Irish Tin Whistle Lesson 1 - [The Basics] Start Here

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

You know by now that we offer a 14-Day free trial? Right? See for yourself why we are the home of Irish music: 👉 oaim.ie/sign-up/

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

This instrument is from England...

[@callan816]

Who else is watching without a whistle?

[@atherapeutictouch]

Mine is coming on Friday

[@callan816]

Shantel Hill ooo how exciting.. where from?

[@atherapeutictouch]

@@callan816 just off Amazon

[@atherapeutictouch]

@@callan816 do you have one ordered? They can be around $10-$20 for a beginner

[@callan816]

Shantel Hill I don’t but I have an Irish friend who lives down the road that has like 3 and she agreed to give me a whistle and a few lessons, so that’s where I’m getting mine.. the ones I could find online were quite expensive

[@9w2xyz]

Someone gave me a tin whistle years ago. Tried to learn on my own. In Asia. You can imagine. Kirsten is a Godsend.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Keep up to good work Alan! Where in Asia are you learning? Kirsten

[@brunachristine2932]

My tinwhistle arrived now. Not even finished the video and already played the first notes from The Lord of the Rings theme :D

[@claresmith9261]

Learning to just get all the notes right is taking time for me but I’ll keep at it and maybe perform the 2songs for my grandchildren shortly I’m 69 👍🏻

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

+Willow Shinon It sounds like you have a problem with the instrument. Cover the square hole with your fingers and blow hard through the instrument. Let me know if that improves the sound. Kirsten

[@IrishMusic-2015]

irishmusicacademy this is a great channel. Thanks for uploading your videos :D

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi - a plain generation or feadog or waltons whistle are good to start with - typically around 7 euros. Just make sure that it is in the key of D

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Everyone, It's Kirsten here :) Thanks for all the great comments and likes .. If anyone has ANY questions about the lessons, or general Irish music/whistle queries, please feel free to ask them here. Happy practicing !! And remember to subscribe to our channel and click the bell to get notified of our new video releases.

[@amirulpipe]

Hi Kristen. May I ask about your whistle and its characteristics? Is that a burke or a sindt? and can you tell me the difference between brass and aluminium in terms of their playing. Thanks Kristen

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

amirulpipe Hi, The whistle is a Sindt. I'm not sure what the difference is between brass and aluminium, but I prefer the brass whistles.. I think they have a warmer tone. K :)

[@thomascallahan2302]

irishmusicacademy Hi Kirsten, I have a question. My brother and I bought tin whistles this week. Because we didn't want the same key he chose a D and I chose a Bb freeman tweaked generation. I'm beginning to think I should have also chosen a D because they're aren't any tutorials on them. I have looked all over youtube and haven't found the notes for my whistle. Can you tell me what they are? thanks! Very nice video's!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

If you're a beginner, I'd recommend buying a D..

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

***** Hi Nick, You can find those note on the OAIM website here - oaim.ie/flute-progressives The name of the tune is 'The Ashplant'.

[@spinningpeanut]

I just got a tin whistle because i figured it could be a simple instrument to learn for my bard character in dungeons and dragons. I have been playing music for the last 20 years. The squeak tip was already the most helpful. My friends, even when you are a seasoned musician you still must go back to basics. Never think you are too good for the basics. Mastering something means you understand the basics and can call upon them at any time.

[@Mrjakleciziom]

Thank you for this video. You are beautiful Irish woman.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Everyone, Let me know where you're watching from and if you have any questions about this lesson post them below, Kirsten :)

[@petermortimer6303]

Watching from Auckland, New Zealand.

[@Gaffelglim]

Watching and learning from Kisa, Sweden. I purchased two whistles, one in C and the other in D. Seems D is the usual tuning, but what tunes does one play or accompany with on a C-tuned whistle?

[@smg13100]

Hi Kirsten, watching and learning from Co Tyrone:)

[@suesummers3988]

Hi Kirsten- my favorite part of your lessons is after you have us play with you after you teach a phrase/full song, you tell your us we were "brilliant"!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Peter !

[@76Browne]

I just bought a D whistle and I’m going to give it a try!! I’m watching from Newfoundland, Canada!!

