For many years I have not played the tin whistle much. I have concentrated on the flute, which is a stern mistress. Notwithstanding, in the right hands, the whistle is a tremendous instrument. Mary Bergin is legendary, here with Johnny McDonough,who is almost as good as she is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-jTlWGwWyg
The whistle, although using the same fingering as the flute, is a completely different animal. The flute is very physical, demanding abdomen and stomach. This is Patsy Hanley who makes it look very easy, but it is not. Notice blue tape wrapped around his flute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjLcfnY8-gY
I have not even owned a whistle for some years. However Gerard McKinley, an Ulsterman based in Okinawa and founder of Okinawa’s top irish traditional music band, the Islanders, orders a whistle for me. I get it last night at a performance in Naha.
Anyway I am very pleased with my new whistle and intend to learn the subtleties of this instrument.
For once, the description “totally awesome” is completely correct. What a nervous system that lady has.