Congratulations on your purchase of an authentic “Barley Saints” Tinwhistle!
(it’s actually a Clarke whistle with a Barley Saints sticker over the logo - hopefully that's not illegal in any way)
Soon you’ll be playing Barley Saints music on your Barley Saints whistle, and, if you get good enough at a song or two, you might even get to play onstage at a Barley Saints show, with us, The Barley Saints!
Let’s get started…
Basic instructions from The Clarke Tinwhistle Company:
“The Clarke Tinwhistle, like other tinwhistles, has its own unique fingering. It should not be confused with the fingering of a recorder.
When covering a hole, the pads of the fingers should be used, not the tips. (The pad is the area about midway between the tip and first joint.) The fingers should be held flat. Do not arch or curve them. Do not allow air to escape from under the fingers as that will cause squeaks, poor pitch and tone.
The Tinwhistle has three ranges. The first range of the D Tinwhistle is from D to C above it. The second range beginning with the D above needs to be blown slightly harder. The top range beginning with D above that needs to be blown harder still. Practicing whilst listening will enable you to find the correct wind pressure to define the three ranges.”
Is that everything you ever wanted to know about tinwhistles? No? Still have questions? Need any tips? Well the pretty lady pictured here would be delighted to lend a hand via email!
