Whistle & Sing

This class is suitable for children aged 5+.

Confirmed Tutors - Siún Ní Dhuiffin, Claire McDonnell, Ciara Holland and Bláithín Mhic Cana.

Learn Songs, Airs and tunes in this beginner’s class for all ages.

No experience necessary. You will need your own Tin Whistle (make sure it’s in the key of D).

After a short introduction to the basics of the Tin Whistle, the aim of the class is to learn a new tune a day. The technique we will use is by ear and tablature (diagrams), so prior musical knowledge is not needed although notes will be given as an optional reference.

Participants will learn to sing songs from the traditional Irish repertoire, in the aural tradition in which they were originally passed from one singer to another. We will explore the historical, literary and geographical background of songs originating from different parts of Ulster with a focus on the street songs of Belfast. The class will also include an introduction to basic singing techniques, as well as an overview of styles of traditional singing, such as ornamentation and phrasing.