Paddy’s Gone to France, a reel to learn on low whistle with sheet music and low whistle tabs
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Paddy’s Gone to France, a reel to learn on low whistle with sheet music and low whistle tabs
Patsy Hanly is an Irish flute player from Kilrooskey, County Roscommon. He is an influential player in the Roscommon / North Connaught style of flute playing.
The low whistle, a relatively modern addition to the Irish music tradition, emerged in the late 20th century. Unlike the tin whistle, which in its present form has a history dating back to the 19th century, the low whistle is a more recent innovation. It was popularized in the 1970s by Finbar Furey and later Davy Spillane.
The instrument itself was developed to extend the range and depth of the traditional tin whistle. While the exact origins are somewhat nebulous, the crafting and popularization of the modern low whistle are often attributed to Bernard Overton in the 1970s. Overton, working with Finbar Furey, created an instrument capable of a deeper, more resonant sound, effectively expanding the expressive capabilities of the traditional whistle in Irish music.
The low whistle is characterized by its deep, soft tone, which differs significantly from the higher-pitched, brighter sound of the traditional tin whistle. This tonal quality allows for a more emotive and contemplative style of play, often used in slower tunes.
The primary differences between the low whistle and the traditional tin whistle lie in their size, pitch range, and tonal qualities.
Size and Pitch Range: The low whistle is larger than the traditional tin whistle. It is designed to play in lower registers, typically an octave below the standard tin whistle. This size difference affects the fingering technique and breath control required.
Tonal Qualities: The low whistle produces a deeper, more resonant sound. This is in contrast to the tin whistle, which is known for its bright, clear tone. The low whistle’s sound is often described as warm or haunting.
Musical Context: While both instruments are used in a variety of musical contexts within Irish music, the low whistle’s deeper tone makes it particularly suited for slower, more expressive pieces. The tin whistle, with its higher pitch, is often favored in faster, more lively tunes.
Playing Technique: The technique for playing the low whistle can be more challenging due to its larger size and the need for greater breath control. Players often adapt their style to suit the instrument’s unique qualities.
The low whistle shares a basic design with the traditional tin whistle:
Low whistles are made from a variety of materials, each affecting the instrument’s tone and playability. The quality of the instrument is more dependent on the maker’s process and the instrument’s design, than on the material itself:
Low whistles are available in various keys, each offering a different range and character:
Related resource
A comprehensive introduction & resource guide for the tin Whistle, witrh audio & video examples and links to further resources.
Learn moreHolding the Low Whistle: Grip the low whistle lightly but securely. The left hand is typically placed at the top (near the mouthpiece) and the right hand at the bottom. Ensure that your fingers are comfortably covering the holes.
Finger Positioning: Use the pads of your fingers, not the tips, to cover the holes. This creates a better seal and more control over the notes. Due to the larger size and wider spacing of the holes on a low whistle, it might require stretching your fingers more than on a tin whistle – using what is called a “pipers’ grip”, see the image examples below:
Posture: Maintain a relaxed, upright posture. Avoid hunching over the instrument as it can restrict breathing. The whistle should be at a slight angle away from your body.
Breath Control: The low whistle requires less air than one might expect, given its size. However, controlling the flow of air is crucial for maintaining a steady tone. Start with gentle breaths and gradually increase the air pressure to find the sweet spot for each note.
Tone Production: The quality of tone on a low whistle is sensitive to how you blow into it. Experiment with the angle and strength of your breath. Soft, warm tones are often produced with slower, warmer air, while brighter, louder tones require a more forceful breath.
Dynamics: Practice varying your breath pressure to create dynamics in your playing. This can add expressiveness and emotion to the music. The degree of dynamics obtainable will depend on the individual instrument model’s characteristics.
For more detail about ornamentation, see the page Ornamentation in irish Traditional Music
Regular practice, listening to accomplished players, and perhaps guidance from experienced teachers are key to mastering the low whistle.
Related resource
An essential guide the the principal ornaments – cuts, taps, rolls, crans, slides – and their use in irish Music
Learn moreWhen selecting your first low whistle, several factors should be considered to ensure you find an instrument that suits your needs and preferences.
The table below outlines the price you can expect to pay for a low whistle.
Price Range | Quality Description | Materials | Notable Brands/Makers |
---|---|---|---|
Entry-Level (Around €100) | Often made of cheaper materials but still playable | Various cheaper materials | Tony Dixon |
Mid-Range (€100 – €300) | Better craftsmanship and materials | Better quality materials | Chieftain, Howard |
High-End (€300 and above) | Professional-grade, exceptional quality in tone and craftsmanship | High-quality materials | Colin Goldie |
Related resource
A presentation of the main instruments of Irish traditional music, with video examples.
