Learn to play the penny-whistle aka tin whistle, Irish whistle (please note, it is not a recorder). Following on from the sold out workshop at Bristol Folk House in March 2026, we will be extending our whistle playing by learning lots of great session tunes, practising our ornamentation and having lots of fun along the way.
Please bring along your own key of D whistle. Whistle TAB will be given to you. You will learn by ear, copying, listening, discussing also by using TAB.
This course is suitable for "improvers". When you become more adept, please play at our Bristol Folk House Monday evening Irish traditional music sessions. If you do so, you will acquire useful performance skills and build your confidence.
Whistle requires manual dexterity and control of breathing which is learned by practicing. If any students do not like noise, have specific learning needs which may make learning the whistle less straightforward, concentration or control issues, please let the tutor know beforehand so they can help and advise. In some cases they may benefit from having their own helper present to assist them.
All learners are required to bring along their own penny-whistle, as seen at all Irish sessions, key of D (not a "low whistle", not a recorder).
Please get in touch if you have any additional needs that would be helpful for us to know about, and we will try to arrange adjustments for you to better access the workshop. If you need to bring a carer with you, please let us know in advance so we can ensure there is enough space. Email us on admin@bristolfolkhouse.co.uk or call us on 01179262987.
Please note: All 10, and 12 week courses have a half term break in the middle. For term dates please visit our Contact us page. We are not open on bank holiday Mondays and any class that falls on these days will be made up at the end of term.
Fees
Refunds
Please see full terms and conditions for more information.
Latecomer
If a course has already started, please call the office as it may be possible to join after the start date. This may only be possible if the course is not already full, if it is not disruptive for the other students and you are aware that you have missed a percentage of the course and the tutor will not have time to catch you up. This will be at discretion of the Folk House. We run our courses termly, so it might be best to start at the beginning of the course.
Levels
Access/ Parking