Tin Whistle vs Irish Flute: Differences and Similarities
You will often hear both instruments in traditional Irish music, but they differ in their construction, playing technique, and overall tone.
As we look at Irish music, two instruments often come into play: the tin whistle and the Irish flute. This article aims to outline the differences between them, simplifying their features for better understanding.
The tin whistle and the Irish flute are both wind instruments in traditional Irish music, but they are constructed and handled in separate ways. A tin whistle has an attached mouthpiece, known as a fipple, and is generally made of brass or nickel with a plastic headpiece. The Irish flute is played from the side, much like a concert flute, and is normally made from wood, although some people use materials like PVC or Delrin. On the Irish flute, you form the sound with your lips (embouchure) which provides greater management of the sound but presents a bigger learning obstacle. The tin whistle is easier to begin playing because the fipple manages the airflow, but this gives the player less command of how it sounds. Both instruments are diatonic and use identical fingerings, but they are not the same size and create different sounds.
Whether you're just starting out or have been playing for years, knowing what sets the tin whistle and Irish flute apart will help you pick the right one. In the next few sections, we'll look more closely at what makes each instrument different, so you can figure out which one works best for what you want to do.
Disclaimer: Celtic Musik participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Tin Whistle: A Gateway to Irish Music
A small, inexpensive, and simple to learn fipple flute, the tin whistle is a common starting instrument for people getting into Irish music. Robert Clarke first began mass producing them in the mid 1800s, and they have since become a standard part of Irish traditional music.
One of the defining things about the tin whistle is its bright, clean sound, which comes from how the instrument is built and the materials used. It is a diatonic instrument, meaning it plays in a single key, but you can find a whistle made for each of the twelve keys.
Learning the tin whistle can be an enjoyable and satisfying activity, but it does take some patience and work. For new players, the biggest hurdle is often controlling the wind pressure to prevent squeaking. With some time, though, it gets easier to make a consistent, clear sound. And since starter tin whistles are so cheap (usually $10 to $20), it is a great instrument to try without spending a lot of money.
While many people start with a basic tin whistle, there are also more costly models for advanced players. These well made whistles are known for their high quality and are often preferred by professional musicians. Another type to look into is the low whistle, which makes a lower sound that is well suited for playing slow, mournful tunes.
The tin whistle is a mainstay of Irish traditional music, despite not being the most complicated instrument. Its clear, bright notes can be heard in sessions across the globe, and it is a fixture in any Irish musical group or show. The tin whistle has become a favorite choice for musicians of all abilities who want to get into Irish music because it is easy to play and affordable.
Browse through a selection of affordable tin whistles suitable for beginners. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to different brands on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3MOrne7
Irish Flute: A Rewarding Journey
The Irish flute is a well loved instrument in traditional Irish music. It has a long history, peaking in use during the mid 19th century before the modern concert Boehm flute appeared. Unlike the tin whistle, the Irish flute needs a special embouchure to produce a note, which can take a while to get right. For those who keep at it, the sound an Irish flute can make is worth the effort.
Typical Irish flutes are made from materials like African blackwood, rosewood, cocuswood, and synthetic materials such as Delrin and polymer. And with new developments in technology, 3D printed resin Irish flutes have come onto the market. While the instrument is generally diatonic in D, there are also keyed versions that allow for full or partial chromaticism, expanding the instrument's notes and flexibility when playing different kinds of music.
Learning the Irish flute is an instrument that is hard but gratifying. For beginners, the embouchure can be a big challenge, as the correct formation of the mouth and lips is needed to produce the wanted note. But with practice and commitment, the flute’s adaptable and expressive qualities can be controlled to make great music. As a central part of Irish traditional music, the Irish flute is a good instrument to master for anyone looking into the genre.
Switching from the tin whistle to the Irish flute is a normal next move due to the similarities in fingering between both instruments. The Irish flute is a more expensive instrument, with beginner models costing between $100 and $400, and professional grade versions can be $10,000 or more. Yet, the cost is worth it for those looking to get into the sound and background of traditional Irish music. Its specific sound makes it a main feature of any Irish traditional music session.
If you are looking to start playing the Irish flute, the Tony Dixon tunable polymer Irish flute is a good choice before committing to more expensive wooden flutes. More information through this Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3znBUKl
Choosing the Right Instrument
To summarize, the tin whistle and the Irish flute have their own individual characteristics. The tin whistle is approachable and easy to begin with, making it a good fit for newcomers, while the Irish flute offers a more complicated and fuller sound for those with more playing time.
The tin whistle is a great starting place for those interested in Irish traditional music, because of its low cost, direct fingering, and bright sound. It is a wonderful instrument for beginners to learn and can be played comfortably after only a few lessons. The Irish flute, on the other hand, is recommended for more seasoned whistle players or classical flutistslooking to move over to the instrument.
However, this does not mean that total beginners cannot try to learn the Irish flute. With patience, work, and the right information, anyone can learn to play the Irish flute and access its particular sound and expressive capabilities. Whether you are a beginner or a practiced player, both the tin whistle and Irish flute provide a direct and absorbing musical activity that puts you inside traditional Irish music.
If you are looking for the best of both worlds, the Dixon flute has an interchangeable head to turn it to a low whistle. More information through this Amazon link: https://amzn.to/4d9V5VY
What is Celtic Music?
