All the tools the beginner, novice, and intermediate tin whistle player needs in order to progress to a high level of competence in Irish music. Includes an Orientation to Traditional Irish Music, which puts the music in context, with information on scales and modes, dance tune types, the historical roots of whistle playing, and advice for learning by ear. the book is full of thorough instruction, exercises, and musical examples: from holding, fingering, breathing, and blowing, on up to advanced ornamentation, phrasing, and variations. Features a simple and penetrating new approach to understanding and notating ornamentation that goes beyond any previous method. Also includes history and theory of traditional Irish tin whistle music. for those who don't read music, almost all the exercises and examples appear on the companion CD.

For the beginner to the highly advanced player of Irish flute, tin whistle, or Boehm-system flute. Features a simple and penetrating new approach to understanding and notating ornamentation that goes beyond any previous method, exploring ornamentation techniques never described in print before. Also includes adaptations for Boehm-system flute players, guidance on breathing and phrasing, 49 ornamentation exercises, history and theory of traditional Irish flute and whistle music, and 27 meticulous transcriptions of recordings by these important Irish flute and tin whistle players: John McKenna,Tom Morrison, William Cummins, Séamus Ennis, Willie Clancy, Paddy Taylor, Paddy Carty, Grey Larsen, Josie McDermott, Matt Molloy, Cathal McConnell, Mary Bergin, Donncha Ó Briain (Denis O'Brien), Desi Wilkinson, Breda Smyth, Seán Ryan, Conal Ó Gráda, Micho Russel, Joanie Madden, Kevin Crawford, Catherine McEvoy, and Seamus Egan. for those who don't read music, almost all the exercises, examples and tunes appear on the two companion CDs. Grey has, through his research, patience, and diligence, completed a work on Irish flute and tin whistle that I feel is essential reading for anybody interested in getting it right. - Matt Molloy, Irish Flute player with the Chieftains.

Grey Larsen, in the 150 Gems collection, has given us a most welcome follow-up to his encyclopedic volume, The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle (Mel Bay Publications, 2003) and The Essential Tin Whistle Toolbox (Mel Bay Publications, 2004). The Gems feature not only meticulously-selected tunes, but represent the first major offerings that use Larsen's innovative system of notating Irish ornamentation. This book and online audio will help players gain a deeper understanding of the Irish musical tradition as well as provide new material to enhance the experience of the solo player and Irish session participant alike.

The tin whistle has an alluring voice — yearning, melancholy, joyous, playful — both youthful and ancient. Its music can sound like wind, birdsong, flowing water. With this book, you can learn to make beautiful whistle music: even if you’ve never played a musical instrument even if you don’t read music no matter how young or old you are First Lessons® Tin Whistle is for beginners and for those who have tried to play the whistle (also known as a pennywhistle) but need more help. This book leaves no stone unturned, offering valuable insights and detailed instruction you won’t find anywhere else — expert guidance that will smooth your way and steer you clear of the pitfalls newcomers often encounter. In addition to music notation, this book offers two highly accessible alternatives: A much-improved tablature system Suit Code — a new and inventive fingering shorthand using the suits of the deck of cards With this book you’ll get: Access to audio and video downloads 23 tunes from Irish, Scottish, Northumbrian, Welsh, English, Breton and African American traditions, along with melodies from Beethoven and Dvorák An introduction to Irish tin whistle ornamentation Grey Larsen is a master musician who performs and teaches internationally. He has played the whistle since the 1970’s and has written nine books, including the best-seller The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle. The author recommends using a tin whistle in the key of D with this book.

Here are 34 easy-to-play folk, popular and classical favorites arranged for tin whistle (also known as pennywhistle) or Irish flute. Chords are included for guitar, keyboard, or other accompaniment instrument. Also included with this book: • Access to online audio for all 34 songs, with tin whistle, Irish flute, piano, and guitar • Three duet arrangements If you don’t read music, you can still use this book! In addition to music notation, there is a specially designed tablature for tin whistle and Irish flute. What makes these tune arrangements easy? • They are played in the lower two octaves of the whistle and flute’s range, ascending no higher than B in the second octave. • They are in easy tin whistle and Irish flute keys, such as: D major, G major, E minor and B minor. No metal keys are needed on the Irish flute. • They use only eight notes: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C and C#. • They are also easy to play on soprano and tenor recorder, modern flute, and piccolo. Grey Larsen is a master musician who performs and teaches internationally. He has played tin whistle and Irish flute since the 1970s and has written nine books, including First Lessons Tin Whistle and the best-seller, The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle. The author recommends using a tin whistle in D or a standard Irish flute (with or without keys) with this book. You can also use soprano and tenor recorders, modern flute, and piccolo. However, the tablature in this book uses only tin whistle and Irish flute fingerings.

