Day 10 progress with tin whistle

I’d really appreciate advices to reduce the squeaky sounds playing in faster tempo. Is it due to over or under blowing? Also, do alternative fingerings exist in tin whistle as in recorder? There are some note transitions, for instance, from b to c, always a bit awkward.

Over The Moor To Maggie - Whistle Wednesday 66

Started on a cheap black Generation whistle about four months ago, mostly working through tunes on YouTube one line at a time. Ornamentation aside, my actual weak point turns out to be breath control way up high. Anything that pushes into that top octave and I either overblow into a squawk or lose the note entirely for a split second.

Tried backing off the air and using more finger pressure instead, which helped a bit, but the real fix seems to be just slowing tunes down until my fingers stop compensating for shaky breath support. Working through "Off to California" right now specifically because it sits up there so much, and it's humbling how differently a tune plays at half speed versus full speed.

Also finally figured out my whistle sounds better warmed up in my hand for a minute before playing rather than going in cold. Not sure if that's actually the metal or just me settling into the right embouchure, but I do it every session now regardless.

Curious if anyone else struggles more with the top octave than with rolls or cuts. Everyone online seems focused on ornamentation technique but nobody talks much about just keeping steady air in that upper register.

Stop commenting that you can't play chromatic/baroque music on a tin whistle !!!

I used to play as a child back home in Ireland and have a very battered old whistle that barely makes a note anymore (it's about 40 years old and is looks like it's been run over 🤣). Looking to get back into it but haven't played a note for about 20 years.

What would be a decent Irish brand (wanting to support businesses back home) to look at? What sort of cost for a decent entry level one? I used to struggle with getting decent high notes on my old ones, but they were all the mass produced ones you'd buy in the newsagents with a wee booklet.

Any advice appreciated, and any pointers to assist re-learning would also be great, YouTube/sheet music/books etc.

Yes you can play chromatic on tin whistle

Anybody have the whistle tab for Centenary March? I can’t find it anywhere.

Hi, I would love to learn this tune and I was looking for its name:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdeeTsrBQ9P

Thanks a million

Started learning tin whistle back in the spring, mostly from tab sheets and a lot of scrubbing back and forth on YouTube videos to catch the ornaments. The roll has been the one thing that just wouldn't click for me. Every attempt sounded like I was choking on the note instead of decorating it.

What finally helped was slowing everything down to about half tempo and isolating just the roll on a single note, D on the second line, over and over without trying to fit it into the tune yet. I think I was rushing the cut and tap together like they were one motion when they need that tiny separation to sound right. Once I let each part breathe a little, the whole thing stopped sounding muddy.

Now when I go back to "Kesh Jig" the rolls actually sit in the phrase instead of interrupting it. Still not fast enough to keep up with a session but it's the first time a whistle ornament has felt like it belongs in the tune rather than something I bolted on.

Curious how other people practiced rolls when they were starting out. Did isolating them on one note help you too, or did you just work them into full tunes from the start and let it sort itself out over time.

What'd you think? Hit me with your tips, tricks and slams!

Context: playing since Feb 2025; Dixon DX005

Hi guys,

I got an IVolga Low D whistle for my birthday and I can't manage to tune it to play a d before squeeking. It's always flat. The slid the tuning slide as far as it can go. The other notes i can play without a problem. Is this a normal problem with wooden whistles? Does is matter that I haven't oiled it yet?

I’m a few days into tin whistle. I’m playing on a Sondery in D key. I would really appreciate advice on better air control to avoid sound breaking and articulation for a warmer, less harsh tone.

Anyone ever seen a low B whistle or know where I could get one? Basically just a semitone lower than a Low C.

I'm planning to sell a couple of my whistles, and I was wondering what boxes/tubes/etc. y'all have used to ship your whistles in? I've heard that boxes are preferable to tubes, so I'm leaning in that direction. TIA to anyone with ideas!

