Wild Irish Whistles

Just trying it out

€12 – €18

Light, affordable and the whistle generations of Irish players started on. Pitch is fixed and the tone can vary a little from one whistle to the next, which is fine for learning your first tunes.

Learning properly or joining sessions

Around €90 – €130

A brass body gives a brighter, more responsive tone than the aluminium used in most modern whistles. Each one is tuned by hand, and the strong, clear sound carries in a busy pub session.

Adding a second whistle

From €12

A low D for slow airs and a deeper, breathier voice, or a whistle in C, A, B♭ or E♭ to play along with singers and other instruments in different keys.

**Choose D if you want to play Irish traditional music.** Most jigs, reels and hornpipes are in D and G, and the D whistle plays both comfortably. It's the whistle you'll hear at almost every session. **Choose the key of A, C, Bb, or Eb** if the tunes, books, lessons, or group you're learning with use those keys instead of the Key of D. If you're not sure, most players are better off starting with D, but fingering is the same on every whistle. Only the pitch changes, so nothing you learn is wasted if you switch keys later

A tuneable whistle has a sliding head, so you can match your pitch to other players and correct it as the whistle warms up. If you mostly play on your own, a fixed-pitch whistle is fine. If you'll play in sessions or along with recordings, tuneable is worth having.

No. Every six-hole whistle uses the same fingering. Play a tune exactly as you would on a D whistle and it comes out in that whistle's own key, so the same fingers on a C whistle play it a tone lower. That's why players keep whistles in several keys: to match singers and other instruments without learning anything new.

A whistle in D. A Generation or Clarke at €12 to €18 is a fine way to find out if you enjoy it. If a cheap whistle sounds squawky however gently you blow, a better-made whistle such as the Wild Irish Whistle is often easier to get a sweet, steady tone from.

It depends on what you want it for. A low D gives a deeper, mellower voice for slow airs. A C lets you play along with groups and music in C and F. An alto whistle in G or A sits between the two, softer than a high D but easier to hold than a low D. The fingering is the same on all of them.

Yes, though how you play matters more. Brass is bright, strong and responsive. Aluminium and plastic are light and affordable. Wood, such as blackwood or rosewood, gives a warmer, rounder tone and needs a little more care, including occasional oiling.

Play for a minute first, because a cold whistle plays flat. Then check a long note, such as A, against a tuner app or a recording. On a tuneable whistle, slide the head out to lower the pitch or in to raise it. Blowing harder also makes notes sharper, so aim for a steady, relaxed breath.

Warm it in your hand before playing. If it clogs mid-tune, cover the window with a finger and blow a short, sharp breath. Afterwards, shake out the moisture and let it dry before it goes back in its bag. Rinse metal whistles in lukewarm, soapy water now and then, and oil wooden whistles occasionally. If a tuning slide gets stiff, clean the joint rather than forcing it.