The Penny Whistle is a simple folk instrument which has been most popular in the Celtic music of Ireland, England and Scotland. Various whistle-type instruments have been played for centuries all over the world, and must have been one of the very earliest musical instruments known to man. The modern penny whistle is derived from earlier cousins - the hornpipe, pipcorn, flageol, tin whistle and other versions - fashioned from bone, clay, reed, bamboo, ivory, wood or metal.
Penny Whistles have six tone holes and play two full octaves in a specific key.
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Whistles are generally available in the keys of Bb, C, D, Eb, F or G, a different size for each key. The popular "Generation" whistle (pictured above in blue or red) costs about $10.00 and is a favorite among some of the best players in the world, including Paddy Maloney of the Chieftans. "Generation" whistles are available from this website in the store. If you have purchased a penny whistle from Timmy, you might want to follow this link to find some excellent instruction on learning how to play it:
On-Line Penny Whistle Tutor
Timmy plays a wooden penny whistle in the key of Bb. Timmy's brother, Chris Abell, is a flutemaker who also produces very fine whistles of wood and sterling silver (also pictured above) in Asheville, North Carolina.