Rarely what Irish music does without a whistle. Fun jigs, fast polka, slow soulful voices - everywhere you can hear the voices of these authentic instruments. Whistle is a longitudinal flute with a whistle and six holes. It is made, as a rule, from metal, but it is often possible to meet also options from a tree or plastic.
They are very cheap, and to learn the basics of the game is much easier than on a recorder. Perhaps this is what brought the instrument such popularity among folk musicians around the world. Or maybe the reason was the bright, a little hoarse sound, which brings to mind the green hills of Ireland and the heady medieval fairs.
Whistle history
Different versions of wind instruments can be found in any country in the world. Not an exception and the territory of modern Britain. Mention of the first whistles dates back to 11-12 centuries. Flutes are easy to make from scrap materials, so they are especially valued among the common people.
By the XIX century a certain standard was formed - a longitudinal shape and 6 holes for the game. At the same time, lived Robert Clark - an Englishman who made the greatest contribution to the development of this tool. Good flutes cut from wood or bone - a rather laborious process. Roberta visited the idea to make metal whistle, namely from a white tin.
So appeared modern tin whistle (translated from English. tin - tin). Clark collected pipes right on the streets and then sold them at a very affordable price. Cheapness and colorful hoarse sound subdued people. Most of all they love the Irish. The tin flute quickly settled down in the country and became one of the most recognizable folk instruments.
Whistle species
Today there are 2 types of whistles. The first is classic tin whistleInvented by Robert Clark. Second - low whistle - appeared only in the 1970s. It is about 2 times the size of its smaller brother and sounds an octave lower. The sound is deeper and softer. It did not receive special distribution, and is most often used to accompany a tin-whistle.
Due to the primitive construction, these flutes can be played only in one system. Manufacturers produce different versions of whistles for playing in various keys. The most common - Re second octave (D). This is the key that the overwhelming majority of Irish folk music compositions have. The first tool of each whistler should be exactly in Re.
Whistle basics - how to learn to play?
If you are familiar with a recorder, understanding the essence of a tin-whistle is a matter of ten minutes. If not - do not worry. This is a very easy to learn tool. A little diligence - and in a couple of days you will surely play simple folk songs.
First you need to take the flute correctly. To play you need 6 fingers - index, middle and nameless on each hand. With your thumbs you will hold the tool. Place your left hand closer to the whistle, and right hand to the end of the pipe.
Now try to close all the holes. You do not need to apply force - just put a finger cushion on the hole. When everything is ready - you can start playing. Gently blow the whistle. Too much air flow will cause a “pereduv” - a very high squealing note. If you tightly closed all the holes and blow with normal power - you will get a confidently sounding note. Re of the second octave (D).
Now release the ring finger of your right hand (it closes the hole farthest from you). The pitch of the sound changes and you hear a note. Mi (E). If, for example, letting go of all your fingers, you will C sharp (C #).
A list of all the notes shown in the picture.
As you can see, whistlers are at the disposal of only 2 octaves. Not very much, but enough to play most of the songs. A schematic representation of the holes that need to be closed is called fingering. In the network, you can find entire collections of tunes in this version. To learn to play, you can not even know the musical notation. The perfect tool for novice musicians!
You may have noticed the plus sign in fingering. It means you need to blow stronger than usual. That is, to play a note an octave higher, you need to clamp the same holes and simply increase the flow of air. The exception is the note Re. In her case, it is better to let go of the first hole - the sound will be cleaner.
Another important part of the game is articulation. So that the melody is bright and not smeared - the notes need to be selected. Try during the game to make the language move, as if you want to say the syllable "that". Thus, you highlight the note, focus on changing the pitch of the sound.
When you can simultaneously touch your fingers and "tukat", start exploring your first melody. To start, choose something slower, preferably within one octave. And after a few days of training, you will be able to play something like the soundtrack for the film “Braveheart” or the famous Breton song “Ev Chistr 'ta Laou!”.
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