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Also called tinwhistles or simply whistles, pennywhistles are cylindrical or conical flageolets (end-blown fipple flutes) with 6 fingerholes, related to recorders but missing the thumbhole and the extra hole for the little finger of the lower hand. Players reach a higher octave by "overblowing." Pennywhistles are very popular for traditional Celtic music. They are made of a variety of materials and in various keys, but are most commonly found in wood or metal versions in the key of D, often with a plastic mouthpiece. Whistles are portable, cheap, readily available, and easy to play!
* Conical bore whistles have a tapered bore, as opposed to a straight, or cylindrical bore. They are often made of one piece of metal with a plug of a different material, instead of a metal shank with separate plastic mouthpiece. Many traditional players feel that the tone and intonation of a tapered instrument is more appropriate for Irish music. Most of these instruments require somewhat more lung power to play than most straight bore whistles.
** Tabor pipes have a fipple mouthpiece but only 3 holes: two fingerholes plus a thumbhole. They can play a complete diatonic scale by overblowing and using the overtone series - about the same range as the Scottish bagpipes, 9 notes. Although this is a much more limited range and key options than a whistle, there is an advantage: the one-handed fingering allows the player to strike a tabor drum or other percussion with the free hand.
Generation Whistles
- Made in England
- Only inexpensive whistle besides Susato available in a wide variety of keys
- A favorite of many Irish musicians
- One-piece, cylindrical metal tube with plastic mouthpiece, six fingerholes
- Mouthpiece has a characteristic "bump" below the window
- All keys available in brass with red mouthpiece or nickel with blue mouthpiece. (Some people say nickel is louder and brighter, and brass is a bit mellower and warmer)
- Standard key is D
- Not tuneable until glue seal at mouthpiece is melted.
- How to "tweak" a Generation whistle to make it play better.
Clarke Whistles
The Clarke Story
In 1843 Robert Clarke, a farm laborer,
decided to try his hand at something else in order to supplement
his meager wages. With the help of the local blacksmith he made
a set of tools to make a tin whistle. Before long he moved to
Manchester where he built a small factory and eventually became
the largest manufacturer of pennywhistles in England. Clarke
pennywhistles are still made today following the same traditional methods.
Sweetone Whistles
Rolled, conical, enameled metal whistle made by Clarke. Shown here in black.
- Plastic mouthpiece designed by flutemaker Michael Copeland
- Sturdy, balanced, stable, with good intonation, easy to play
- According to many players, the best inexpensive whistle on the
market today
- In black, green, red, blue, or silver. Please let us choose a color for you.
Shaw Whistles
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House of Musical Traditions
