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The piper’s grip has kept the low D whistle out of reach for too many players for too long. Here’s a guide to every instrument designed to fix that — including two exciting new arrivals. If you’ve ever picked up a low D whistle and immediately wondered how anyone is supposed to reach those bottom…

We often hear folk in the whistle community discussing the relative merits of Lír, Wild, Killarney, and, more recently, Compass tin whistles. In this article we give a quick overview of these four comparable brands, covering the key points. The first thing to note about these four whistle brands, is that they are all fundamentally…

The tin whistle, a simple yet charming instrument, is often the first step for many into the world of traditional Irish music. Its sweet, melodic sound can capture the heart, but as with any instrument, there are nuances to master. While many beginners are eager to dive into playing their favourite tunes, they often overlook…

Each to their own! In this blog post, we take a look at some of the world’s most famous whistles and their instruments of choice. From Ireland, to the furthest corners of the globe, there are dozens of brilliant whistle makers to choose from today, each with their own distinctive style and benefits. In recent…

This chart shows the basic fingering for a tin whistle in the key of D. Most players hold the whistle with their dominant hand at the bottom three holes (further from the mouthpiece), and the non-dominant hand at the top (closer to the mouthpiece). Use the middle three fingers on each hand, maintaining a relaxed…

The best thing you can do to extend the life of your whistle is to keep it clean. This blog posts covers all the key information you need to know to keep your whistle clean. How to clean a metal tin whistle 1) Wipe the head after each use Moisture is the enemy, dirt is its accomplice.…

Tony Dixon manufactures several different great quality low D whistles at an affordable price. Dixon’s range includes both plastic polymer and aluminium whistles that are either tuneable or non-tuneable. Dixon also offers flute heads combinations as well as whistle heads.  This blog post gives a brief overview of 5 of the best Dixon low D…

The low F whistle is one of the more popular ‘unusual’ keys for a low whistle. For experienced whistlers looking to try different keys, the low F, along with the G, makes a popular second-choice to the typical low D. There are relatively few low F whistles on the market, but at Big Whistle, we…

Behind the low D, the low G whistle is probably the second most popular pitch for a low whistle, on a par with the F. Of course, the D is the gold standard, as the most common key in folk music. We also see some demand for C and A whistles. But the low G…

The modern tin whistle, also known as the penny whistle, traces its history back back to 1843. It is a staple of folk music, and traditional Irish music in particular. First conceived by Robert Clarke, the Clarke Tin Whistle holds the claim of being the ‘original’ tin whistle. But the Clarke is not the only…

First developed in the early 1970s by Bernard Overton, the low D whistle has grown in popularity over the decades. The warm, deep, flute-like tones of the low whistle have made it a popular musical instrument amongst folk musicians and even some jazz musicians worldwide. Today, low D whistle makers are popping up all over…