Tin Whistle
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The Tin Whistle, or "penny whistle," is an inexpensive duct flute, similar to a recorder. It is widely used in folk music and is also a popular toy. One characteristic effect of the tin whistle is vibrato : this is produced by shaking the finger over the next open hole below. In Irish folk music, the shrill sound of the tin whistle is frequently heard.
| Family |
| Woodwinds |
| Pitch range |
| Two octaves or more. |
| Material |
| Tinplate, brass. or plastic. |
| Size |
| Variable : made in various sizes to play in different keys - the B-flat tin whistle is 14 in (36 cm) long. |
| Origins |
| Instruments similar to the tin whistle have been played in most areas of the world since the Stone Ages. From the the 19th century onwards, it has been used for street music. |
| Classification |
| Aerophone: an instrument that produces its sound by the vibration of a column of air. |
| And also... |
| The block in the mouthpiece of the tin whistle used to be made of lead, but today wood or plastic are used so as not to poison the players. |
