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Lesson 3: Tin Whistle Low Hand Taps
It's finally time to introduce a little ornamentation into your playing. Ornamentation in traditional music if applied tastefully will enhance your playing. You will learn taps, cuts, rolls and a bunch of other really great ornaments throughout these lessons and we will begin by learning to play taps. 'Taps' are played when you want to separate two notes of the same pitch without taking a breath. This tin whistle embellishment is done by tapping the hole directly below the the note you want separated. Your finger should be relaxed and should bounce on and off the tin whistle quickly.These can be done from any note except for Low D, High D and C. They are used as an alternative from taking a breath when you need to seperate 2 notes. In the videos below you will see a strike perfromed very slowly and then up to speed.
E Tap
F# Tap
G Tap
Low Hand Tap Exercise
Good Job! You have completed your first lesson of ornamentation. Now the tin whistle is finally starting to sound like a tin whistle. Make sure you can do all the above exercises before moving on to the high hand taps.