The Irish Tin Whistle

The tin whistle is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. It is an end blown fipple flute, and is one of the simplest Irish instruments to play. It's simplicity means that it is often the instrument of choice for beginners, who later progress to instruments like the flute or uilleann pipes.

The tin whistle is often a cheaply produced instrument, with a copper or nickel tube body and plastic head. It is easily affordable and quite rugged. A entry-level whistles klige the Generation, Clarke or Feadog all cost less than 10 euros.

In recent years makers have started producing hand-made tin whistles. Tony Dixon in England produces a range of affordable hand-made instruments; Chieftain whistles are a quality factory-made model. Buy tin whistles here

Although the whistle is a relatively simple instrument, it is possible to produce virtuosic music on it. Pasddy Moloney of the Chieftains for example plays a simple, Generation, tin whistle; while Kevin Crawford of Lunasa plays a plastic susato.

This site is dedicated to the whistle & whistlers, with an introduction to the instrument and a selection of links. if you want to appear in our pages, send us a link