[@theperminator]

Thanks for lesson 1. My daughters and I will be spending 30 minutes a day through this pandemic to learn the whistle together. Thanks for these videos!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Patrick, great project, good luck with it all ! Let me know how you are getting along. Kirsten

[@grot777]

That's awesome man

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

OAIM co-founder / tin whistle and flute tutor Kirsten Allstaff releases her new solo album "FOUR / 4". Watch her album promo of Uplifting Irish music with beautiful video @ kzbin.info/www/bejne/oovQqoSwbtGjqLM

[@Christophercoconut]

thank you so much. I just bouthg ,y tin wistle today and I am leaning from you . thank you so much. how nice of you .

[@rick2684]

Hey! My question is quite a bit out of the box. I was looking on youtube about the Tin Whistle, and found your video. I wanted to try it, so I went to the music store and bought one! As I find it not hygenic at all, I didn't try a few before I bought it, and just bought a Generation Nickle D. However, when I came home, I tried to play at it. The thing is, I just don't really get a clear sound out of it. If I blow as hard as I guess you do in this video, I get quite a skipped tone. I have to blow very very silently, and then the sound is okay. But at the moment I blow just a tiny bit harder, it gets an overleap or something. As I have no knowledge about Tin Whistles, I have no idea wether mine is okay or not. I went back to the store, and the guy said it was okay.. Once I got home, my father blew on it and told me it's not okay at all, and I doubt about it too. I understand it's difficult over the mail, but... have you any idea?

[@grot777]

Does your father play whistle? I had this problem alot when I first started and thought it was the whistle. After buying two more I realized it wasn't the whistle.... I didn't learn a trick that I could put into text here except keep practicing. Soon it will just become natural to use the appropriate force. Some whistles might be easier then others and it doesn't hurt to try another one and have two! But the key is to keep playing. All the time. Long after you lose all your friends and family from the racket you produce. You will look back and realize it's better this way as you rip out Down by the Sally garden in crystal clear notes and shed tears over both its beauty and all you have lost at the same time.

[@ACosmicCastaway]

Finally got my C and D tin whistles! Now I'm about to learn this awesome instrument.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Good luck with it and remember to keep practising (even a little) every single day. Let us know how you are getting along. Kirsten

[@purranoid]

I bought my tin whistle over 20 years ago on my honeymoon and never really picked it up. With the world the way it is right now, I am happy to find this channel and I have started to learn and play it this week. I am in Canada.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Let us know how you get along with that !

[@purranoid]

Online Academy of Irish Music will do! I decided to record my attempts and put them into a compilation video.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

@@purranoid We'd love to see that !!

[@gpl4908]

Yeah !! CANADA !!!!!!!!!!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Aniruddha - perhaps it's your whistle? Try soaking the fipple (top part) in warm soapy water (if it is tin). There may be an obstruction. Also try to blow gently - too much air flow can sometimes cause a shrill sound.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

It depends on the type of whistle you wish to buy. They can be as little as a few Euro's, and you can spend as much as a few hundred on one as well.. Fantastic instrument!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

I'm not sure what an English tin whistle looks like.. The whistle needs to be in the key of D and have six holes :)

[@ld7561]

This is awesome! Every beginner video I've seen, goes too fast, gives you the wrong information, lectures you about breathing.. She simply teaches you how to play, and addresses the issues we actually run into, like finger placement, and air leakage! I am so glad I found this channel!! Better than any one I found!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Neo-mw1pp]

This is bollix my whistle is goosed, sounds like a wailing banshee

[@fibre_foxx]

Blow much more softly. Try letting some air out through your nose to get a softer aiflow so you know how much needs to go through the whistle

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

The whistle in the video is in the key of D. Perhaps you need to adjust the fipple to get in tune.

[@mylow248]

im 15 and i live in rural southeast england. i basically have no chance of finding a teacher, and despite having my whistle for 3 days ive already fallen in love with it, more than any other instrument I've learnt!! i love practicing it, and i donr dread it like others ive learnt. thank you for this!!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Let us know if you have any questions .

