The 100 Easy Tin Whistle Songs for Beginners

In its modern form, the tin whistle is a member of those instruments known as ‘fipple’ flutes. But, of course, its use goes back a long way. In Europe, these instruments have a long history going back hundreds of years. In other parts of the world, Africa and Asia, they go back thousands of years.

They were made of bone originally, but over time became made from wood or bamboo and eventually tin.

Different Names

They have gone under various names as time moved on and different cultures embraced them. We have come to know them as a Flageolet, a Pennywhistle, or a native American Flute, as well as a few others.

And, as those different cultures began to use them, they created music. That music became a part of their culture. Today, we can listen to a wide range of tin whistle music. And, it isn’t difficult to find easy tin whistle songs for beginners.

A Boom In Players

The availability of the tin whistle grew significantly in the 1800s. This was due mainly to Robert Clarke, who produced thousands of them in his factory in Manchester, England, from 1840 to 1889.

It was a simple diatonic six-hole instrument and was well-known in the Baroque period two hundred years before Clarke. But, it was him that mass-produced them to be sold at a cheap price. 

They became popular not only with well-to-do English Victorians for their “parlor parties.” But also for street kids who found the few pennies needed to buy them. Furthermore, the one penny version, the “penny whistle,” which was the cheapest available, gave birth to a new name and culture.

And Today?

They are still popular. A good place to start if you would eventually like to move to another woodwind instrument. Or an instrument to learn to immerse yourself in local folk and community music.

A Range of Cultures

I have tried to include some music from various countries known for their use of the tin whistle. But, also some songs that you will know. Let’s make a start looking at some great songs for the tin whistle.

1

The Shire: Concerning Hobbits – From Lord of the Rings

Let’s start with a piece of music from this epic film. It is played on a recorder but playing it on the tin whistle sounds just as good. 

“The Lord Of The Rings” was one of the great literary works of all time. This English university professor created something that still amazes us even today. And Peter Jackson’s films enhanced the greatness of the story. Its epic qualities were made even better, if that was at all possible, by Canadian composer Peter Shore and his soundtrack for the films.

An incredible sound and piece of music…

The theme for the Shire and the Hobbits is one of the most recognizable pieces and features at the beginning and the end. This is a great piece to learn for the tin whistle. The sound produced by the instrument fits perfectly with the melody and the theme. 

It might not be the easiest to learn. But, I have included it here because if you can get it right, it will be so impressive.

2

Scarborough Fair – English Folk Tune

This song needs no introduction to most people. Paul Simon was influenced by it in his sojourn in England in the early 60s and, of course, recorded it a while later along with Art Garfunkel. It became a huge success, but the song goes back a couple of hundred years before Mr. Simon.

Played on the tin whistle, you’re taking it back to its earliest roots. It is quite likely it may have been played on this instrument by folk musicians of the time. 

Plenty of notes to play, and the ¾ time signature gives you some practice using that timing. It has a recurring theme, so once you have memorized the finger patterns, they are just repeated.

3

Auld Lang Syne – Scottish Folk Song

This might be the most well-known Scottish song ever, but it is best known for its use on New Year’s Eve. Robert Burns is traditionally credited with the lyrics, but he admitted that they had been passed on to him by an unknown old man.

It is a perfect song to learn on the tin whistle. Once again, a tune that has likely been played on the instrument for hundreds of years. The ‘whistle’ suits its style and tempo perfectly.

As is common with traditional and some folk music, the melody has a repetitive nature. So, once you have mastered the notes and finger positions, it is just repetition.

4

Yankee Doodle – American Nursery Rhyme

This tune, though widely known, won’t mean much to anyone outside America. But in America, it carries a lot of importance and history. This is a nursery rhyme that was a tune before the words were added. It is thought by historians that the melody itself dates back to medieval Europe.

Because it is so familiar, it will be quite easy to learn. Although, there are plenty of crotchets or quarter notes as they are sometimes called. It is a song usually played on a tin whistle. So, when you start to learn it, the tune will immediately sound right.

It is not only a good tune for playing, but it is a good practice song and another of those easy tin whistle songs for beginners.

