Here's a complete guide to learning traditional Irish music on the tinwhistle. This easy and enjoyable lesson will satisfy beginners picking up the instrument for the first time as well as more advanced players wanting to study intricate embellishments and expressive variations.L.E. McCullough starts with the basics: How to choose a tinwhistle that's right for you, the proper way hold the instrument and how to blow it for maximum ease and effect. Before you know it you'll be playing scales and learning essential techniques such as slides, articulation, phrasing and tonguing. The all-important ornaments of traditional Irish musical style such as single and double grace notes, legato and staccato triplets, and long and short rolls are covered in detail.
Then, it's on to the best part - playing tunes! Each of the five sample pieces is broken down into its fundamental bare-bones melody, then "fleshed out" with full ornamentation and melodic variations:
Down by the Sally Gardens (air),
Britches Full of Stitches (polka),
Hanging Out to Dry (double jig),
Off to California (hornpipe),
Donegal Reel (reel). Don't miss exploring the full beauty and potential of this instrument.
