First Lessons Tin Whistle
About this ebook
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.
About the author
Grey Larsen is a versatile and accomplished musician and an author of books on Irish music, with particular focus upon the Irish flute and tin whistle. In 1976 he graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio. In later years, he spent a great deal of time learning traditional Irish music from elder Irish immigrant musicians, most notably County. Galway melodeon player Michael J. Kennedy (1900 -1978), County. Sligo flute player Tom Byrne (1920-2001) and County. Leitrim fiddler Tom McCaffrey (1916-2006). He now leads a varied and rich musical life in Bloomington, Indiana (USA) as a performer, teacher, author, recording artist, record producer and mastering engineer. Since the early 1970s he has also devoted himself to the traditional fiddle music of his native Midwest and Appalachia, in particular the music of southern Indiana fiddler Joe Dawson (1928-2012). Larsen's books on traditional Irish music, published by Mel Bay Publications, have been highly successful.
