Some Thoughts on the Irish Pennywhistle

[@ErikTheFlutemakerCom]

A tin whistle is a penny whistle made out of tin. A wood pennywhistle is made of wood. A bamboo whistle is made with bamboo. Regards, Erik

[@bethel98]

I bought a penny whistle several years ago with the dream of learning to play Irish tunes. Over time, it sadly came to reside in my Desk Drawer of Broken Dreams and only pulled out to use as a back scratcher. Watching and listening to Erik made me ashamed to have neglected and abused (back scratcher) an object that makes such beautiful music. I will give it another try. Thank you, Erik.

[@gypsyman535]

Please take it back up. I have taken it up and bought a cheap clarke tin whistle not knowing if I myself would stick to it. I have make ok progress. I'm not musically gifted but I've made pretty good progress. Believe me if I can do it I promise you,you can!!

[@BillGoose1313]

I haven't been to the NY Renaissance Festival in many years - but seeing Erik perform was worth the price of admission by itself. He's exceptionally talented and is a genuinely nice guy. See him if/when you can.

[@AntonioKowatsch]

I love this guy. He introduced me to the the magical world of Irish folk music. I'll be forever grateful for that.

[@fidhead1232]

he is like the bob ross of music

[@nerdofgod4167]

ikr. anybody that makes instruments out of carbon fiber is a boss.

[@thomaschilds8781]

I came here to write this, but you beat me to it

[@lisaeverett9819]

Exactly!

[@thtpst7827]

Lmfao 🤣 so true...

[@Thnielsen85]

a wise old man once told me that the key to playing great music is to let it come from the heart, and i belive you found the key :) its fantastic to watch you play. you look so relaxed and joyfull, and the music is amazing.

[@stretchchi]

I ordered one of your whistles as a Christmas present to myself and I seriously can’t put it down. I LOVE it. Thank you for sharing your gift with me!

[@ErikTheFlutemakerCom]

Sweet! Thank you! These notes bring me joy. Erik

[@frankbags462]

this dude is awesome. i should be doing homework but this is way more interesting

[@danmolnar9751]

Erik, you have no idea how many hours of enjoyment you have given me with the D penny whistle that I purchased from you. I love this whistle and I love the sound it produces. Thank you!

[@ZebaNaqvi]

One of my favorite videos. Would love to meet a person like him.

[@cristineees]

It was a really professional useful sound advice which we cant get on most of the videos in KZbin

[@Canuckmom128]

Eric ..you rock. Your rule of 5 is awesome, and you are an excellent teacher. I learned more from your ten minute video than from some books. Thanks

[@Rayxl1]

I always think the penny whistle is a musical miracle. Such a simple and cheap instrument yet produces music of such quality and emotion often unsurpassed by far more expensive and complex instruments.

[@malahamavet]

And here we are, 10 years later... and this video it's just great

[@istvankrisztiankalincsak2790]

Thank you, Sir! An exceptional musician and an awesome teacher meets in your person, you remind me of the wise Bards I knew many lives ago....

[@michaelpetersson2931]

Hi there. My name is Michael and im from Sweden. Im a saxophon Player but i just get my first tin whistle. I love your way to play. In my dreams i really would like to play like you on the whistle.

[@scetin8184]

Hi this is Selcen after 12 years later. Omg this is amazing! Im gonna try to explain what kind of amazing. I was following your youtube videos in 2008 ~2010, i was into the irish flute in those days... because of this video 😀 then today years years later, i heard a flute voice. Than i remember you! 💫 hey! There was a flute maker and his name is ...Erik!😀 than i searched and found you. And i want to say Hello from Turkey!😀 nice to remember and see you again. Have a nice day Mr. Flute Maker! ♥️ i hope when somebody read it, put a smile on their face as i do now😁 (dude 12 years! This is amazing)

[@ErikTheFlutemakerCom]

Hi Selcen: It is nice to know many have enjoyed our work, music and videos all around the world. I wish you all the best! God bless you, Erik the flutemaker

[@LowSkillSurvival]

Finally, found this video again. T'was almost a decade since i viewed it the first time.

[@Danielblco0]

What a lovely man, I'm buying a whistle tomorrow!

[@honeyjean1000]

me too ;)

[@anjknelson9013]

Thank you for making this video. You make it seem easy to learn. I have just ordered a Woodi C and D (they come together) and a Dixon low D, which will arrive here in December (2022). I love your sounds! AND the stringed instruments on the wall behind you. Thanks again.

