Learn to Play the Tin Whistle No Experience Necessary!

Aileen Kennedy

Essential Ingredients

´ Fun ´ Social ´ Simple

´  D A

´ Where two notes have a line underneath, they are slightly faster.

´ (The line makes quavers of the notes)

´  D –

´ Where a note has a line after it, it increases the value of the note ie it makes the note longer.

´ (It will turn a crotchet into a minim)

Understanding the “code”

Understanding the “code” contd.

´  V

´  D

´  Where there is a small “v” over a note it makes the note shorter.

´  (This turns a crotchet into a quaver)

´  D’

´  Where there is an apostrophe after the note it is a high note ie high D. To turn a note into a high note you just blow harder.

´  # indicates that it is a sharp note (not hashtag!)

´  F# is called F sharp

Layout of the books

´  Each book begins with a reminder of what notes are needed to play the tunes in that particular book.

´  A reminder is given to place your left hand on top and your right hand on the bottom.

Infants playing whistle

´  When teaching Infants whistle use lower case letters. These are recognisable to them even if they call them by their sound and not their letter name.

´  Use smaller whistles for Infants as their fingers will not cover the holes on a standard “D” whistle. We use “F” whistles.

´  Establish clear class rules for playing whistle in school.

Aim of the programme

If you are to do just one thing with the programme, teach the pupils to love

music. They’ll do the rest themselves!