The Whistle Workshop

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Hello and welcome to The Whistle Workshop.

I have put this workshop together partly for my own development, (looking for that elusive lilt!) and to pass on a few tips.
My way of playing is not traditional (traditional playing is hard to define but is very apparent when heard.) As I was born and bred in England I obviously haven't had an Irish musical upbringing. Most whistle music today is from that tradition and so that's what I usually play, in my own way and from an English point of view...pub sessions.

For traditional styles of playing and more in depth analysis on jigs, reels etc visit Brother Steve's site. Some more whistle tutorials that are becoming very popular are the video sites. One notable tutorial is Ryan Duns.

Firstly a poem named 'The Penny Whistle' by Terry Browne which has been written for a couple on their wedding day.

Please sign the Guestbook. Thanks.

All the tunes and musical gifs on this site are downloadable and free for personal use. Please ask permission if they are needed for any other purposes. Also there are bound to be mistakes, if any are spotted I would appreciate being told.

Recording

This is an invaluable tool as you can check your own progress and what might sound okay when you play can sound not so okay when you playback because the recording progress doesn't lie, although recorded sound can be enhanced with echo etc. Any rhythmic or fingering mistakes are highlighted and so you can work on that particular area.
"Six Ways to Break Out of Being a Beginning Whistle Player" an article by L.E.McCullough

Breathing

Unlike violin, guitar, etc. the whistle needs air, so wind players must breathe within a tune and it is essential that the breath control becomes efficient and relaxed while playing. Some basic tips are to breathe from the abdomen and as you play keep a clear wind way from your stomach up through the throat and out into the whistle. There are various exercises for breath control such as yoga breathing. I would say just practice deep breathing making sure the entire capacity of the lungs are used. As well as helping the tone and control of the whistle there are also health benefits!.
Whilst playing try not to use up all the available breath, choose where you want to breathe in a tune and head for that spot. As in speech the breath becomes a punctuation mark so can be very effective in giving a tune a little extra lilt. In most of the tunes in the workshop there are suggested breath marks they might not suit everyone but they give the general idea.

How to Start and Run an Irish Slow Session by Chris Smith...an interesting viewpoint here

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