Tin Whistle Course

Course Content

Week 1 

Introduction to the tin whistle, its notes, possibilities, limits, etc. and to familiarise the learners with the basics of playing the instrument, (basic scale and some practice tips).

Depending on their picking up of this we will likely already begin learning our first tune together, “Fainne Geal an Lae” (a beginner-friendly march that is mostly all in the low octave on the whistle).

Question and answer time and then review and wrap-up.

Week 2 

Review and “check-in” of their progress and overall growing confidence.

Use the opportunity to iron out any basic errors in breathing and covering the holes etc..

I will then introduce playing notes in the upper octave and practise “jumping the octave scale practice”.

To reinforce this in their playing I will introduce them playing the “Kerry Polka” which is a perfect tune for alternating between the octaves on the whistle and getting used to the breath pressure needed for playing back and forth between the different notes cleanly.

Question and answer time and then review and wrap-up.

Week 3 

Review and “check-in” of their progress and overall growing confidence.

Give time for questions and answers.

I will talk to them then more deeply now about what Irish tunes are, (what makes a jig a jig, a hornpipe a hornpipe, and a reel a reel, for example). I will pay them examples of each and talk about how the whistle can be used to not only play these tunes but how it fits in with other instruments when playing in a pub session.

I will then introduce them to playing our first jig together, ¨Out on the Ocean”.

Question and answer time and then review and wrap-up.

Week 4 

Review and “check-in” of their progress and overall growing confidence.

Review the three tunes above they have already been introduced to together, reinforce how far they have already come, and iron out any lingering issues executing the basics.

I will then introduce them to playing our first hornpipe together, “The Boys of Blue Hill”.

Question and answer time and then review and wrap-up.

Week 5 

Review and “check-in” of their progress and overall growing confidence.

Introduce them to the basics of ornamentation when playing the whistle (cuts, taps, rolls etc.)

Show them how they can practise these ornaments during their scale warm-ups from now on in the future.

Show them how these ornaments can be incorporated into the tunes they have already learned by playing them for them without ornamentation, and then with ornamentation.

Take time then to encourage them to try incorporating some of these ornaments to these tunes they have already learned by practising them together with ornaments.

I will then introduce them to playing our first reel together, “The Coal Miner’s”, (a reel that is beginner-friendly but also allows them to immediately incorporate ornaments).

Question and answer time and then review and wrap-up.

Week 6 

Review and “check-in” of their progress and overall growing confidence.

Quickly reinforce, and play along with them, the Irish tunes they have learned already, a march, a polka, a jig, a hornpipe, and a reel!

Instill in them the confidence that they can have a lifetime ahead of enjoying playing the tin whistle and Irish music.