Unique among books on the whistle and Celtic music, this book takes the role of a personal tutor. It explains in detail the peculiarities of the instrument, the ancient modal scales the Irish tunes are based on, and offers a results-oriented program for quickly developing ability. As well it offers a practical method for developing breathing skills, something few books discuss. But what makes this book truly unique is the discussion of mnemonic techniques and analytical listening skills, which would make it an excellent resource for both parents and teachers. The author explains a simple, straightforward method of internalizing the old dance tunes of the session repertoire based on understanding the music's structure and the use of mnemonic cues. The scope of Mr. Esson's book makes it relevant to a much wider audience than the title would suggest.

Understanding The Tin Whistle

Introduction.................................................................4

How to Use This Book................................................4

Choosing a Whistle.....................................................5

An Important Clue......................................................5

The Fipple...................................................................5

The Body.....................................................................6

Robert Clarke..............................................................6

Initiating Tones...........................................................7

Holding the Whistle....................................................8

All About the Fingerings.............................................8

Fingering Chart–Low Octave...................................10

Fingering Chart–Upper Octave.................................13

Octave Drill...............................................................13

Understanding C Natural..........................................15

The G Scale...............................................................16

Practicing Scales.......................................................19

About the Modes.......................................................20

The Modes of D........................................................20

D Modes Chart..........................................................23

The Modes of G........................................................24

G Modes Chart..........................................................26

Shrill Notes and Sensitive Ears.................................27

Practice......................................................................27

The Learning Curve..................................................29

A Most Beneficial Drill.............................................29

The Music.................................................................30

Impressions on the Memory......................................31

Andy of Mayberry.....................................................32

What’s in a Name?....................................................33

Immersion.................................................................34

Let’s Learn a Tune....................................................35

Analytical Listening..................................................36

Parts..........................................................................39

Primes.......................................................................41

The First Note...........................................................43

About Written Music.................................................43

Developing Breathing Skills.....................................45

About Learning Tunes from Notation.......................47

Putting it in Your Fingers..........................................47

Ornamentation...........................................................48

The Slow Aire...........................................................50

The Sound Model......................................................50

Rhythmic Variation...................................................51

Melodic Variation......................................................52

Appendix 1................................................................56

Strange Keys and Half-holing;

Tunable Whistles

Appendix 2................................................................57

Hornpipes

Appendix 3................................................................59

Pointers on Notation

Appendix 4................................................................60

References and Recommended Reading

Appendix 5................................................................61

Furthering Your Musicianship and Sessions

Acknowledgements...................................................63

About the Author.......................................................63