Expert Irish Tin Whistle Lessons/ Tutorials from Online Academy of Irish Music with Thomas Johnston

[AngelShadowsong]

What brand of Tin Whistles does most Tin Whistlers prefer?

[JohnnyBoxer92]

What key tin whistle are you playing?

[irishmusicacademy]

@JohnnyBoxer92 Thomas is playing a D whistle.

[olajack]

it's fantastic...

[Susq15]

I can't get that "bounce" on the second phrase, coming down from G to E. Do you have to tongue that?

[PipersGrip]

@Susq15 Just keep on working at it! It is a tricky one. I usually bounce the R1 and R2 fingers very quickly to where it sounds a bit like a crann. Tonguing can help give it more definition. Just keep on doing it over and over, from g to e to d fast, and maybe that would help.

[SCLCSPORT]

Is that a real song at the beginning for the into? if so could someone identify it for me?

[irishmusicacademy]

@SCLCSPORT It's a tune called 'The Ashplant'. As a point of interest, it's Thomas playing the tune. We love it!

[Bowserking1]

@irishmusicacademy What instrument is used in that tune? It's awesome!

[irishmusicacademy]

@Bowserking1 Low whistle.

[kingsize1313]

@irishmusicacademy What key low whistle is in the beginning? Do you have somewhere the whole tune? I love it...

[keman25]

@irishmusicacademy Where can I listen to the full version of the song in the intro? It's great!

[irishmusicacademy]

@keman25 type into the YouTube "learn irish music online" it should be the seventh video down. The thumbnail is the symbol for OAIM and it's called LEARN IRISH MUSIC ONLINE - Lessons etc

[keman25]

@irishmusicacademy Ow, greaaat! Thanks a lot! :D Great lessons, by the way!

[psyclonought22]

thankyou so much for this

[tomtrad]

@psyclonought22 You are very welcome! :)

[hiair]

2 Questions: What brand of Tin Whistle is that? and what is the difference between a simple tin whistle and an Irish Tin Whistle? thanks.

[irishmusicacademy]

@hiair The whistle is a John Sindt, and there is no geographical difference between any kind of whistle. A whistle is a whistle :)

[tomtrad]

@hiair Hi there.. Thomas here... they're actually all the same, but some whistles just sound different than others, depending on what materials they are made from, what key they are pitched in etc.. Hope this helps... :)

[rayloco57]

I play left handed as well, have a left handed flute and a left handed set of uilleann pipes

[zuperduperboi]

Is there a correct way to hold your tin whistle? What would be the best way to learn if you sought to migrate to other other similar instruments such as the irish flute and the pipes?

[irishmusicacademy]

@zuperduperboi. Notice how Thomas uses straight fingers on the whistle. Also notice how his actual finger tips are not sealing the holes, but rather his lower pads. The straight fingers allow for nimble moves of the fingers in a relaxed manner. If you were migrating to the pipes, the chanter would be held in the exact same way. Many flute players also hold their flutes with a 'pipers grip' (straight left and right hand), however, it is recommended to bend left hand to facilitate key work.

[zuperduperboi]

@irishmusicacademy Thanks for a helpful and fast reply! I was particularly interested in wether it makes a difference which hand is placed where. While Thomas grips the whistle with his right hand above his left, I've seen many players do the opposite. Is there any right way? Cheers.

[tomtrad]

@zuperduperboi Hey there - Thomas here... I'm actually left-handed so when first started to play the whistle I found that it felt most natural for me to place my right hand above my left. Actually, I can't ever remember it being a decision that I consciously made, and my whistle teacher at the time didn't ever say that I should do it any other way - for me, it's what feels most comfortable

[aranmexican]

I reckon this is a Josie McDermott composition

[PoolDal8]

so fanatastic i just started working with my whistle i am no where near that stage.....

[fmj2379]

@PoolDal8 Same here!!!



[erikitavideo]

@tom can youwrite down those notes forbeginners like me? I'm practicing a bit around, but will definately takr your lessons. All teachers of the academy seem very professional to me. The courses seem to be in the perfect mixture of technical and fun! Thanks!

[epicthreedaysgrace]

Hey im from Co.Monaghan too

[irishmusicacademy]

@epicthreedaysgrace :)

[tomtrad]

@epicthreedaysgrace Come on Monaghan!!! :)

[tomtrad]

@epicthreedaysgrace :)

[lilo621]

Irish music always makes me smile :)

[tomtrad]

@lilo621 Now that's what we want to hear! :)

[tomtrad]

@lilo621 me too me too :)

[chuckcruise1]

what's your advice for buying one of these? is there a certain brand that is better, or what price range generally constitutes a good whistle?

[FlutistProductions]

@chuckcruise1 Well I have a couple of different choices for ya, if yer lookin for a key of D tin whistle I would say that my favourite is a Susato D whistle, main reason why so it's because of it's crisp and distinct sound, very suitable for sessions but also for playing together all-in all. Then another good whistle is Cheiftains, also with a very crisp and clear sound. I hope this helps a little! I am pleased to help you! Good luck! /FP

[Darkmonk5555]

@chuckcruise1 The walton's little black whistle is light aluminium, sounds very crisp and costs under 4 bucks

[tomtrad]

@chuckcruise1 It really depends chuckcruise - there are some really affordable whistles out there but sometimes it a matter of testing out a few before you find the one that's right for you... you should check out chiffandfipple where there are really good discussions on all things whistle, or ask around on the forums on oaim - thanks ;)

[tomtrad]

Hi there Neilmak - I suppose my hands are back-to-front! :) I'm left handed so I have always played this way

[irishmusicacademy]

The Ashplant Reel it is. Thanks FlutistP.

[irishmusicacademy]

Glad you found it helpful, not sure about the name of that tune though, sorry :)

[FlutistProductions]

@irishmusicacademy That tune is called the Ashplant reel If I am not mistaken! :)

[biftedes]

Very good and helpful tutorial...

What is the tune in the intro???

[neilmak]

Hang on Thomas - you've got your hands back-to-front (the left hand is usually on top). Are you left-handed?

[kristoffsel]

thanks a lot - impressive!

[irishmusicacademy]

We can't wait! Should be a craic alright :D

[tomtrad]

you're very welcome... everyone ready for the big live launch??? :0)

[mojoj87]

thank you so much :)

[tomtrad]

It's the key of D... the low whistle in the intro is an F whistle though :0)

[irishmusicacademy]

It's in the key of D, the most common key.



[tatalali]

in which tone is your whistle?, i want to buy one, but i dont know te key...

thanks

[tomtrad]

Hey guys,

Thanks very much... appreciate the comments!! :) Absolutely Robert haha... have you been playing long yourself? I'm playing a whistle by John Sindt... love his whistles..

[robertdeuce]

so your saying the tin whistle i have is capable of doing this. wow

[Orphan83]

What Kind of Flute do you have? Please Let Me know, Nice playing