How to read tin whistle sheet music
A beginners guide on how to read tin whistle sheet music tabs.
Tin whistle tabs are the "cheat codes" of the folk music world. Unlike standard sheet music, which requires learning to read notes on a staff, tabs show you exactly where to put your fingers. Most tin whistle tabs are written for a Standard D Whistle, which has six holes.
Most tabs look like a vertical or horizontal row of six circles. These circles represent the holes on your whistle. Just like the photo below.
Most tabs look like a vertical or horizontal row of six circles. These circles represent the holes on your whistle. Just like the photo below.
- ● Filled Circle: Cover the hole completely with your finger.
- ○ Empty Circle: Leave the hole open.
- ◐ Half-Filled Circle: Cover the hole only halfway (used for sharps and flats). and is something to learn after you get the basics off. Most tin whistle tabs on this site don't use half covered holes.
The OrientationTabs are usually read from left to right, just like a sentence or standard sheet music. Each vertical stack of circles represents a single note.
2. Reading the HolesThe top circle in a tab corresponds to the hole closest to the mouthpiece (your left hand, usually). The bottom circle corresponds to the hole at the end of the whistle (your right hand).
Tab SymbolFinger ActionResulting Note (on a D Whistle)● ● ● ● ● ●All holes coveredLow D
● ● ● ○ ○ ○Top three holes coveredG
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○All holes openC#
Navigating OctavesThe tin whistle has two main octaves. Since the fingering for a "Low G" and a "High G" is often identical, tabs need a way to tell you how hard to blow. - Standard Symbols: If the circles look normal, play in the lower, breathier register.
- Arrows (+): plus sign usually indicates the second octave. You’ll need to blow a bit harder to reach this note.
Limitations of TabsWhile tabs are great for getting started quickly, they have one major drawback: Rhythm. Standard tabs rarely show you how long to hold a note (quarter notes, eighth notes, etc.). But this site is different, as I provide the basic sheet music above the tab. To play a song correctly using tabs, it is best to listen to a recording of the tune while looking at the symbols so you can match the timing to the visual "fingering" guide.
