Tephellah,
For first tune/song I'd suggest one of two songs.
- Star of County Down (in E Dorian - G key signature and D - whistle)
- Whiskey in the Jar (AKA: Gilgara Mountain)
Both are slow, both have melodies that your beginning whistler might recognize. Both are songs that your beginers may be able to sing, which will help them learn the melody. They are both relatively slow tunes and have notes that repeat. Notes that repeat in the tune can be opportunities for you beginners to learn a little ornamentation.
These were 2 of the first 10 songs I learned.
You might also want to give them tune samples (at the end of the class) of each type of tune. Give them the tune notation (with tablature) and then play it for them so the recognize it. Here some of my suggestions.
- Reel(s): The Banshee
- Jig: Irish Washerwoman
- Double Jig: Road to Lisdoonvarna
- Hornpipe: Red Haired Boy. (Some play this as a reel some as a hornpipe)
- Slow Air: Eamonn a Chnoic (Ned of the Hills)
- Long Slow Air: Tabhair dom do Lamh
If you need a copy of Star of County Down for a D whistle, drop me a line and I can e-mail you the GIF.
Hope this helps and ...
_________________
Enjoy Your Music,<br><br><b>Lee Marsh</b><br>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: LeeMarsh on 2001-06-29 13:01 ]</font>