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Whistle for Beginners

Learn the Basics of Playing the Whistle

The Whistle for Beginners course is aimed at the absolute beginner who wants to start the journey to becoming a confident player.

The fundamentals are covered from tuning the whistle to basic notes and music, culminating in several tunes that will allow you to say that you “Can play the Whistle”.

Stop, rewind and replay at any time and learn at your own pace.

Whistle on manuscript
Calum MacCrimmon

Your Tutor - Calum MacCrimmon

Calum MacCrimmon is a whistle player, piper and tutor based in Glasgow.  Perhaps best known as a founding member of the multi award winning folk band Breabach, he additionally performs and writes with groups such as Tryst, Man’s Ruin, Grit Orchestra, Seudan and The Unusual Suspects.  Calum received a nomination for Composer of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2012 – revered for tunes such as ‘Knees Up in Hanoi’ and ‘Under the Influence’.

Lessons in the Course

Click on a lesson to be taken to it (you must be a subscriber)

Calum MacCrimmon
Whistle

Lesson 1. Introduction to the Whistle

In this first lesson, Calum introduces you to the instrument and goes over the fundamentals to playing the whistle.   This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login

Calum MacCrimmon
Whistle

Lesson 2. Hot Cross Buns

In the next lesson, Calum teaches a very simple tune to gain further understanding of the whistle.   This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login

5 whistle players
Whistle

Lesson 3. The Britches with the Stitches

Calum continues the “Whistle for Beginners” course with a simple melody – the Britches with the Stitches, developing what has already been learned.   This Post is only available to subscribed members.

Whistles
Whistle

Lesson 4. The Upper Octave

Calum looks at the only note not covered yet, before moving on to the higher notes in the Upper Octave.   This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login

Whistle on manuscript
Whistle

Lesson 5. I Bhi Ada

Calum moves onto a Gaelic piece called “I Bhi Ada” incorporating all the elements previously learned, and adding in some newer ideas.   This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login

Calum MacCrimmon
Whistle

Lesson 6. Cuts, Rolls & Pats

Calum spends some time going over some techniques that can be utilised to add colour and variety to your playing.   This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login

manuscript
Whistle

Lesson 7. Lament for Red John

Calum focuses this lesson on a lovely lament called Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh; translated as the Lament for John of the Red Hair.   This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login

Calum MacCrimmon
Whistle

Lesson 8. Mo Nighean Donn

Calum looks at a lovely air that translates from Gaelic to “My Beautiful Girl”.   This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login

Red Treble Clef
Whistle

Lesson 9. Cailin Mo Rùin-Sa

Calum looks at a lovely Gaelic waltz meaning “The Maid I Adore”.   This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login

Guitar Notes
Whistle

Lesson 10. Tha Mi Sgìth

Calum teaches a Gaelic Song in the key of A Minor this time, which translates as “I am weary”. It is also known as Cutting Bracken and sits very nicely on the

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