Easy Tin Whistle Ornaments: Cuts, Taps, Rolls, Slides, and Vibrato

Ornaments are like the little decorations that make your tin whistle tunes sound more interesting and lively. If you're just getting started with the tin whistle, adding these small details might seem tricky, but don't worry! In this post, I'll explain each ornament step by step, so you can add them to your playing with ease.

I’ve created a YouTube video where I show exactly how to do these ornaments, so after reading this, be sure to watch the video to see these techniques in action!

What Are Tin Whistle Ornaments?

Tin whistle ornaments are quick, small notes or movements that add fun and variety to your tunes. They don’t change the main melody, but they make it sound more traditional and polished. Let’s look at five easy ornaments you can try right away!

1. Cuts

A cut is a quick note played right before a main note, making the note sound sharper and cleaner. The important thing to remember is that the cut is very short and doesn't change the melody—it's just a flick to make the note stand out.

How to do it:

Pick a note to cut, for example, a G note.

• Quickly tap a higher note (like A) with a very short movement.
• Go right back to the main note (G).
• It should be fast enough that the cut note doesn’t fully sound, just a quick blip before the main note.

2. Taps

A tap is the opposite of a cut. It’s a quick, downward flick of a lower note just after the main note is played. Taps are subtle but give your tunes a smoother, more flowing sound.

How to do it:

Play your main note, for example, a B. After playing the B, quickly tap your finger on the hole for A, just for a split second. Like the cut, the tap should be quick and light, so it adds a little extra flavor without changing the note.

3. Rolls

A roll combines a cut and a tap to create a quick ornament around a note. This makes your tunes sound more complex and traditional. Rolls are commonly used in faster tunes like jigs and reels.

How to do it:

• Play your main note (let’s say A).
• First, do a quick cut above the note (using B).
• Then, play the main note again.
• Finally, do a tap below the note (using G).

It’s like playing the main note with quick ornaments above and below. When done fast, it sounds like a roll around the note.

4. Slides

A slide is when you gradually move from one note to another, almost like gliding into the next note. Slides can make your playing sound more expressive and emotional, especially in slower tunes.

How to do it:

• Start on a lower note, for example, G.
• Slowly lift your fingers to move up to the next note (A), allowing the sound to "slide" smoothly between them.
• Slides are great for slow airs and ballads, giving them a more flowing, emotional feel.

5. Vibrato

Vibrato is a wavy sound you create by slightly changing the pitch of a note. It adds a lot of feeling to your playing and is commonly used in slower tunes to give the notes more depth.

How to do it:

• Play a note, like a high D.
• While holding the note, gently move your finger on and off one of the holes below the note, creating a slight wobbling effect in the sound.

This creates a gentle, vibrating sound, like a singer’s voice, which adds expression to your playing.

Practice Tips for Beginners

Start slow: Practice each ornament separately and slowly until you feel comfortable. Use simple tunes: Try adding these ornaments to easy tunes you already know, like Inisheer or Down By The Salley Gardens. Watch and listen: My YouTube video will show you how these ornaments look and sound in real time, so be sure to watch it as you practice.

Final Thoughts

Ornaments are what give traditional tin whistle music its charm. Once you get the hang of these simple techniques, your playing will sound more polished and expressive. Don’t forget to check out my YouTube video for a full demonstration!