Instrument: Irish Tin Whistle (Penny Whistle)
Orchestra Section: Wind (aerophone)
Brand: Sondery
Purchased: December 27, 2024
Cost: $24, pack of 2
I was looking for something small to put in my pocket as a clown that could be comically childish. I started out trying to find the flute Willy Wonka played. I wasn’t successful, but I kept being guided toward penny whistles and Irish tin whistles.
These are the instruments often heard in Celtic music, and the famously familiar song “Concerning Hobbits ” in the movie The Lord of the Rings.
Since my dog, Gwinn, is notorious for chewing on household items, I decided to try something less destructible. I got a set of whistles in the key of C & D since it seemed many songs focused on one key or the other. I paid $24 for both, which is far more than the name “penny whistle” suggests. Upon its arrival, I was surprised to discover that the notes could change octaves based on how hard I blew into the mouthpiece. It’s a bit difficult to get the hang of, and most of my focus at the time was on learning to play the piano.
