The tin whistle, also known as pennywhistles or metal Irish whistles, is a six-hole straight woodwind instrument played in a position similar to that of a recorder rather than a flute. The tin whistle, unlike the recorder, does not have a thumb hole, and the upper octave is reached by overblowing. The tin whistle is usually held with the left hand above the right, with the left hand’s index, middle, and ring fingers covering the top three holes and the right hand’s same fingers covering the bottom three holes.
Like all pennywhistles, the tin whistle can be conical with a tapered bore or cylindrical with a straight bore. While the term “tin whistle” clearly refers to a metal instrument with a molded plastic mouthpiece, identical instruments, known as whistles, pennywhistles, or Irish whistles, are entirely made of wood or plastic. Plastic whistles are said to have better pitch stability when the air temperature changes.
A thumb rest may or may not be included with a tin whistle, but some companies sell a detachable thumb rest that can be purchased separately. There are tunable and nontunable tin whistles, as well as one-piece and two-piece models. Furthermore, some tin whistle brands come with one or two keys instead of just open holes, making the holes easier to reach.
The low and high D and high C keys are popular on the tin whistle, but there are a variety of other keys available. The so-called “low whistles” have a place in the repertoire all their own. Popular accessories include storage bags for multiple whistles, extra mouthpieces, and polishing cloths.
In traditional Irish music, such as airs, hornpipes, jigs, polkas, and reels, the whistle is frequently used to play the melody line. Popular playing techniques include embellishments or alterations, also known as “Irish whistle ornamentation.”
Mary Bergin Feadoga Stain, Cathol McConnell, Willie Clancy, Paddy Moloney, Davy Spillane, and Sean Potts are all well-known tin whistle players. The Chieftains and The Boys of the Lough are two well-known tin whistle bands.