Here are 30 easy-to-play Christmas favorites arranged for tin whistle (also known as pennywhistle) and Irish flute. Chords are included for guitar, keyboard, or other accompaniment instrument. Also included with this book: Access to audio downloads for all 30 songs, with tin whistle, Irish flute and guitar Three duet arrangements If you don’t read music, you can still use this book! In addition to music notation, there is a specially-designed tablature for tin whistle and Irish flute. What makes these tune arrangements easy? They are played in the lower two octaves of the whistle and flute’s range, ascending no higher than B in the second octave. They are in easy tin whistle and Irish flute keys: D major, G major, E minor and B minor. No metal keys are needed on the Irish flute. They use only eight notes: D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C and C♯. They are also easy to play on soprano and tenor recorder, modern flute and piccolo. The author recommends using a tin whistle in D or a standard Irish flute (with or without keys) with this book. You can also use soprano and tenor recorders, modern flute and piccolo. However, the tablature in this book uses only tin whistle and Irish flute fingerings.

From the author of The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle, comes 300 Gems of Irish Music for All Instruments. These 300 tunes, selected from among the author's favorites, are notated in a style that makes them accessible to players of fiddle, flute, whistle, accordion, concertina, harp, keyboard, guitar, mandolin, banjo, uilleann pipes - to all melody players.Here you will find some of the most beautiful tunes in the storehouse of Irish music - session standards and rare treasures alike - tunes that will help both the performer and the Irish session participant build a vibrant and varied repertoire.Many of the transcriptions pay homage to recordings by famous Irish musicians and groups such as Matt Molloy (of the Chieftains), Martin Hayes, Sharon Shannon, Mary Bergin, Kevin Burke, James Kelly, Willie Clancy, Altan, the Bothy Band and the Mulcahy Family, as well as to early 20th century recordings from revered Irish masters Michael Coleman, Paddy Killoran, Dennis Murphy, Bobby Casey, Paddy Canny and others.

Grey Larsen, in the 150 Gems collections, has given us a most welcome follow-up to his encyclopedic volume, The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle (Mel Bay Publications, 2003) and The Essential Tin Whistle Toolbox (Mel Bay Publications, 2004). The Gems feature not only meticulously-selected tunes, but represent the first major offerings that use Larsen's innovative system of notating Irish ornamentation. These books and online audio will help players gain a deeper understanding of the Irish musical tradition as well as provide new material to enhance the experience of the solo player and Irish session participant alike. Includes access to online audio.

From the author of The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle comes a work for players of all melody instruments that probes deeply into the art of variation in traditional Irish dance music. At the heart of Down the Back Lane are the accompanying audio recordings. The author plays eight traditional tunes on Irish flute and tin whistle, each three timesthrough, complete with beautiful variations. He notates each performance inmeticulous detail and offers insightful comments on each one. We get a rare and intimate view into the intuitive musical mind of a masterful player, along with extensive information on ornamentation, phrasing, articulation, dynamics and much more.Though the author plays the tunes on flute and whistle, he has carefully designed the book to be useful to players of all melody instruments.

“The book emphasizes a rich combination of factors . . . for a musical performer to succeed in a lifelong career.” —Peter Schoenbach, Ph.D Peppered with tips, helpful hints, and personal anecdotes to illustrate real-life application, this performance guide is essential for any wind player interested in taking his or her virtuosity to the next level. Internationally renowned bassoonist Kim Walker has compiled into one book the teachings and exercises that have made her known as an expert on bassoon performance, practice, and instruction. From basics like posture, breathing techniques, and articulation to a survey of the performance practices of key woodwind and brass masters, Walker includes an analysis of each technique along with images and exercises that present the mechanics of each method.