Dawning of the Day
Kerry Polka (also known as the FABA Polka for the first four notes -- Brad, does this make me a $#%@? for knowing the name?)
Rakes of Mallow (there's another one!)
King of the Fairies
Connaughtman's Rambles
Those were the first five I learned as a fiddler -- a whistle or flute player might learn another set, though!
Greetings Keith and welcome to the session,
The tin whistle rocks. You have chosen wisely. Go out right now -- yes this very instant -- and buy any or all of Laurence Nugent's CDs (but perhaps his first one if you have to choose), Vinnie Kilduff's CD called "Boys of Blue Hill", and Mary Bergin's CD "Feadog Stain." No, these aren't sources of basic tunes, although a good number can be found therein, but rather inexhaustable sources of inspiration for whistle players. Report back when you have completed this assignment.
Over and out,
Brendan
Hey thanks a lot. I never expected such quick replies, I guess I'm at the right site. I found Connaughtman's Rambles and Rakes of Mallow at this site so I will give them a go. I would have to order the cd's off the internet most likely, but right now just having the whistle in my hands is inspiration enough. It'd be nice to hear some experts at work though. Thanks again
If you're a whistle player, check the site called "Brother Steve's Tin Whistle Pages". You'll find it in the "links" section of thesession, under "instruments".
Oh, I forgot to mention that Vinnie Kilduff put out a very helpful video on learning to play the whistle. It is not really long, nor too in depth, but I think it is pretty good. I'd been playing for many years when I first saw it, and learned new and interesting stuff "nobody ever explained to me." The following is one of many links out there that mentions it:
I learned my first song today, Star Of The County Down, at Brother Steve's site. I also learned I can play a C note on my whistle, go figure (hehe). Basic stuff but as you all know, I'm just beginning. Thanks for all the help
Glad to know you're learning songs, Keith. I've played whistle before but recently i've been concentrating on the flute. This morning i picked up my C Clarke (by the way, that's one way you can get a C note in a whistle! ) and started messing around with "The Maid Behind The Bar" and it was like renewing my acquaintance with an old friend. A whistle is a great thing. Costs less than US$10 and you can take it anywhere.
I don't know about beginner tunes, but one great recording to listen to is the cornily-titled 'Totally Traditional Tin Whistles', on the Ossian label. It's a compilation of some of the best whistle players, including Willie Clancy, Micho Russell, Josie MacDermott, Fintan Vallely.
It's got some lovely tunes on it (some of which I have posted here) and features more different styles of whistle playing than you'd encounter anywhere else. It would probably confuse the hell out of any beginner, in fact. Just when you're trying to get your rolls right, you discover that some of the best players don't even bother with them, and use lots of tongueing, just like the books tell you not to!
Beginner tunes for Keith
Beginner tunes for Keith
Dawning of the Day
Kerry Polka (also known as the FABA Polka for the first four notes -- Brad, does this make me a $#%@? for knowing the name?)
Rakes of Mallow (there's another one!)
King of the Fairies
Connaughtman's Rambles
Those were the first five I learned as a fiddler -- a whistle or flute player might learn another set, though!
Zina
# Posted on September 5th 2001 by Zina Lee
Re: Beginner tunes for Keith
Greetings Keith and welcome to the session,
The tin whistle rocks. You have chosen wisely. Go out right now -- yes this very instant -- and buy any or all of Laurence Nugent's CDs (but perhaps his first one if you have to choose), Vinnie Kilduff's CD called "Boys of Blue Hill", and Mary Bergin's CD "Feadog Stain." No, these aren't sources of basic tunes, although a good number can be found therein, but rather inexhaustable sources of inspiration for whistle players. Report back when you have completed this assignment.
Over and out,
Brendan
# Posted on September 5th 2001 by Brendan
Re: Beginner tunes for Keith
Hey thanks a lot. I never expected such quick replies, I guess I'm at the right site. I found Connaughtman's Rambles and Rakes of Mallow at this site so I will give them a go. I would have to order the cd's off the internet most likely, but right now just having the whistle in my hands is inspiration enough. It'd be nice to hear some experts at work though. Thanks again
# Posted on September 5th 2001 by keithcorbett
Re: Beginner tunes for Keith
Hey Keith, welcome!
If you're a whistle player, check the site called "Brother Steve's Tin Whistle Pages". You'll find it in the "links" section of thesession, under "instruments".
# Posted on September 5th 2001 by glauber
Re: Beginner tunes for Keith
And Keith, take a look at http://www.scoiltrad.com. Conal O'Grada is one of the greats, and you could take a lesson or two with him online!
Zina
# Posted on September 5th 2001 by Zina Lee
Another item for Keith's shopping cart...
Oh, I forgot to mention that Vinnie Kilduff put out a very helpful video on learning to play the whistle. It is not really long, nor too in depth, but I think it is pretty good. I'd been playing for many years when I first saw it, and learned new and interesting stuff "nobody ever explained to me." The following is one of many links out there that mentions it:
http://www.thewhistleshop.com/catalog/tutorials/videos/whistle/vinnie.htm
Cheers and good luck,
Brendan
# Posted on September 5th 2001 by Brendan
Re: Beginner tunes for Keith
I learned my first song today, Star Of The County Down, at Brother Steve's site. I also learned I can play a C note on my whistle, go figure (hehe). Basic stuff but as you all know, I'm just beginning. Thanks for all the help
# Posted on September 5th 2001 by keithcorbett
Re: Beginner tunes for Keith
Good song to start with - almost everybody knows it (could this be the Stairway to Heaven of Irish songs?)
Welcome & keep at it, Keith!
# Posted on September 6th 2001 by JeffK627
Good for you
Glad to know you're learning songs, Keith. I've played whistle before but recently i've been concentrating on the flute. This morning i picked up my C Clarke (by the way, that's one way you can get a C note in a whistle!
) and started messing around with "The Maid Behind The Bar" and it was like renewing my acquaintance with an old friend. A whistle is a great thing. Costs less than US$10 and you can take it anywhere.
# Posted on September 6th 2001 by glauber
Worth a listen
I don't know about beginner tunes, but one great recording to listen to is the cornily-titled 'Totally Traditional Tin Whistles', on the Ossian label. It's a compilation of some of the best whistle players, including Willie Clancy, Micho Russell, Josie MacDermott, Fintan Vallely.
It's got some lovely tunes on it (some of which I have posted here) and features more different styles of whistle playing than you'd encounter anywhere else. It would probably confuse the hell out of any beginner, in fact. Just when you're trying to get your rolls right, you discover that some of the best players don't even bother with them, and use lots of tongueing, just like the books tell you not to!
# Posted on September 8th 2001 by CreadurMawnOrganig