[@frulica]

Hi, and thank you for this valuable lesson! I am from Serbia, I play our national type of flute called "frula" for about 8-9 years now, (not very active, though) and I am a self-learner. This lesson showed me several things I learned wrong, like holding the flute, and parts of the fingers we should close the holes with. A lot of work for me now to correct these mistakes. I can't wait to see what you show in the next lessons. Thank you for your noble and generous effort on this channel. God bless you!

[@jolleychris123]

I just got a tin whistle for christmas - like many who will watch this I'm sure! - and thought this video was a really nice introduction. Thank you! One thing that struck me as odd, you mention the fingering for 'F', is there any way to get an F#? I presumed that a typical major scale (in this case D) would be possible, but guessing not the case? That said I guess playing in D dorian is what allows this to work really well in folk music (something else that I am new to on the whole!) Thanks for a great video, Instant subscribe from me and I look forwards to watching more!

[@BrendaHolloway]

If you got a tin whistle, it almost certainly is in the key of D, which means F# and C# come for free. You can get G# to play in high A Maj by half fingering an A, and you can play in G Maj by cross-fingering a C natural. Now, playing in C Maj or Bb Maj -- you'll want to get a whistle in the key of C.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

F is the same as F sharp here. Apologies that isn't more clear.

[@jolleychris123]

irishmusicacademy Thanks very much! +brenda holloway too. Just wondering, you have a really nice sort of vibrato effect on some of the notes you play in your videos - for want of a better word! - have you done a video on how to achieve that on the tin whistle? I found your flute one which was also very nice.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Chris Jolley Glad you liked the lessons :) We have a free video on the website all about vibrato.. It's from the first of our three expert whistle courses. Here's the link - oaim.ie/free-lessons/189 OAIM.IE has ten FREE whistle lessons covering many different aspects of playing tin whistle, check them out here - oaim.ie/free-lessons/whistle

[@jolleychris123]

Thank you so much! I will check these out asap. Spare a thought for our lucky neighbours! ;)

[@ChubbyGreenDuck]

I have a question. What is the natural key of this whistle. And also, what kind of whistle is played in the song morning nightcap by lunasa. Im really interested in learning all the parts and i'm wondering what type of whistle to buy.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

I'm using a whistle in the key of D, which is the key 99% of Irish musicians start off with. OAIM tutor Kevin Crawford is playing in D minor using a C Whistle in the Lúnasa - Morning Nightcap (Glasgow, 2007) set of tunes. I hope this helps! Kirsten :)

[@ChubbyGreenDuck]

thank you so much!

[@harrybond007]

I can play all the notes, just not in the right order

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Funny, keep practicing !

[@codyprouty7144]

Can you please tell us where to find and purchase the entire intro song as played by Thomas Johnston? It's an amazing rendition, an inspiring piece to beginning players, but frustrating to have the video tease and not find the entire song anywhere. Can we contact Thomas to obtain it? Thank you :-)

[@deborahdowdy1275]

Just started learning to play my tin whistle. .love it you are very easy to follow is there any sheet music for beginners? Will be following your lessons .thanks

[@mikeymartin80]

I love Irish music it’s almost haunting

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hey, We love hearing how far Irish music has spread it's wings - where are you watching from?

[@Dcalzaretta]

I'm in Walla Walla, Washington. I excited to get started. Thanks for the lessons!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Dan, brilliant, how are you getting along? Kirsten

[@Dcalzaretta]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusic Going great! I am trying to do one lesson per day. Do you recommend doing more than that, or repeating lessons before moving to the next lesson? Also, how much practice do you suggest daily? Thanks so much!

[@Sylkenwolf]

Kirsten, thank you so much for a wonderful lesson! I had almost given up because of hand cramps, but after seeing your informative video, I figured out I was holding my whistle wrong! Thanks for the new insight!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Great! Let me know if you need any other help :)

[@Sylkenwolf]

Ok, Thanks, and I certainly will. The lessons are going great as of yet! So appreciative of your lessons! ;)

[@willowshinon4564]

if I blow with all 6 holes covered, it sounds decent. But if I blow with 3 covered, it sounds worse? Shouldn't it be the opposite: since less holes to be covered means less holes to cover properly. And if I try with anything other than 3 or 6 it sounds terrible -_-

[@willowshinon4564]

also, when I blow with NO fingers, it sounds terrible. Shouldn't that at least sound normal, since it's an actual note that doesn't require any holes blocked?

