tuning help for a beginner

Whistle
1

Hi,

I just began learning to play the tin whistle. I have a Clarke Sweetone and a brass Clare, both in D. I have a couple of questions about tuning:

  1. What note should I use for tuning?

  2. How accurate can you make the whistle across its range? Do you have to compromise?

Thanks,

Sam

2

Tune on A… I haven’t had any problem playing mine in tune across it’s range..other’s have reported different levels of success..

3

G works the best. A is the note for that everybody tunes to at a session, usually from the Box player.

4

and don’t forget to warm your whistle before tuning.

5

Thanks for all the advice. I’ve been having trouble tuning the Clare – I seem to get one note, say G, in tune, but then the others are still off. I’ll keep trying.

6

I usually tune to A
i have invested in a KORG CA-30 chromatic tuner for a more accurate result with the band
under blowing or overblowing your whistle will soon take a note off pitch,
some whistles may need modifying to bring all notes into pitch by either covering part of a hole or enlarging it,
The KORG wasnt very expensive, is easy to use and well worth the investment in my eyes
Hope this helps
David

7

David – Thanks for the recommendation. As it happens, that is the tuner I am using. I agree that it is an excellent choice, especially for the price.

I am beginning to wonder if the Clare may be out of tune overall. In comparison, the Sweetone seems to have a more even response.