5 best tunes to play in a Feadog D whistle

by Joao Ferreira

I have decided to write this article due to the demand of the Feadog fans for new songs and tunes to practice. It is important first to establish the difference between tunes and songs. Tune is the melody without the lyrics and the song is the melody with the lyric.

If you are looking for some basic Irish tunes on tin whistle, there are a lot of nice simple jigs that suit the tin whistle nicely and that almost every whistle player will learn at some stage.

So, I listed 5 nice tunes to practice your Feadog D Whistle:

1- Morrison’s Jig

This jig, usually just called “Morrison’s,” gets its name from the renowned Sligo-born Irish-American fiddler James Morrison who, in fact, did not write it. Our James Morrison learned the tune from a friend, an accordion player and band-mate in NYC, Tom Carmondy.

2- East at Glendart

This jig is commonly known as both “East of Glendart” and “Humours of Glendart,” so don’t bother correcting anyone who uses either title.  In the west of Cork there is a hamlet called Glendart.  The latter title concerns its “humors”. The former title uses it merely as a geographical reference.

3- Saddle the Pony

This jig, Cuir Diallaid Air An Clibin in Irish, is a member of the family of tunes which includes “Buttermilk Mary” (G). A cousin of this tune, the Donegal jig “The Pet in the Kitchen,” has a very similar B part, at least in some versions (Caoimhin Mac Aoidh).

4- Garrett Barry’s Jig

Garrett Barry was a blind Irish tin whistler from Inagh, County Clare, among the most famous players of the 19th century. Barry was born in 1847, during the Great Famine, and disease caused him to lose his sight as a young child. Today, a few dance tunes are still named after ‘the blind piper of Inagh’, notably Garrett Barry’s Jig.

5- The Rambling Pitchfork

The Rambling Pitchfork was made popular by the Felix Doran’s acetate recording in 1949, now available on the CD The Master Pipers, Volume 1 (2003). The title “Rambling Pitchfork” refers to an itinerant farm-labourer.

I believe after these 5 tunes, you will get inspired to start and get motivated to learn how to play our Feadog Whistles. Browse our website and look for the one that suits you. If you are already a player becomes our fan visiting our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to be aware of tips and further information.