[@StudioTerrafemina]

Dear Mr. Engaging Kind Wonderfull. You are teaching our son Eli (8) to play the penny whistle. He is doing well . . . thank you very much Sir! Warmest regards from Vancouver Island :)

[@ErikTheFlutemakerCom]

Awesome! Go Eli!!!! And Blessings from the bamboo garden in Florida. Erik the flutemaker

[@sebastienschubert2991]

Getting back on the flute wagon I watch this video everytime for inspiration

[@datura1983]

nothing in the world puts me in the zone more than beautiful celtic music, whether its the more subtle beautiful naturey stuff or the uplifting dance music with the violins, i just love all of it :) must be my celtic ancestry. i have to visit ireland one day. i been to england down in devon and the landscapes look so much alike and devon has a lot of celtic people there, but i really want to visit the source next time :) it was a weird feeling being in devon because so many people looked like me!! lol.. lots of fair skinned blue/green eyed people :) i think its good for people to visit places where their ancestors are from :) it felt like going home to a place i never lived, but it felt like home. ive missed that ever since. still cry about it sometimes... they were so nice and so down to earth.. they didnt have the aggressive rat race american mentality that i live in everyday where people are always rude, loud and pushy. i live in baltimore, so its like that all the time here and i just cant ever feel settled here.. its never felt like home even though born and raised here. just dont relate.

[@stephenaholmes10]

Agreed, from a fellow Celt :)

[@CapnPhry]

datura1983 I agree completely. It's like a stirring in the blood that others don't seem to comprehend.

[@Adam-jk8mb]

datura1983 I'm Irish it's nice here

[@robertjohnevans1674]

Ah your missing something special, I'm Welsh living in Wales but I had a grandfather who was born Ireland , you must have heard of the Irish welcome it's true, I live a ferry ride away but what a different country Ireland is the people are so friendly its unreal , if possible try and get over to the west of Ireland magical the bars will have proper music there, love Ireland always will special.

[@craigwilliams9279]

I feel the same way.... I am a mix of Irish, Welsh and Manx. I just get lost in in Celtic music so easily... I hear it and instantly think "this is MY music."

[@insightvideo6136]

I can tell you that this man’s instruments are amazing! Thank you Erik!

[@Luke-it5oz]

I watched this video 10 years ago and immediately purchased his D Whistle. The import tax into the UK was steep but I love it and still play it regularly. It still has that charred wood smell at the finger holes. The first song I learned was Eriks own Forest of Dreams.

[@DrN77777]

you are amazing and charming! I really want to go buy one of these now!!!

[@MongoSoose]

Wow! I noticed your a genius and I hope people see that...I’m so privileged... With respect, Your instruments will be a fortune in the future when you leave your legacy to live on....That’s the Artist I see.

[@ErikTheFlutemakerCom]

Thank you. Perhaps my greatest compliment.Grace to you, Erik

[@bveracka]

This is probably the most insight you could ever pack into ten minutes; AND you deliver it so well. Excellent video! Now that I've spent a bit of time with my Clarke D whistle, I think I may treat myself to one of your more fancy (and likely much better sounding) bamboo whistles. I'm also a big fan bamboo in general. In the suburbs it's a great plant to "build" a nice "wall" between you and any unruly neighbors =) ..and then someone like yourself uses the stuff to fashion a great whistle! ~Best Regards from Cape Cod, MA

[@Felipe-pd8xh]

+Brandon Veracka why these flags?

[@bveracka]

Felipe Oliveira Each one represents my ancestral nationalities. I'm American though; and a 3rd generation American for most all nationalities except Ireland & Scotland. I just thought it'd be a cool avatar.

[@nerueru5756]

As a person who doesn't play, I am very grateful for your informative and entertaining video.

[@ShaneIrwin7]

This was golden. Thank you. So glad I watched. You have a way.

[@kingofkards91]

Very nice! I love hearing jazz on the pennywhistle. So interesting!!

[@ErikTheFlutemakerCom]

Yes all penny whistles. The one you first hear in the song at the beginning is the D whistle not seen in the video but available on my website. Regards, Erik

[@workwithnature]

You are a funny guy and you present this video so well. Cheers :)

[@halfacat1]

that sounds beautiful... that tone...

