that I learned right away. They’re both pretty simple. Si Beag Si Mor may be a little more difficult becuase of the range, but not too bad if you go slow.
Hi - As one beginner to another I can recommend ‘The Road to Lisdoonvarna’. There’s no nasty fingerings in it (specifically, no c natural shuffle ) You’ll find it on whistlethis.com
And don’t worry about the awe inspiring jigs and hornpipes. They are easily tamed by playing them straight and very slowly. Whilst, like me, you may not at this point be awesome, at least you know you’re learning the basics of a tune you can develop later as your skills progress.
I hadn’t found whistlethis.com, looks like a great site, I’ve been messing around with Star of the Country Down. I’m having a bit of difficulty with that, but I’ll get it, eventually…
) You’ll find it on