[@weavilefrost7034]

I know this is really old, but if you still care: The more holes you uncover in a tin flute, the more you have to blow on it, unlike a normal flute. Otherwise, is going to sound out of tune. For me, the top 3 holes are the hardest since is really finicky to get them to tune without overblowing, which also messes the pitch.

[@nachtarachan]

I'm not sure if you're ever gonna read this but maybe you could zoom (and show this part on the left side of the screen) to the whistle/fingers when playing the tunes or showing how to hold the whistle. You could also add the sound you're playing at the moment. I think this would help many beginners :)

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi, I'll definitely look into zoom - thanks!

[@deetee-uk]

Complete novice and this is really great for getting me started.

[@soupicles3383]

It's good to be Irish

[@xxdrawwithjenniferxx2348]

Evan Playz I am Irish

[@opl1max]

Hello , which you recommend me these flutes (whistles) to start ?. Thank you. Best regards from Argentina.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Luis, We'd recommend Generation or Fedóg Whistles to start off. Remember to buy one in the key of D. Kirsten

[@opl1max]

okidoki . thanks

[@usernamemykel]

Strangely, your whistle resembles my John Sindt, which I bought in 1999 for $60 + $3 shipping. (Obviously before his whistles became VERY popular and two-three year waiting lists were common - along with the high (but worth it) prices. Unknown if John is still producing them - supposedly he's in his 80's.

[@johndelaney9611]

Always wanted to learn this instrument which is so easy to carry around not like my stringed instruments. very impressed with the quality and pace and as a 72 year old I am now determined to learn it, even if it means a Divorce because I also have a Banjo. Best wishes from an ex Pat in Sydney

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi John, Glad you liked it ! Let us know if you have any queries :)

[@shantelambrose9203]

I wish I could see the letter of the notes pop up as she plays them.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Irish music is about developing your ear, however, the ABC's and sheet music are on the site - www.oaim.ie

[@sherriemuldoon8618]

Hello from Oklahoma! Thank you so much for these lessons! I played the flute most of my life and wanted to learn the tin whistle. Your videos are super helpful.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Sherrie, thanks for the comment! Delighted you like the vids. Loads more here - www.oaim.ie/tin-whistle/learn-tin-whistle/

[@fresherhank5184]

Hello! In which the note is your tin whistle ? I want to buy a tin whistle, but i don't know in which note must be is ( G, F, Eb, D, C, Bb ). Or doesn't matter ? Thanks you !

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Hank, It does matter that you get the whistle in the right key. The one I'm using for the lessons is in the key of D - Let me know if you need further advise - Kirsten :)

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi! The piano has adapted itself well into Irish traditional music and I think it would sound great with your new whistle. I used to have a Clarke myself. They are really sweet sounding - Enjoy!

[@tlpresources]

Very helpful - you're a good teacher. I couldn't even get started - till now.. Thanks!

[@L7na_yt]

Is it just me or if you play it all together while you’re practicing with her it sounds like an amber alert?

[@Miffyjijijijijij]

Yeah same

[@maureenhennigan6465]

I now can play Mary had a little lamb & freojaca🎉😀

[@davididdon3176]

Hi. I used to play a tin whistle when a student (a very long time ago). I am watching in North Yorkshire, England.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi David, great to hear from you! Let us know how you're progressing or if you have any questions.

[@trishdemasky402]

Very easy to follow and understand. I am working on lesson one. Thank you so much for your gift of teaching!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Trish Demasky Thanks for the lovely note Trish. Post here if you need help in any way. Good luck! Kirsten :)

[@periodicfive996]

My time playing to clarinet has made this feel natural. Well except for the actual blowing, YOU HAVE TO BLOW SO SOFT WITH THIS. -_- dont make this comment dirty.

[@patwalsh6587]

Thank you for your time and posting this for all. " IT IS PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN"

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

You're welcome Pat !

[@jackking9134]

Jack- Thank you so much for your lessons. I am a beginner as I have only had my whistle for a week. I first heard the whistle while listening to Andre Rieu awhile back and then I found you. I’m watching you from Virginia, US.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Jack, thanks for letting us know where you're watching in from. Keep up the practice and let us know how you're progressing or if you have any questions :)

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Delighted that you like the song. Unfortunately, I don't think that it's available for sale, sorry.

