In this article you will find some practical advice about choosing and buying a tin whistle in 2024. The information presented here is meant to be objective and impartial, and I have no connection to any of the models or brands mentioned. The recommendations are my own based on the whistles I use myself and have played over the years.
This 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
Jim Donoghue (1910-90) was a Sligo tin whistle player, known for his style of playing the “Clarke Whistle” – he played in a strong, rhythmic style with a tone that approached that of the Irish flute. He obtained his unique tone by working or “humouring” the fipple of his Clarke tin whistle, and played many of his tunes in unique settings. Below is his version of the Battering Ram jig.
The British Library has an enormous online archive of recordings, with a large selection of Irish traditional music in the collection “Traditional Music in England”.
Among the Irish musicians is the excellent whistle player Jim Donoghue.
Tin Whistle Christmas Carols – Brightest and Best, sheet music. Tin Whistle tablatures and audio included in the book Tin Whistle for Children Volume 1.
Blind Mary by harpist Turlough O’Carolan, played on the tin whistle
Ann & Nicky McAuliffe playing a selection of jigs on tin whistle.
Peter Phelan, tin whistle, plays Tom McElvogue’s & Troy’s Wedding jigs
Caoimhe & Eimear Flannery – fiddle, tin whistle – recorded in Brosna, Co.Kerry in 2014
Ronan Browne (uilleann pipes) & Peadar O’Loughlin (fiddle) play 2 slip jigs : Taim in [...]
Kitty Hayes (born Smith) was an Irish concertina player from Fahanlunaghta, not far from Lahinch, [...]
Irish concertina : Jacki O’Connor and Aoife Neville play 3 slides
The group Cruinniu playing at the Cooley/Collins festival, with 3 tunes : the Boys of [...]
Caoinleach glas an fhómhair & Larkin’s beehives – Róisín Nic Dhonnacha, tin whistle
Senan Shortell and Naoise Kettle play “Paddy Fahy’s Jig” on concertina and fiddle
Anne and Nicky McAuliffe play a tin whistle duet.
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