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Catalog > Wind Instruments > Pennywhistles updated April 29, 2008

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!

Metal Whistles Wooden Whistles Plastic Whistles Tabor Pipes ** Generation pennywhistles

Article: Pennywhistle Tips
for Beginners

* 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. Please specify. (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.

To order, do a mouse click to put a checkmark in the smaller box next to the item that you want. Then type the number that you want in the box next to "Quantity." Then click on the "Add To Cart" button directly below.

Generation Brass Whistles

Bb (bagpipe key) -- $13.55 Quantity:

C (recorder key) -- $12.60 Quantity:

D (Irish key) -- $11.25 Quantity:

Eb -- $11.00 Quantity:

F -- $10.45 Quantity:

G -- $10.20 Quantity:

Generation Nickel Whistles

Bb (bagpipe key) -- $15.65 Quantity:

C (recorder key) -- $14.40 Quantity:

D (Irish key) -- $13.20 Quantity:

Eb -- $13.00 Quantity:

F -- $12.60 Quantity:

G -- $12.00 Quantity:

Generation Folk Whistle in D
Green plastic mouthpiece, brass body -- $8.00

Generation Tabor Pipe in D

Tabor pipes have three holes and are made to be played with one hand, while the musician drums with the other hand. They are often used in Morris music.

Generation tabor pipes are often difficult for us to obtain and keep in stock. Please contact us for current availability on these items.

Other Brands: Susato and Sweetheart


Walton's Irish Whistles

  • Made in Ireland -- this whistle used to be called "Soodlums"
  • Cylindrical metal whistles with green plastic mouthpiece
  • Loud, good tone and intonation, pretty consistent sound
  • Some are tunable without heating mouthpiece
  • Mouthpiece is ridged below the fipple, at the joint of the tubing
  • Mellow D is slightly larger diameter and has larger fingerholes
  • Walton's Tinwhistle Pack $19.95
    Easy-to-follow diagrams and instructions for beginners. Includes booklet, CD, and a tinwhistle in D.

    To order the whistles below, perform a mouse click to put a checkmark in the smaller box next to the item(s) that you want. If you want more than 1 whistle, type the number in the box next to "Quantity." Then click the "Add To Cart" button at the bottom.

      Walton's Irish Whistle

      D Brass -- $7.00 Quantity:

      D Nickel -- $9.00 Quantity:

      "Mellow" D Brass -- $7.00 Quantity:

      C Brass -- $7.00 Quantity:

      C Nickel -- $10.00 Quantity:


    Little Black Whistle

  • Lightweight, thin-walled, cylindrical metal whistle
  • Painted matte-black with black plastic mouthpiece
  • Great, non-squeaky, easily-controlled beginner's whistle. So easy to play!
  • Somewhat quiet tone, with good intonation, light chiff
  • Some are tunable without heating the mouthpiece
  • This is our pennywhistle teacher's favorite bargain whistle
  • Although made out of metal, it's delicate: don't stick it in your back pocket and then sit down!
  • $5.95

    Guinness Black Whistle

    These are just like the Little Black Whistle in D, except all dressed up with a Guinness logo on them and a beige mouthpiece (like a foamy head on a pint of dark stout -- get it?) Very attractive. They come in a nice box, suitable for giving.

    $10.50


    Oak Whistle

    • Key of D only
    • Thick-walled cylindrical nickel shaft with black plastic mouthpiece
    • Very loud, strong, pleasant tone
    • Can be difficult for beginners to control
    • More sturdy than most inexpensive whistles

    $11.95


    Acorn Whistles

    • Key of D only
    • Lightweight cylindrical enameled metal
    • Black plastic mouthpiece
    • Includes book and 33-track CD "Play Pennywhistle Now" by Peter Pickow

    $17.85
    Whistle also available separately, please inquire.


    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.

  • Conical whistle, rolled tin plate with wooden mouthpiece plug
  • Painted black with gold lettering
  • The oldest of the factory-made whistles
  • All-time favorite with many Irish players
  • Renowned for that characteristic that traditional players call "chiff"
  • With fingering chart and tune sheet
  • Original D -- $15.25

    Original C -- $15.25


    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.

    Key of D -- $8.50

    Key of C -- $8.50


    NEW! The Clarke Meg Whistle:

    Very similar to the popular Sweetone whistle, but made with budget raw materials and a modified production process. The Meg whistle sounds great -- plays very easily in the whole two octave range and is capable of all the ornamentation that other whistles are. Great for beginners.

    Available in silver. The silver is painted, as opposed to the "natural" Sweetone, which means the silver Meg won't react to oils in your fingers.

    $5.25

    Shaw Whistles

    • Imported from Ireland
    • Breathy in tone
    • Rolled, one-piece metal whistle
    • Requires more wind than most whistles
    • Tapered bore
    • Similar in sound and playability to Clarke
    • Wooden plug, all metal airway

    To order the whistles below, perform a mouse click to put a checkmark in the smaller box next to the item(s) that you want. If you want more than 1 whistle, type the number in the box next to "Quantity." Then click the "Add To Cart" button at the bottom.

    Eb Shaw -- $41.00 Quantity:

    E Shaw -- $41.00 Quantity:

    D Shaw -- $41.00 Quantity:

    C Shaw -- $45.00 Quantity:

    Bb Shaw -- $88.00 Quantity:

    B Shaw -- $90.00 Quantity:

    A Shaw -- $99.00 Quantity:

    Low G Shaw -- $130.00 Quantity:

    Low F Shaw -- $145.00 Quantity:

    Low D Shaw -- $160.00 Quantity: