Learn the Irish Whistle

Why you need to learn the Irish Whistle

Irish music is, quite literally, a living entity. It is much larger than any one person or group of people. It is a tradition kept alive by countless musicians and dancers throughout history, not just of Ireland, but from the world over. There are elements of it that speak to just about everyone, regardless of their nationality or background. Just as it has always been, the traditions of Irish music are communicated through the interactions of the people who participate in it. In fact, Irish music requires that you participate, not just to keep itself alive, but also to sustain those who interact within its culture; to feed those who are a part of it, both emotionally and spriritually. What those who participate in the customs of Irish music put into it, take away that much and more. It fulfils the promise of a richer life and more robust soul. It isn't too unlike a religion that way.

The single best tradition that Irish music has, it is that it is available to everyone. No one is excluded. Throughout the history or Ireland and it's music, is the foundation of inclusion and participation. There is no way that the music we love so much now would have survived had there not been many people involved. The oral customs associated with passing a tune down over the years, and modifying it slightly to suit each musician, is a defining characteristic. Irish music is a living history, kept alive by the people who play the music.

So what does all that have to do with you? If Ireland or it's music have spoken to you in any way at all in your lifetime, then you must participate. Listening is one form of participation, but you can become more involved if you want to. In fact, you are welcome and encouraged to. Irish music is available to anybody and the best way to start is to learn to play the whistle.

I started two years ago when I was looking for some artistic outlet in my life. As a scientist, I spend most of my time in my head, thinking and solving problems. I never had any idea that I could be musician, but I wanted to try and I was reluctant to take on a very complicated instrument. Then, one day, as I was watching Star Trek (as all nerds do), I saw the episode where Capt. Picard played an alien instrument that looked a lot like a whistle (I found out later it was). I figured I could learn that, it looked simple enough and I knew I liked Irish music, so I bought a Generation whistle for $10.50 and found a teacher. That started a new path for me that I am eternally grateful to be on. It fills my soul in ways that a more formal religion never could.

Learning to play the Irish whistle enabled me to explore the heritage of Irish music and take my place in its culture. Now, I am contributing (in my own small way) to something much larger than myself and taking my place among the thousands, maybe millions, of people who keep alive the living tradition of Irish music.