[@AuroraSnowflake]

..Sounds from heaven....i feel so wonderful listening to that......

[@aliyahholland6872]

You make me feel like I'm lying in a field with no troubles in the world :)))

[@Brightstar27]

That thing sounds like like it is opening a rift into another wolrd when you play it... it echoes beautifully!! I love it.

[@ciscojulian5552]

thank you for this video, I love all types of music including Scottish/Irish music. My blood line goes back to Hawaiian Scottish Irish on my mom side and Filipino Spanish Peruvian on my dad side. My dad was a musician and could play all types of insturments but would never teach us any of his music talent. So now I’m self-taught playing various instrument including guitar, ukulele, American Indian flute and now I’m going to teach my self the tin flute and came across your video which I appreciate it a lot. I do go to the Scottish High land games in Northern California and enjoy the sound of the Irish music that is played there. Thank you again and Much Aloha for the lesson on learning the Penny whistle

[@marlesimms]

your jazz whistle playing is super innovative

[@edwardmorton6691]

The magic 5 theory is quite interesting and works very well for making something up on the spot to impress your mates. Great tips all round from a very generous gentleman.

[@Doobster67]

I am just starting to learn the whistle and this has helped, thank you.

[@JerseyGriff]

i could listen to this all day, its just fantastic

[@mdemusica944]

so beautiful sound

[@starsprinkels]

You are so awesome. Love it. Good teacher.

[@Wullamudulla]

I recieved my Penny Whitle in C yesterday and have been playing for a few hours now. I can happily recommend this flute to anyone who is trying to decide whether to get one. It is well made, sturdy and the bamboo is rather pretty. It sounds great. Also the bag it comes with it worth mention because it is quite thick so as to protect the whislte, but also pretty in its own right (It has a South American(?) design). The shipping process was also extremly quick. I ordered and had received within a week despite me being in Australia and Erik the Flutemaker being based in Florida.

[@ErikTheFlutemakerCom]

The C whistle has a sweet spirit. And that would be exotic Cocobolo wood. Grows on the Pacific rim between Mexico and Nicaragua. I also make them in Carbon Fiber now too. Thanks for the kind words, Erik the flutemaker

[@vinni3romer0]

Totally going to buy one of your whistles

[@liamcolleran2584]

ive been playing the tin whistle for ten years and i was taught to play it by the biggest trad organisation in ireland and in 2 minutes u blew my mind

[@ErikTheFlutemakerCom]

Hi Liam! Great comment. All the best to you, Erik the flutemaker

[@alexyorgy1509]

you fill me with joy. you look like angel in human being I love you man thanks and God bless you

[@levi033]

I'm love with that Irish stuff. And you are such a nice person Erik. Thank you for sharing these miracles. By the way, I startred to play flute because of you. :)

[@sshepard5222]

You make everything so magical!

[@Charlie_127]

You are a very good teacher. Thankyou!

[@ErikTheFlutemakerCom]

Thank you, that was sweet! Erik

[@phantomgmg533]

you give me much more of a great understanding to doing self taught and i wish you could show much much more or give me more tips thanks Erik so much

[@lonnieke]

I made a lot of bamboo flutes using your box, thanks Erik!

[@blainesenior9981]

I truly love your approach to this lesson. Very helpful. Thank you!

[@WildHawkShadow]

You have convinced to take up this as a third instrument! I love these so much and they are so beautiful! Thanks so much!

[@Argyll9846]

Great stuff mate - lots of smiles here and lot I learned. Thanks! Even though there is some sound production going on here I can hear the richness of tone in your whistle.

[@corinnatauschke8104]

I Love this video!!! Soooo great! And inspired!!

[@ericwatkins8523]

This is SO great! I'm an amateur composer. Inspired by a recent vacation, I have ordered two whistles. One in D (of course right) and one in C. I'm so glad to have run across your youtube page. What an inspiration you are! Thank you!

[@kimwhite8877]

An absolutely lovely sound!!! Just wish to learn to play like you do!! I can feel the music, to the point my husband is making whistles out of recyclables, Thank you x

[@heero7yui]

this is pure magic..wow

[@TTrmetal]

tinwhistle has an amazing sound. thanks for the tips. Your website is very insteresting also.

[@Irish780]

Im irish and play tin whistle. Think u were very clear and done a good tutor job

[@1991Q]

amazing sound

[@CruelWorldVids1]

Wow, what a rich a full tone.

