Summer Introducing
Tin Whistle
A Group Course for Beginners
‘The classes are the highlight of my week. I tried other instruments but always gave up, never found one that I could enjoy as much as I do the tin whistle. So much of it is thanks to Harry, who is a brilliant, expert teacher, finding the perfect pace to develop and always encouraging the group.’
– A. Boda
‘I really enjoyed learning step-by-step from a master of the instrument, in a relaxed atmosphere.’
– G. McManus
Course Description
A simple tube of metal with six finger-holes, the whistle has an expressive range that can encompass everything from the speed and excitement of dance music to the haunting and emotionally-charged expression of slow airs. Wooden and bird-bone whistles a thousand years old have been found in excavations of Viking Dublin, and today’s tin whistle is only the most recent in a long line of whistles in Ireland.
Designed for absolute beginners, this summer version of Waltons New School of Music’s Introducing Tin Whistle course teaches all of the basic elements of whistle playing, covering such aspects as tonguing, vibrato and slurring, and including some ornamentation and variation. Students will concentrate on slow airs, jigs and polkas, but other forms may be touched on as well. Also covered are some aspects of the history of the instrument and the music played on it.
An online course, Summer Introducing Tin Whistle can be taken by participants living anywhere in Ireland or around the world.
Requirements
Course participants will need to have ‘D’ tin whistles for both classes and practise (see the Recommended Instruments tab on this page for a list of recommended tin whistles), as well as:
- An internet-connected laptop, computer, tablet or smartphone. (A laptop or computer with webcam and microphone is recommended, as it will have the largest picture.)
- Headphones or earbuds are recommended.
- Ideally, internet speed at least 1.5Mb per second. (You can test your speed using Measurement Lab’s Speed Test.)
- Headphones or earbuds, if possible.¹
- Free Zoom software or app.²
- Waltons Music has Zoom headphones and microphones that are ideal for online music tuition and are available at 5% discounts for students enrolled in the course. If you would like to obtain a discount, please contact Waltons with your instrument choice and include a scan or photo of your course payment receipt.
- If you haven’t learned music with Zoom before, please see our printable Zoom for Students information sheet for information on how to download and set up Zoom for music tuition.
Before the course begins, the teacher will email you a Zoom meeting invitation that includes a meeting ID and password to join the first class.
Enrol in this course.
Questions about the course?
or call us on (01) 478 1884.
This course covers Stage 1 of the New School’s ten-stage system of student progress and assessment, which culminates in a teaching or performing qualification (Stage 10) should the student progress that far. Participants who successfully complete the course can be issued with a certificate of completion of Stage 1. If you are taking the course, please let the school office know if you would like this certificate. See About Our Stage System for more information.
Summer Introducing Tin Whistle is one of the New School’s group courses. We also offer private tin whistle lessons for students of all ages and skill levels. See Traditional • Folk • World Instruments Tuition for more information.
Techniques Covered
A video demonstration of some techniques covered in the course:
Harry Long
Coming from a family steeped in Irish music, with a PhD in Irish History and author of The Waltons Guide to Irish Music and the Leaving Cert. Music coursebook Soundscapes: Irish Music & Aural Awareness, Harry has devoted a lifetime to the study and teaching of Irish history and traditional music, in all its forms. He has played tin whistle, low whistle and bodhrán for over three decades and has performed with the Irish National Folk Company at St. Enda’s National Historic Park and both solo and in sessions at music and dance festivals throughout Ireland and internationally. He currently performs with the trad/folk band Coscán and has released three albums with the group, most recently Firedance (2019). Harry has composed and recorded music for RTÉ radio and television documentaries, including Head Waters (1991), on the area where Turlough O’Carolan was born, and A Change of Heart (1997). His solo whistle playing can be heard on the album Rinka (2002), as well as the Waltons double CDs, Ireland’s Best Tin Whistle Tunes, Volumes 1 and 2 and Ireland’s Best Tin Whistle Tunes for Children. As a teacher, he has guided hundreds of students at both private and national schools in Dublin, Meath and Wicklow. Harry has taught tin whistle, low whistle, bodhrán and Irish Music Tasters, as well as directing the Rig-a-Jig traditional music group, with the New School since 2000.
Harry talks about his background and love of Irish music.
Harry talks about his main instrument, the low whistle, and plays two Irish tunes.
Reviews • Testimonials
‘Excellent teaching, and easy learning techniques.’
– T. Carroll
‘A great teacher!’
– G. McCarthy
‘You can teach an old dog new tricks!’
– J. McCollum
‘Harry’s approach to teaching the tin whistle is brilliant. He started gently (which I needed) and brought everyone along. There’s also a mix of Irish music appreciation that works for me. I’d recommend this class for anyone interested in learning to play traditional music.’
– P. May
‘Harry is a great teacher, with a passion for Irish music that is infectious.’
– K. Murphy
‘I would highly recommend Harry Long to anyone wanting to take up tin whistle. He is a patient and encouraging tutor….’
– V. Ní Dhomhnaill
‘Harry’s teaching methods are excellent, and I could see my own skills improving each week. Great atmosphere in the class.’
– M. O’Donoghue
‘Excellent tutor who takes personal interest in our progress. I am learning so much, am enjoying every class and have improved significantly since I started the course.’
– A. O’Driscoll
‘Harry is just great. In a few online classes, he taught me the basics of the Irish tin whistle, with a little effort from my side. His key capability is being able to transfer knowledge in an enjoyable manner.’
– I. Savi
Have you taken – or are you taking – this course? We would appreciate it if you could take a few moments to give us your feedback in a brief online questionnaire about it.
2025 Summer Term
Course Schedule & Fee
To be confirmed.
Please contact us (providing your name) if you would like to be notified when our 2025 course is confirmed and we start accepting enrolments.
Enrolment
Enrolment for this course requires a completed Enrolment Form and full payment of the course fee. Places are limited to eight and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. Many of our group courses fill in advance of their start dates, so early enrolment is recommended.
Purchasing this course as a gift?
Please complete a Gift Certificate Booking Form.
Questions about the course?
Recommended Instruments
There are many tin whistle available, but the following – all available from Waltons Music – are recommended for their quality and affordability.
- Waltons Mellow D Tin Whistle • €6.50
- Waltons Brass D Tin Whistle • €6.50
- Generation Brass D Tin Whistle Pack • €9.80
- Tony Dixon DX001 One-Piece Soprano D Whistle • €16.40
The two Waltons Tin Whistles can be purchased from Waltons Music at 10% discounts and the Tony Dixon Whistle can be purchased from Waltons Music at a 5% discount for students enrolled in the course. If you would like to obtain a discount, please contact Waltons with a scan or photo of your course payment receipt.
What happens after the course?
Two weeks before the end of each Introducing course, participants will be given options for continuing their tuition with the New School if they would like to do so. Although an ‘improvers’ or continuation course cannot be scheduled on the same day/time as the Introducing course, one can be arranged if enough course participants would like to continue and the teacher has timetable availability or there is timetable availability with another teacher. Participants can also continue their tuition with private (one-to-one) lessons or ‘partner’ lessons with another class member. (See Tuition Options – Private • Partner • Small Group Lessons.) We are happy to discuss these options with you.
Tin Whistle on YouTube