5

Greensleeves – Old English Tune

It is thought that this tune was written by the English King, Henry the Eighth. The story goes that he composed it as a gift for Anne Boleyn, who would become his second wife. Indications are that it could be true as he was known to be very musical himself.

The time signature is ¾ which offers a good opportunity to play using that timing. And, once again, as it is a well-known tune, its familiarity will help with the learning process. The pace is relatively slow, so it will not be difficult to get the finger patterns right.

Another folk tune that is composed in Strophic form, which means repetition, also makes it easier to learn.

6

Amazing Grace

This is a song that just about everyone will know and is often a tune that beginners on any instrument will learn. Its steady pace makes learning the finger patterns easy, which is one reason woodwind players select it.

Played on the tin whistle, it takes you back in time to when the song was written and possibly first played. It was composed by the English Anglican clergyman and poet John Newton and published in 1779.

Not The Easiest

This will not be the easiest song on this list, even though it might sound simple to play. However, from a learning and practice perspective, it is going to help the player progress on the instrument.

There are plenty of notes that need to be learned, and finger technique will be important. Although it is once again in Strophic form, which means repetition, it is longer than most simple tunes. 

That is also going to assist you as you develop as a musician. You might consider this piece the next step up the ladder of difficulty.

Some Non-Traditional Songs

So, we have had a look at some of the more traditional songs you could play on the tin whistle. Songs that, in most cases, have been played on one for hundreds of years. But, you can play this instrument in some of today’s music as well. So, let’s look at a few…

7

My Heart Will Go On – From Titanic

This is a song that will register with anyone who saw the film, and quite a few that didn’t. The song itself is quite a rarity in today’s music world. The main melody is played with a woodwind instrument that sounds like a tin whistle. Not something you hear every day.

That makes it an ideal tin whistle song to learn for beginners, and with a nice steady pace, you will soon be performing this to a good standard.

8

Sounds Of Silence – Simon and Garfunkel

I included an English folk song that was recorded by Simon and Garfunkel earlier. Let’s turn to another from them, but this time a song by Paul Simon. This is one of those songs that stands out in the history of post-war music.

It is quite a basic song that sounds good when played on most instruments. And, it sounds superb when played on a tin whistle. It lends a certain innocence to the melody, which is just what is needed.

Back To The Traditional

9

Silent Night

So, let us close with another traditional song with deep resonance to just about everyone. Composed in 1818 by German composer Franz Gruber, it has become a favorite of many people. 

It can be played on most instruments, but it is on a woodwind instrument that it sounds best. And the tin whistle, once again, brings an innocence to the music that is also portrayed in the lyrics.

It has a nice steady tempo, and it helps to enhance the basic playing techniques. The ¾ timing makes it a great song for practice. Certainly a song that no one will get tired of hearing.

