Many Keys One Whistle or Many Keys Many Whistles

Hi, friends.

Our whistles are not intended for us to play every tune on one whistle.

Whistles are designed so that we play tunes in the primary and secondary keys of each whistles.

I primarily play a D whistle. This means that I can easily play tunes in the key of D and the key of G. There are two minor keys I can naturally play using my D whistle, but we will save that conversation.

If I want to play tunes in the key of E flat, I could learn fancy fingering, or I could purchase an E flat whistle. The preference is that we use the whistle that fits the key of the tune.

This is why you will see better players carrying a number of whistles with them. Most all of us start with a whistle in the key of D because this is the primary key for Irish whistle tunes.

Select the video to the right to access the video lesson.