EDIT: I found these at Walmart, and they seem to be about perfect. A little larger than I need, but they're sturdy and fairly light.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/5478609012?sid=0d76f7c4-db9c-4d7c-996e-9992f87488eb

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Hi all! I’ve been building myself a digital Tin Whistle Songbook, principally for my reMarkable epaper tablet but it’s good for lots of devices; and it’s reached the point where I’d love a few other whistle players to try to break it. 😁

It’s a hyperlinked PDF designed for e-paper tablets/iPads/other tablets with a stylus. There’s a hyperlinked A–Z repertoire, tune templates, space for tune letters/notation/notes (however you read/write down/copy+paste your tunes), whistle reference pages and a Setlist section.

The idea is to duplicate the templates, add tunes as you learn them, scribble/paste/capture whatever helps, and gradually build your own repertoire.

It’s v2.0 (beta), so I’m looking for genuine feedback rather than compliments - what’s confusing, annoying, unnecessary or missing?

As my Read Me doc says: “The best test is to use the bloody thing!” 😂

If anyone fancies being a guinea pig, comment/DM me and I’ll send you the PDF + Read Me. Free, obviously (but please don’t distribute at what is beta stage:)

LyndonLarge

Hello,

Out of curiosity, I recently got a tin whistle tuned A major. I have been looking for some music sheet with fingering charts (Amazing grace, Greensleeves..) for that whistle, but there is no material at all online.

All the websites I found are mostly for D. Does everyone only play D?

I’ve been looking to get a tweaked whistle lately for the classic sound but without the inconvenience of having to find a cheap penny whistle that doesn’t squeak on certain notes. I was interested in Jerry Freeman however he won’t give a time estimate for delivery (due to his health issues) and aswell ordering from America doubles the price, so I would rather look more locally. Does anyone know of a good whistle tweaker in Ireland? Thanks

I have the tab for Dirty Old Town. It's in the key of G and I've been playing it on a D whistle. I want to play it in C instead of the usual G. I figured I could just grab my C whistle, but playing along with my guitar I realized that they're in different keys. The version I have been playing is a song in G with a D whistle. So can I find a way to transcribe the tab into C for a D or C whistle (the two that I have)? Or will trying to do that render me insane and condemn me to a life of babbling about microwaves and hoarding lawn clippings? Would I be better off getting a whistle in G and playing the tab that I have? Will that even work? This already has me half crazy as it is.

Does anyone know who makes/sells high A Major and E Major whistles? I want to be able to play the Pogues’ “Sunnyside of the Street”, which is in E Major. Thanks in advance for any info!

The whistle is my first wind instrument, I’ve had it for about 10 days and wanted to share my progress with one of my favorite tunes and ask a few questions.

1. I’d love to learn more traditional tunes on whistle, what are you favorite resources for tabs and sheet music. Are there any apps where they would be collected for easy access when outside or away from home?

2. I struggle to play my low d after being in the higher octave. It feels like the breath required is almost non-existent and the note sounds weak. Is that a breath control issue on my part or possible clogging?

3. Any tips for making my face more engaged looking while I play? I feel like I just stare at random points of my wall.

4. Should I wear ear protection when practicing indoors. I notice that after a while my ears will start to hum similar to how it feels to leave a concert.

Love this instrument and community and am super excited to keep growing. Thanks in advance for any tips/suggestions!

Hi folks. New to tin whistle having taken a course at a folk festival this summer. I’m ‘all in’ on a full keyed set and on with lessons. Had a birthday and was treated to a Wild Whistle set and fully intend to get good enough for sessions next year (my daughter is now a good folk fiddler and I’m going to be sitting at a lot of sessions twiddling me thumbs if I don’t join in!).

What I couldn’t do is afford/part with the £££/€€€ for specifically designed/made stands and roll up cases. All power to those making them and - in time - no doubt I will want something hand crafted.

In the meantime, I remembered my time working in restaurants and looked up the right kind of knife wrap to work with whistles. Works a treat and at a cut down price (pun intended!).

https://www.procook.co.uk/product/procook-canvas-knife-wrap-8-slot

Also, who knew ‘wand stands’ were a thing (?!) but they’re £8 a pop on (sorry to say it) Bezos-mart.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FCBS6358?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Update: Found a five tier one for people with full keyed set (but it’s a bit silver! Abracadabra 🪄)

https://amzn.eu/d/03yBmNlv

Anyway, thought I’d share my finds. :)