[@aspektx]

Thank you Kirsten and OAIM.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Thanks for the comment! Have you been practicing?

[@aspektx]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusic Yes! but I will admit its been with a different tune now.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Cool, what's the tune?

[@aspektx]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusic The first part of Maid Behind the Bar, which is a bit fast for me. So I've been trying my hand at The Blackest Crow as well. (The version by Bruce Molsky.)

[@katkitty1235]

Hello. I keep squeaking on the three bottom notes, D, E, and F#. I can sometimes hit the note if I blow quietly but can never make it the whole way through a scale. Is there anything I can improve on to help those notes come out? I have tried adjusting my finger positions but it does not seem to help. Any advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Sorry for the late reply - Try covering the square hole in the mouth piece and blow hard through the tin whistle. This should remove any condensation build up which is often the reason for this squeaking. Let me know if that helps ...

[@katkitty1235]

Great! Thank you so much for the advice! I will be sure to try it!

[@irelandserverferrersegura4021]

I love Ireland, i want to learn irish and música💚🇮🇪🍀✌️

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Have you got a tin whistle?

[@irelandserverferrersegura4021]

Yes

[@irelandserverferrersegura4021]

Im practising

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

The tune is the Ashplant .. Played by OAIM Tutor Thomas Johnston.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Thanks for the great comment! Good luck with your instrument.

[@pasereca]

Muchas gracias por enseñarnos, saludos desde México

[@paulinesheafer3606]

Thanks for an excellent first lesson , good teacher (NZ)

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Big hello from Ireland Paul, delighted you like the lesson and thanks for commenting :)

[@paulinesheafer3606]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusic Yip, keep up the good work, we were in Ireland last year, loved it. Not enough time tho. Take care. Go The Mighty All Blacks!

[@simo9445tsns]

Now I just need a tin whistle.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Everyone, It's Kirsten here :) Thanks for all the great comments .. If anyone has ANY questions about the lessons, or general Irish music/whistle queries, please feel free to ask them here. Happy practicing !!

[@allbadtillthunker.employee2363]

Hello I'm a newbie very happy tin whistle new owner for three cents of cheap cash! I absolutely never knew how much your teaching got me awake. Thankyou. Its so beutifull to play along with you. Its been good I'm pretty stressed out. So much great lessons changed my outlook. Love you very much but I am very shy. Gay. I want a man to teach me. Sad I know but that's how nature is! Now letsbwhatch the media capitalise and try and push for me to hate men and have tin whistle playing in there adds.

[@melissacummings8981]

I am so grateful for this video💜 and you're so clear and concise. I love it!

[@ethanlittle5489]

my whistle is in the key of c. RIP

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Lol - have you ordered a D whistle yet? Kirsten

[@ethanlittle5489]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusic No, i need to learn this one first.

[@allbadtillthunker.employee2363]

Incredible sound and crazy knots of sounds are hard to handle . I've just learnt today. Had it agers ago as well got my fingers straighter.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Keep practicing !

[@claireshaw5379]

Were in cork can I take my grandkids to play the tin whistle

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Claire, you can take them to Comhaltas to learn or try teaching them on the OAIM website - www.oaim.ie

[@chavahfried569]

Your web sight is Amazing! Thank you for the KZbin clips. It's so frustrating that SOMETIMES I hit all the notes and ay when song and then air leak form somewhere and avh@#$##! Sounds terrible or no sound st all. It looks like a simple thing g to play!! Does anyone else experience this frustration?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi, try covering the square hole and blow hard through the tin whistle. This should clear out any condensation in there that may be affecting the tone. Let me know if that works.

