The Penny Whistle Book (Paperback)

by Robin Williamson (Author) "The Generation D whistle consists of a cylindrical metal tube pierced with six finger holes, and has a plastic mouth piece at one end..." (more)
Key Phrases: balance finger, penny whistle, Brian Boru, Thomas Connelan

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A complete guide to the pennywhistle for beginning to advanced players using a new systematic approach to fingering. Contains information on modal playing and 56 penny whistle tunes. Superb as a beginner’s text, also of great use to the advanced player looking for additional material.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation; First Edition edition (December 31, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825601908
• ISBN-13: 978-0825601903
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #40,533 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #11 in	Books > Entertainment > Music > Instruments & Performers > Woodwinds
  #26 in	Books > Entertainment > Music > Business

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A continuing delight, December 21, 2002

By	Audrey Nickel "An Ghaeilge Abú!" (Mount Hermon, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Many years ago (more years than I care to count!), I wandered into a small music store, cash poor, but badly wanting an instrument to play. I emerged a half hour later with a Generation Penny Whistle and a copy of this book, both of which have since been beloved companions on a long and happy musical journey. I have since owned many penny whistle tutors and tune books, but this one remains my fast favorite.

Williamson presents basic music reading succinctly, and in a way that is easy for even beginning music readers to understand, right at the beginning of the book. Theory then makes way for a boatload of tunes designed to build technique and repetoire simultaneously. Unlike other tutors, which tend to use fairly boring, childish tunes to teach basic technique ("Mary Had a Little Lamb" and the like), Williamson moves right into the lovely music of the British Isles (a nice bonus for the adult learner, who most likely is NOT interested in learning to play another version of "Mary Had a Little Lamb"!). By the time you've worked your way through the book, you will not only have a good grasp of penny whistle technique, you will have a nice collection of tunes under your belt.

Another nice facet of this book is that it doesn't concentrate exclusively on the music of Ireland. Much as I love Irish music, the penny whistle is suitable for so much more, and Williamson's nice collection of airs, song tunes, jigs, reels, hornpipes, harp and fiddle tunes, Morris tunes and country dance tunes from England, Scotland, Wales, America and (yes) Ireland is a satisfying addition to the body of work for this instrument that I find myself returning to again and again. His obvious passion for the music (not to mention the lovely illustrations!) is also a bonus.

Highly recommended.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellant Method for Adults Wanting to Learn Music, February 4, 2000

By	Thomas V Tugman (Kansas, USA) - See all my reviews

I am a trained musician and a big fan of Robin Williamson, he is a rare and gifted artist and muse. I have used his Pennywhistle Book for teaching adults new to playing a musical instrument. This book has it all, it takes only a few pages to introduce a student how to read and count musical notation then it moves instantly into tunes. Most beginning methods start with Row Row Row yer Boat or Lightly Row, standard repertoire, I know, but Mr. Williamson has one playing beautiful Irish airs and jigs in the first week of practice. Add to this, the total investment of a book and penny whistle is only about $20, and you have an excellant and fun method guaranteed to give adults and teenagers a great way to learn how to play music.

I have also used this book for teaching students of the saxophone and flute, because his simple melodies are so appealing to the new musician. I think this book and its approach should be a standard adopted by other beginning methods.

I also love the arrangements, his guitar chords are perfect, and the book has been a standard source of irish melodies for me over the years.

What more can I say, but thank you Mr. Williamson for a great book, and for your body of musical works. You are truely a Rennaissance Man.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An old favorite, April 26, 2003

By	Tom Sackett (Seattle, wa USA) - See all my reviews

Like one of the previous reviewers, I first picked up this book a long, long time ago, shortly after it came out. It has remained one of my favorite books ever since. It is both a great way to learn to the play the instrument and a great introduction to the music of the British isles. Williamson's comments on the tunes help the reader understand the basics of Celtic music and the way in which the tunes moved from one country to another.

One shortcoming of the book is that Williamson doesn't give a lot of information on how to use phrasing, rhythm and ornamentation to develop a real style. When I listen to recordings of Irish penny whistle players, I'm always surprised by how different their playing sounds from my own. The Penny Whistle Book is a great place to start, but you'll need to look beyond the book to learn how to achieve the sound you want.