One of the most mystical instruments that made a mark on many cultures of the world is the flute. Take Krishna and his legendary flute, or the meditative Iranian and Turkish ‘Ney’ that inspired the Sufi Rumi to reflect its spiritual message in the opening lines of his historical ‘Masnawi’ or the instrument of the shepherds of Slavic Europe, expressing their innermost realm through it.
It is portable but often difficult to play. Some poets and mystics have compared the flute to humanity, its creator blowing life into it to make the music of love.
Celtic music is soaked in passion. Historic compositions reflect love, longing and lament preserved through generations. Earthy folk repertoire of dance music is synonymous with the music of Ireland along with other forms like ballads and ancient Sean Nos.
Along with the fiddle, the harp, the pipes, the accordion, the guitar, the Bodhran drum and the banjo, the Tin Whistle plays a pivotal role in Celtic music. The high and sweet strains of this tiny instrument fills the air during concerts and informal pub sessions all over Ireland, often rising above all other instruments to touch the listener’s heart.
Not easy to play
Not to be underestimated for its tiny size, the Tin Whistle is a flute that provides soul to Celtic repertoire with its freshness, effervescence and emotionality. Although easily available in Irish music stores and souvenir boutiques at affordable prices, it is anything but easy to play. A vertical high-pitched flute as compared to other horizontal western flutes and the bansuri, the Tin Whistle belongs to the fipple flute category, like the recorder and the native American flute to name a few. The players are often called ‘whistlers.’ It is also known by other names like the penny whistle, English flageolet, Irish whistle, Belfast hornpipe and ‘feadóg stáin’ in Gaelic.
Tin whistle being played at a concert
Modern Tin Whistles are generally made of brass or nickel-plated brass tuning with a plastic fipple (mouth piece) and six finger holes. Other popular versions are made of sheet metal while PVC and all-metal ones are rare. The Tin Whistle is supposed to be a good starting instrument to learn before taking up the Uilleann pipes, considering the technical similarities between the two.
Tin Whistles are tuned diatonically and can commonly play in the scales of D and G major. While other popular keys are C and F major, the D whistle is the most popular in Irish music. There are longer and wider plastic tube or metal ‘low whistles’ for lower octaves. A number of colourful ornamentations like long and short rolls, cuts, cranns, vibrato, tonging, slides and strikes beautify the music of this little instrument.
Highly versatile, the Tin Whistle offers bounce and cheer to dance music such as ‘jigs’ and ‘reels’ often even accompanying Step Dance performances, offers soul to the slower, more elaborate renditions and lends dimension to a Celtic orchestra. Irish icons like Michael Falsey (County Clare), Mary Bergin (County Dublin) and Jillian Ní Mháille (County Mayo) to name a few, have made history on the tiny but magnificent, ancient piece of art.
The writer, a multi-linguist is an international performer and composer
