Display mode
A FIRST STEP. A FAMILIAR MELODY.

A little breath.
A world of music.

Learn to play the tin whistle, one small skill at a time. 15 practical lessons take you from your first sound to melody, ornamentation, and expression.

High D whistleBeginner to advancedGo at your own pace
0 of 15 lessons completeYour self-checks are saved in this browser.
Start learning
01

Find your sound

  1. LESSON 015 min practice

    Meet your whistle

    A comfortable hold, six sealed holes, and a relaxed place to start.

    Open lesson
  2. LESSON 026 min practice

    Find a clear tone

    Turn a gentle stream of air into a steady, ringing note.

    Open lesson
  3. LESSON 037 min practice

    Your first three notes

    Learn B, A, and G, then connect them with small finger movements.

    Open lesson
  4. LESSON 048 min practice

    Explore the D scale

    Bring in the lower hand and find the seven notes of D major.

    Open lesson
02

Make a melody

  1. LESSON 058 min practice

    Give the notes a pulse

    Keep a steady beat and separate repeated notes with your tongue.

    Open lesson
  2. LESSON 067 min practice

    Reach the upper octave

    Find a second register with focused air and familiar fingerings.

    Open lesson
  3. LESSON 0710 min practice

    Play your first tune

    Turn a few familiar notes into Mary Had a Little Lamb.

    Open lesson
03

Find your expression

  1. LESSON 0810 min practice

    Add a little ornament

    Meet cuts, taps, and a long roll without disturbing the melody.

    Open lesson
04

Finger ornaments

  1. LESSON 09 · Developing8 min practice

    Cuts: a crisp interruption

    Separate a note with a quick lift, keeping the air and the pulse steady.

    Open lesson
  2. LESSON 10 · Developing8 min practice

    Taps: a quick touch

    Touch the next open hole to articulate a note from below.

    Open lesson
  3. LESSON 11 · Developing8 min practice

    Slides: ease into a note

    Uncover a hole gradually to make a smooth approach to the melody.

    Open lesson
  4. LESSON 12 · Developing12 min practice

    Long & short rolls

    Combine a cut and a tap while preserving the main note’s rhythm.

    Open lesson
05

Rhythm & expression

  1. LESSON 13 · Developing9 min practice

    Finger vibrato

    Give a sustained note a subtle shimmer with a lower finger.

    Open lesson
  2. LESSON 14 · Developing10 min practice

    Triplet variations

    Fit three melody notes into the time normally occupied by two.

    Open lesson
  3. LESSON 15 · Advanced12 min practice

    Crans on low D

    Use a sequence of cuts to articulate the whistle’s lowest note.

    Open lesson