Learn moreRelated resource
A complete guide to all the principal types of tunes in Irish music – jigs, reels, hornpipes and more
Learn moreThis Spotify playlist offers a selection of tin whistle music, encompassing both traditional and modern styles. It includes notable works such as Mary Bergin’s “Feadoga Stain 1&2” and Donncha O’Briain’s “Ceol ar an bhFeadog Stain,” alongside contemporary pieces from groups like Deiseal. This playlist provides a broad perspective on the different styles and artists associated with the tin whistle, so there should be something to suit both enthusiasts and those new to the genre.
Artists:
Mary Bergin, Donncha O’Briain, Sean Ryan, Cormac Breatnach, Micho Russell, Seamus Ennis, Willie Clancy, Paddy Keenan, Vinnie Kilduff & more
In this article you will find a guide to the principal instruments used in Irish Traditional Music, such as tin whistle, low whistle or uilleann pipes. The instruments of Irish traditional music are in general acoustic and generally used for playing single-line melody. Fiddles, harps, uilleann pipes, whistles, and flutes have been in the tradition the longest. Free reed instruments such as accordions and concertinas are a more recent addition, as well as banjos, bouzoukis and other string instruments. The bodhran as a frame drum is an ancient instrument, but the style of playing is contemporary.
Instrument | Description |
---|---|
Fiddle | Essentially a violin, played in a distinctively Irish style. Known for expressive and rapid playing, it’s a staple in Irish music. |
Uilleann Pipes | A complex, quieter form of bagpipe played with a bellows under the arm, known for their sweet, expressive tone and wide note range. |
Tin Whistle | A simple, inexpensive wind instrument, also known as the penny whistle, widely used in Irish folk music for its clear, piercing sound. |
Flute | The wooden flute, used in Irish music, has a warm and mellow sound. It’s similar to the classical flute but typically has fewer keys. |
Bodhrán | A type of frame drum played with a beater, central to the rhythm in Irish music, known for its intricate playing technique. |
Concertina | A small, hexagonal accordion, particularly associated with County Clare. Played by compressing and expanding the bellows, with buttons to control pitch. |
Button Accordion | Popular in Irish music, this accordion comes in several varieties like B/C and C#/D systems, differing in key layouts from the piano accordion. |
Harp | The Irish harp, a national symbol with deep cultural significance, offers a gentle, lyrical sound and has been played for over a thousand years. |
Banjo | The four-string tenor banjo, adapted from its American cousin, is tuned to suit Irish music and used for melody playing. |
Mandolin and Bouzouki | Originally from Italy and Greece, these instruments have been adopted and modified for a unique Irish sound in Irish music. |
Alhough Thanksgiving isn’t a traditional feast day in ireland, Irish all over America celebrate thanksgiving every year. 6 Irish tunes you can play at Thanksgiving, for tin whistle, with audio recordings, sheet music & whistle tabs (fingering charts). Scroll to the bottom of the page to download the free pdf sheet music booklet.
It is a New England Autumn in 1621. The beautiful gold and crimson leaves contribute to the festive atmosphere that blankets Plimoth village. The smell of roasting Turkeys adds to the ambience. The little village’s fifty English settlers are preparing a harvest festival in celebration of having survived the previous year’s great hardships and brought in their first crops in the New World.
Historically, the Irish have looked to America as a beacon of hope, a refuge from the troubles back home. During the mid-19th century, the Great Hunger—better known as the Irish Potato Famine—drove more than a million Irish to seek new horizons. The emigrants brought not only their hopes and dreams but also their cultural traditions. They gradually integrated into American society, an integration symbolically represented in their participation in Thanksgiving, a ritual meal that marked their transformation from foreigners to American citizens. As the Irish climbed the social ladder, their involvement in American rituals like Thanksgiving played a crucial role in this transition.
Irish immigrants and their descendants have made significant contributions to various aspects of American life, including politics, industry, organized labor, religion, literature, music, and art. These contributions reflect the rich cultural heritage they brought with them and how they influenced the society they adopted. Remembering and sharing the history of the Irish in America is essential, particularly during Thanksgiving, as it reinforces the values of endurance, community, and gratitude. The holiday table serves as a meeting place for the past and the present, a place where stories of old are passed down and new memories are made.
In Irish traditional music, a tune refers to a self-contained melody with distinct rhythmic and structural characteristics. These reels, jigs, hornpipes and other tunes are the backbone of the tradition and serve as a framework for musicians to create, interpret, and share their music. Tunes are generally simple in structure with a “question-response” format, introducing a melodic question, answering it, reiterating, and concluding. Listen to the playlist below for some examples of the most common tune types.
TG4 is set to air the much-anticipated television series “Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy” starting 26th November at 9.30 pm. This new series, filmed in the picturesque town of Miltown Malbay in July 2023, promises to be a feast for fans of Irish traditional music.