10

Old MacDonald Had a Farm – Traditional

11

Row, Row, Row Your Boat – Traditional

12

London Bridge is Falling Down – Traditional

13

Mary Had a Little Lamb – Sarah Josepha Hale

14

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star – Jane Taylor

15

Yankee Doodle – Traditional

16

This Old Man – Traditional

17

Pop Goes the Weasel – Traditional

18

Skip to My Lou – Traditional

19

The Farmer in the Dell – Traditional

20

Three Blind Mice – Traditional

21

Oh, Susanna – Stephen Foster

22

Camptown Races – Stephen Foster

23

Turkey in the Straw – Traditional

24

When the Saints Go Marching In – Traditional

25

She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain – Traditional

26

Oh My Darling, Clementine – Percy Montrose

27

Red River Valley – Traditional

28

On Top of Old Smoky – Traditional

29

My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean – Traditional

30

Michael, Row the Boat Ashore – Traditional

31

Kumbaya – Traditional

32

Oh, When the Saints – Traditional

33

The Yellow Rose of Texas – Traditional

34

The Wild Rover – Traditional

35

The Ash Grove – Traditional

36

Down by the Salley Gardens – Traditional

37

Loch Lomond – Traditional

38

Danny Boy – Traditional

39

Greensleeves – Traditional

40

Scarborough Fair – Traditional

41

The Skye Boat Song – Traditional

42

The Foggy Dew – Traditional

43

The Rising of the Moon – Traditional

44

The Fields of Athenry – Pete St. John

45

Rocky Road to Dublin – Traditional

46

Whiskey in the Jar – Traditional

47

The Spanish Lady – Traditional

48

I’ll Tell Me Ma – Traditional

49

Dirty Old Town – Ewan MacColl

50

The Black Velvet Band – Traditional

More 50 Easy Tin Whistle Songs for Beginners

51. 51. Baa, Baa, Black Sheep – Traditional
    52. The Wheels on the Bus – Traditional
    53. The Grand Old Duke of York – Traditional
    54. Polly Put the Kettle On – Traditional
    55. Home on the Range – Brewster Higley
    56. The Water is Wide – Traditional
    57. The Parting Glass – Traditional
    58. The Minstrel Boy – Traditional
    59. Star of the County Down – Traditional
    60. The Sally Gardens – Traditional
    61. The Fiddler’s Green – Traditional
    62. The Town I Loved So Well – Phil Coulter
    63. The Patriot Game – Dominic Behan
    64. The Irish Rover – J. M. Crofts
    65. The Bonnie Lass o’ Fyvie – Traditional
    66. The Castle of Dromore – Traditional
    67. The Rattlin’ Bog – Traditional
    68. Roddy McCorley – Traditional
    69. The Humours of Glendart – Traditional
    70. A Nation Once Again – Thomas Davis
    71. The Star of County Down – Traditional
    72. The Lark in the Morning – Traditional
    73. The Blackbird – Traditional
    74. The Derry Air – Traditional
    75. Boolavogue – Traditional
    76. Lannigan’s Ball – Traditional
    77. Oro Se Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile – Traditional
    78. Spancil Hill – Traditional
    79. Raglan Road – Patrick Kavanagh
    80. On Raglan Road – Patrick Kavanagh
    81. Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies – Traditional
    82. Aura Lee – George R. Poulton
    83. Brahms’ Lullaby – Johannes Brahms
    84. Bridal Chorus (Here Comes The Bride) – Richard Wagner
    85. Can Can – Jacques Offenbach
    86. Chopsticks – Euphemia Allen
    87. Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built For Two) – Harry Dacre
    88. Deck the Halls – Traditional Welsh Carol
    89. Do-Re-Mi (The Sound of Music) – Richard Rodgers
    90. Edelweiss (The Sound of Music) – Richard Rodgers
    91. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    92. Für Elise – Ludwig van Beethoven
    93. Happy Birthday – Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill
    94. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – Felix Mendelssohn
    95. In the Good Old Summertime – George Evans and Ren Shields
    96. I’ve Been Working on the Railroad – Traditional
    97. Jingle Bells – James Lord Pierpont
    98. Joy to the World – George Frideric Handel
    99. La Cucaracha – Traditional Mexican Folk Song
    100. La Paloma – Sebastián Yradier

Thinking of learning the Tin Whistle? 

You could do a lot worse; here are some suggestions:

51. 51. • Waltons Brass Mellow Whistle – Key of D
        • Waltons Little Black Tin Whistle 
        • Feadóg Brass Traditional Irish Nickel Tin Whistle 
        • Clarke Tinwhistle SBDC Original D Whistle 

Easy Tin Whistle Songs for Beginners – Conclusion

The tin whistle has often been considered a toy rather than a real instrument by some. However, it is far from that. Just because it is small and sometimes used as a starter instrument doesn’t mean it has no value in music.

It is one of those rare instruments that you don’t have to spend a lot of hours laboring to learn to play. And, once you have begun to master it, you can play just about anything you want to play.

Practice

You need to master the basics. Learn to play a few tunes well first, and then keep expanding your repertoire. But don’t discard the easier tunes you learn. Use them as a warm-up or just for practice.

And, one last thing, practice does NOT make perfect. Good practice does. So, make your practice time worthwhile.

Until next time, let your music play.