Tin Whistle Basics
This course is aimed at the absolute beginner whistle player. It begins with a series of six free lessons then progresses through to the eleven main subscription lessons. How to hold the instrument, proper hand / finger posture and good basic technique are all important fundaments that will be addressed in the early lessons. There will be a progressive study of scales, articulation and ornamentation with relevant exercises throughout. The 'Whistle Basics' course will equip the beginner whistler with the necessary rudiments to begin a journey down the long and adventurous road of Irish whistle playing. By the end of the course, the learner will have a repertoire of seventeen popular Irish tunes, the ability to play cuts, taps and rolls and a deeper understanding of the Irish music tradition.
Free Whistle Basics Leeson #1
This is an introductory lesson for the tin whistle. Hand and finger positioning will be demonstrated and explained..
Free Whistle Basics Leeson #2
In this lesson a very simple Irish Polka called 'The Rattlin' Bog' will be taught. This tune is designed to follow on..
Free Whistle Basics Leeson #3
Another simple Irish Polka called 'We Won't Go Home Until the Morning' will be taught in this lesson. Additional exercises..
Free Whistle Basics Leeson #4
The song air for a very popular Irish song will be taught in this class: 'I'll Tell My Ma'. The scale of G major will be introduced at the start of this lesson.
Free Whistle Basics Leeson #5
Another lively Polka will be taught in this lesson, called 'Britches Full of Stitches'. Kirsten will continue her study of the scale of G major.
Free Whistle Basics Leeson #6
In this lesson, a popular Mazurka from Donegal will be taught - 'Shoe the Donkey'. Kirsten will continue her study of the scale of G major.
The popular Slip Jig 'The Butterfly' will be taught in this lesson. Kirsten will introduce the ornament 'the slide' and will demonstrate how this can be used to soften notes.
Another Slip Jig called 'Na Ceannabhain Bhána' will be taught in this lesson. This tune is in the key of G major. The ornament 'the cut' will be introduced and applied to this Slip Jig.
Johnny O'Leary's Polka will be taught in this lesson. Kirsten will continue her study of slides and cuts in her teaching of this tune.
In this lesson 'Sonny's Mazurka' will be taught. Kirsten will continue her study of cuts and slides throughout the lesson. In the last part, she will play the tune in a set along with 'Shoe the Donkey', the mazurka taught in lesson 6.
John Blessington's Reel is the tune featured in this lesson. Kirsten focuses on the breath in this class - where to breath and what notes to miss out!
In this lesson, Kirsten teaches the well known reel 'Sally Gardens'. She will continue her study of breathing in reels and the cut throughout the course of the lesson.
The Ten Penny Bit' is the jig taught in this lesson. Kirsten will use the tune to demonstrate and teach the ornament the 'tap'.
In this lesson the reel 'O'Keefe's Dream' will be taught. Kirsten will continue her study of cuts and taps.
Another Jig will be taught in this lesson 'The Feakle Jig'. A new ornament will the introduced - the roll on the note of G.
In this lesson the reel 'The Connacht Heifer' will be taught. The study of rolls will be continued with an introduction to the roll on the note of F.
In this lesson the Hornpipe 'Harvest Home' will be taught. The study of rolls will continue with the introduction to the roll on the note of A.
- The Rattlin' Bog
- We wont go Home until the Morning
- I'll Tell my Ma
- Britches Full of Stitches
- The Butterfly
- Na Ceannabhain Bhána
- Johnny O'Leary's Polka
- Sonny's Mazurka
- John Blessington's
- Sally Gardens
- The Ten Penny Bit
- O'Keefe's Dream
- Feakle Jig
- The Connaught Heifer
- Harvest Home
Tutor Info
Kirsten Allstaff
Kirsten Allstaff is one of the founders and directors of The Online Academy of Irish Music. She is an acclaimed flute and tin- whistle player and has played music throughout Ireland, Europe, North America and Asia with various Irish dance shows and groups... [Read More]