[@verty87]

Hello Kirsten, I've just bought a cheap Feadog whistle in the key of D. Can you tell me if it's faulty, as the only way that I can get a clear note out of it is to blow very very gently. Any slight increase in breath and the sound changes completely to a much higher pitch, squeaks/ear splitting high pitched cacophony etc. I am a complete beginner, with zero knowledge, but I feel sure that I should be able to blow slightly harder without this distortion. I don't mean painfully loud but a sensible volume, because at the moment it's pretty inaudible. I'd appreciate any advice or tips, thank you.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

+verty87 Try holding your finger over the square hole on the mouth piece and blow hard through the whistle (there should be no note produced). Let me know how the whistle works after doing this. Kirsten :)

[@verty87]

+irishmusicacademy Thank you Kirsten, I did try that earlier after reading it here, but still the same. Hard to explain really without you hearing the volume, but anything over a tiny amount of breath (sort of a sighing sound....sorry if sounding weird but hard to explain in print), results in a series of shrill, higher pitched racket...not at all pleasant. I think I understand about overblowing, but this amount of volume doesn't seem enough. The whistle only cost £4, should I have paid more?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Cheap whistles are fine as long as you can get a tone from them. It sounds like a faulty whistle, so I'd suggest going to a music store and trying out a few different ones to see if you can get a proper tone. If you can, buy a new one - if not, let me know, record the whistle and I'll listen to a clip of your playing to give some feedback. Kirsten :)

[@verty87]

+irishmusicacademy Thanks again Kirsten, I won't bother you with recording my pathetic attempts at trying to get a clear note, probably, as you say it's a faulty instrument. One further question if I may....I've noticed that the fifth hole from the mouthpiece is bigger than the others, could this be a design flaw and therefore the reason why I can't get a clear note?

[@nager1345]

verty87 the 5th hole should be larger

[@jycath4122]

Thank you for your nice lesson. 😊 Greetings from Brittany

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Glad you liked it! Hi from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@benicio1967]

This is such an incredible gift. I bought a tin whistle 3 years ago and someone stole it before I could get my first lesson. I was really so disappointed someone would take something that I held so dear. I just bought another one today. I’m thrilled I found this. I’m now a subscriber. Thank you so much! Looking forward to learning as much as I possibly can. It’s such a beautiful instrument! Hello from the USA!

[@madmax7201]

I'm not planning to learn to play this instrument yet, but let me tell you it's such a good tutorial for beginners. Even perfect.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Thanks!

[@irissagar1080]

Hello from Canada. I study the double bass and hope to be a composer, so I'm trying to pick up a few different instruments. Thanks for the great video!

[@cemerencakmakci]

Very informative and understandable.

[@caiovalente505]

I'm from Brazil and I'm very glad that I'm starting to get invested on this marvelous instrument, thanks Kirsten!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi from Ireland !

[@StopFear]

Thank you for the music lesson, lady!

[@ildarmingazov2304]

Hey there! In point of view it is a French folk music. If I make mistake please correct me. Thank you!

[@felixbetula8772]

Happy New Year, and thank you to Kirsten & Co. for posting this. Learning the tin whistle has been on my "to do" list for a couple of years now. I hope to be able to produce a not-too-squeaky "Whiskey in the Jar" by 17th March, to go with my masterly four-chord guitar version of said song. All the best, and good luck to my fellow beginners on here!

[@TechTins_Projects]

Hi this is great. Just to confirm, I take it you really meant to say F# at the start not F?

[@seamusbrowne4909]

F# but where is C#???🤔🤔🤔

[@ME-hs1ie]

What does the # mean? Does that mean the note is a high F or low F?

[@trilbyedwards2168]

F sharp (#) is the full name of the note we hear when we cover the 1st 4 holes of the whistle. The note F (or F natural - it's full name - can't be played on the D whistle.

[@gayatrisanjaynesarikarms3848]

Hello Kirsten, thanks very much for your tutorial! :) I just purchased one of the Clarke's Original tin whistle in D and it is very breathy. I used to play a little bit of Bamboo flute (in key of A) but this one requires much much more breath than that. How can I check if my whistle is faulty or not? Do tin whistles really require so much of breath?