[@liberator206]

Beautiful!

[@NoisePlank]

i dont evne play and i feel ive learnt an entire years worth of committed whistling in just 10 minutes, you're fantastic!

[@gamer-ff6mh]

So beautiful Erik... you play it so peacefully and passionately... it is like swimming on waves... inspiring music... Certainly, you love what u r doing ... :)

[@lindareese4579]

Hi Erick..I'm going to buy your Irish flute next...

[@janecormier7814]

Thanks for the lesson

[@tvojaSuja]

What would I do without you :) Thank you sooooo much

[@Geonordis]

Very nice Mr Erik! Very nice.. Cheers

[@boand6129]

Thank you for your lesson. It was good for me..

[@marksimmonds6690]

I feel so inspired to learn this haunting and and joyous instrument thank you for all your time and all best wishes -now to find a nice penny whistle :)

[@ErikTheFlutemakerCom]

Hi Mark: You might want to visit our website. We ofer D and C whistles at erik the flutemaker . com

[@Vahalio]

Amazing!

[@shadowdemondante2889]

Oh I remember that my friends dad told me in his old days in Ireland they had a irish penny flute in the bar while drinking and singing in a group about Loch Ness

[@Brickcellent]

Loch Ness is in Scotland not Ireland.

[@jimif6468]

He is great !

[@TheMrJadefyre]

this guy is amazing.. anyone else feel like it would be like going to like Narnia to visit this guy?

[@PSRautoharp]

Thank you. I love the tin whistle, I just wish I could play better. However, it's folk like you that give me the encouragement to keep going.

[@HistoryBuffSue]

That's a great video! I learned a lot in just a few minutes!

[@mheermance]

Good lesson, and I like the hat.

[@morganscott5189]

I have wanted one of your penny whistles for years. I will get one eventually! i am a huge fan of your work and the things you do. I just ordered the clarke celtic tin whistle in D because it was cheap on ebay. but i hope in time to eventually be able to afford one of yours :D

[@pipesbillyok]

That was Brilliant!!!

[@games68775]

I love this guy

[@INDYOSKARS]

Thanks Erik, wonderful video, blessings to you and yours and you all have a very merry Christmas. Have you done a video playing "God rest ye merry gentlemen" on the minor flute ? If not please do.

[@ErikTheFlutemakerCom]

It is called Forest of Dreams found on the albums On That note (with a fast ending) and on Perfectly Mellow a shorter version ending in a quiet finish. Both songs are found in Erik's cd page and can be downloaded. at eriktheflutemaker will help you get to the cd page.

[@Sluxslol]

He has a website. There's a link in the description if you haven't noticed yet. I highly recommend them.

[@MatthiasPendragon]

I recently bought a pennywhistle and have begun to learn, and this video was one of the primary reasons. Sadly I had to buy a cheap one, as I'm usually near broke. I hope one day to be able to purchase one of your excellent instruments to replace it!

[@sammikinsderp]

I'd very much love to hear a full copy of the song from this beginning of this video.

[@MaxiMaxTalks]

You're an awesome player!!!

[@Hellizw2]

Amazing play :o... Jut got chills all over!

[@SLOROB55]

Love that sound.

[@sumacdude]

You are spectacular!!

[@enoch4499]

I got my feadog tin whistle and have found myself also leaning toward this 5 rule. Just sounds and feels right and leaves room for opportunities.

[@INDYOSKARS]

THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST INSTRUCTION VIDEO, IN MY OPINION, ABOUT THE PENNY-WHISTLE (or flute). FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD I WOULD SAY THAT THIS VIDEO HAS GOT A "SOUL". Those 9 dislikes must be SOUL-LESS & TONE-DEAF people. THANKS POPS !

[@maryloukeech8419]

Just learning thank you

[@langzeekoei]

I bought a penny whistle about 2 years ago and tried to learn on youtube but I have had a hectic time so I put it one side and never touched it again. I still love this music, it touches something deep in my soul. Please tell me where I can get a book with music like the one on the sheet in this video.

[@krissymacca]

The tune after forest of dreams end....cheers Erik!! 🍻👍

[@DemonicDuelist1]

u sir are my hero

[@spring768]

wonderful player thanks a lot

[@dietmarr.7755]

Where can i buy this wunderful sounding whistle ?