Whistles

Whistles in their various forms are an absolutely integral part of Irish and Scottish folk music, and Celtic music more generally. These instruments are known by numerous names which – despite differences in construction, materials, origin, and history – ultimately all refer to more or less the same thing. Anyone looking to buy whistles will encounter terms such as tin whistle, Irish whistle, penny whistle, pocket whistle, Irish flute, and more on their musical journey of discovery. What they all have in common is that they are small and easy to handle, and are usually made from sheet metal and similar metals.

Another thing whistles have in common is their long musical history, as well as their often pared‑back design, such as that of the simple penny whistle, which has been preserved to this day. Even so, there are today various categories of this instrument – originally, they were all simple tin flutes. The differences between contemporary whistles begin with the materials used and the specifics of their construction, and extend to the playing style they're suited to and the level of professional craftsmanship applied in their manufacture.

This buyer's guide will tell you all you need to know about the different kinds of whistle. What's more, the specialists in Thomann's brass department are on hand and happy to assist you at any time by e-mail at brass@thomann.de, by telephone on +49 (0)9546-9223-26, or via our chat function. And because purchasing a musical instrument, however big or small, is always a matter of trust, Thomann offers a 30-Day Money-Back Guar­an­tee to ensure a stress-free, no-risk customer experience. On top of all that, Thomann's products are sold with a 3-year warranty to make sure that our customers can enjoy their instrument for years to come.

Uniquely charismatic colouration

Whistles are so-called "fipple" flutes, a term meaning they have an air duct that's blown into at one end: Simple instruments of this kind appear in almost all cultures throughout human history. The tin whistle itself comes from the British Isles; the name appears for the first time in 1825, although similar instruments had been used in, for instance, Ireland for centuries. Today, they are mainly used in Irish folk music, South African kwela, and modern interpretations of medieval music. The whistle's melancholic sound and its bright, charismatic colouration are enchanting. This special acoustic appeal is exactly what makes tin whistles so hard to resist.

Buying whistles: specific attributes and differences

Traditional whistles such as the Clarke whistle or the penny whistle are generally made of metal – more precisely, of tin, hence the name. That was at least the case originally, and it gave them their unmistakeable haunting sound, transporting listeners straight into the beautiful landscapes of Ireland or Scotland. Contemporary manufacturers continue to experiment widely with other materials, each with its own advantages and distinctive sound characteristics, although brass is perhaps most common.

Made from different materials

Anyone looking to buy a whistle will encounter – alongside metal flutes – affordable, extremely robust, and very low‑maintenance models made of ABS plastic. Whistles made of wood, offering a correspondingly warmer tone, are also available. It's up to the individual musician to determine which material and design best suits their personal style. Trying them out and comparing them is an excellent way of reaching a decision you can rely on.

When it's worth choosing a tunable flute

It is generally advantageous if the flute is tunable – among the more expensive instruments, this attribute has become almost standard. The idea behind this is mostly a pragmatic one: A whistle is an instrument that is rarely played alone, but when a whistle player want to make music together with other instrumentalists, their instruments' tuning must be matched. Of course, this isn't exactly a musical revelation, but it wasn't always the case that this type of flute was tunable.