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Community Learning Classes

Whistle Tutorials


Buying a Whistle A couple of words of advice about buying your first whistle.
Lesson 1
Let's Get Started
The first steps: holding the whistle, making a noise, our first notes, and tunes including Egan's Polka.
Lesson 2
More Notes
The high D; Egan's Polka revisited; The Skye Boat Song; the upper octave.
Lesson 3
Towards the Full Scale
We learn another two notes and start practicing a scale in D. Tunes: Amazing Grace and Wha Wadna Fecht for Chairlie?.
Lesson 4
Scales and Patterns
We look at alternative ways of practising scales. Tune: The Barnyards of Delgaty.
Lesson 5
Reels
We look at Scottish reels and their rhythm. Tunes: Tail Toddle and Short Coated Mary.
Lesson 6
The G Scale
We learn a new note: C natural. Tune: The Rakes of Mallow.
Lesson 7
Review
A look back and forward. Tune: Johnny McIljohn's No.1.
Lesson 8
The Strathspey
A look at this most Scottish of tune forms. Tunes: Comin Thro' the Rye; Burning of the Piper's Hut.
Lesson 9
Airs
A look at slow airs etc. Tunes: Farewell to Fuinary; Bonnie Galloway.
Lesson 10
Irish Reels
Tunes: Drowsy Maggie; Johnny McIljohn's #2.
Lesson 11
Irish Jigs
Tunes: Scattery Island Slide; The Donegal Lass.
Lesson 12
Irish Polkas
Tunes: Ryan's Polka; I'll Tell Me Ma.
Lesson 13
Irish Airs
Tunes: Si Beag Si Mhor; Eibhlin.
Lesson 14
Decoration
Tunes: Si Beag Si Mhor.
Lesson 15
Breathing
Tunes: Johnny McIljohn's #2; Teribus.
Lesson 16
Hector the Hero
An in-depth exploration of the popular slow air by James Scott Skinner.
Lesson 17
Harvest Home
An in-depth exploration of this most popular hornpipe and session favourite.
Lesson 18
Glenside Polka No.2
A fun and melodious Irish polka.

 Nigel Gatherer, Crieff, Perthshire | nigelgatherer@mac.com