[@maynorurbina9698]

Hola estan super buenos estos videos pero no me sirven en ingles y quisiera saver si pudieran acer uno en español o si no subtitularlo esto nos serviria a muchisima gente que tenemos ganas de aprender

[@Fremder14]

Antes deberias aprender español quizas... "saver" "acer". Ni puntos, ni comas :/

[@grandma.p]

How do you clean your tin whistle?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Pam, You blow through the whistle while holding your finger over the square hole. This releases any build up of condensation in the tin whistle which can distort the tone. Also you can wash it through with soapy water, make sure to rinse it very well before playing again. Let me know if that helps. Kirsten :)

[@grandma.p]

Hi Kirsten, I was wondering. Once a week I give my plastic recorders a bath in a bowl of soapy (dish washing liquid) water. Would it hurt the tin whistle if I put it in there, too? I have sticks with fabric threaded in it to clean out the recorders after I play them, but they don't fit into the whistle. Is there something like this available?

[@Spreemusik2]

very good tutorial

[@seasharpdeflat]

I bought a wooden whistle but it wooden whistle. So I bought a steel whistle but it steel wooden whistle. Then I bought a tin whistle. Now I tin whistle. (stolen from the movie Sweet Land)

[@pwalsh2441]

Thank you Kirsten from Massachusetts, USA

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi from Ireland!

[@mohamedatismail]

Excellent tutorial. So easy to follow. Thank you. Keep it up.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Mohamed, delighted you like it, thanks for letting us know !!

[@PopTartNeko]

is it played the same way as a recorder? can a person who has some knowledge of recorders be aple to play this easily

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

+PopTartNeko The fingering does differ slightly, but yes, it helps if you play recorder. Kirsten :)

[@thunderwaltz6157]

half the battle! breath control and knowing when to take cheat breathes. think u will make a fine whistle player :)

[@__-hh3gt]

Thanks for the video. pls what mean D key whistle and C whistle. I'm a beginner. whitch key should I buy. Thanks

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Hasan, you should buy a tin whistle in the key of D. A $10 Generation or Fedóg would be perfect for starting off. Kirsten :)

[@__-hh3gt]

Online Academy of Irish Music Thanks for kind reply,

[@carlosaarango]

Your F is actually a F#.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Yes it's F#. It's not possible to play F on the tin whistle without half holing. Kirsten :)

[@enara888]

Witch is the name of the fist song? the one in the introduction. i really like it

[@karindietre3968]

You're so sweet!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

RICK BORST - Hi, Try covering the small square hole on the mouth piece and blowing through the whistle very hard. This may clear the fipple (mouth piece) of any condensation that may have built up in there. Please let me know how you get along with that. Kirsten :)

[@TheFarkKnight]

Thank you! You're a great gift to beginners.

[@applesmith9137]

I can never get the high notes, they always turn into shrill whistles :( it’s not that air is leaking out, it’s something with how I blow in to it

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi, Try covering the square hole in the mouth piece and blow hard through the whistle. Let me know if this improves the tone.

[@Miffyjijijijijij]

I live in weford and if u know the ramsgrange ns is back to playing the tin whistle after christmas and when everyone has their tin whistle. And I am a student in 3rd class so ua I just want to leran a few things before so bye

[@paolos22]

What note is the whistle in? I know the scale is D. Is it a D whistle? Thanks, looking forward to learning!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi, this is a D tin whistle. There is all this info plus a great FAQ section on this page - www.oaim.ie/tin-whistle/learn-tin-whistle/

[@OneDrunkWizard]

Thank you for asking this I was curious too.

[@Mullerology]

My right had is always at the top. I know that is an unorthodox stance, but my brain refuses to let me process it any other way 😂

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

All good, keep practising :)

[@davidthompson1622]

Thank you for my first lesson Kirsten

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi David, you're so welcome!

[@melpasculli]

Hi Kirsten, I'm in need of your help please! A couple of day ago I bought a tin whistle in D. However when I started playing along with your video, I quickly noticed that my whistle is sounding almost a semi tone flatter than yours! Am I right in understanding that you have a D whistle there, that sounds in C? The name 'D whistle' simply meaning that it plays more easily on scales of D? So, have I got my ideas completely mixed up, or do I have a faulty whistle?! I guess even if my whistle sounded in D (440hz) that would sound a tone higher, not a semi tone? Really confused! Thanks, Melanie

[@jacquelineba3331]

HOla , please ask them would want to put the videos also subtitled in Spanish , since there are no tutorials for this in Spanish on any side . Thank you very much !

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi, We have beginner tin whistle lessons in German and French - No Spanish yet, sorry - oaim.ie/lessons-a-courses/whistle