Fun and easy to play

Celtic Tinwhistle
Tinwhistles
Fun and easy to play
The Clarke Metal Kazoo
A Kazoo produces a pleasant ‘buzzing’ sound when you hum, sing or speak
into it. If you can sing or hum in tune – then you can play the Kazoo.
The Celtic
It is impossible to hear a slow air played with depth of feeling on a Tinwhistle by a true Celt, without
being drawn into, and sharing the emotions expressed by the player.
Clarke has been hand making Tinwhistles for over
160 years. They are still made the same way as
It is a member of the ‘membranophone’ musical classification which is in the
percussion instruments, as the sound is created through a stretched membrane.
This is broken down again into a sub category known as ‘Merlitons’, the sound
being created by a vibrating membrane.
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Each of the Celtic nations has its own instrumental tradition and each claims their right to specific
instruments. The Scots will assert that the bagpipes are their property; the Welsh the harp. The Irish
claim the Uillean pipes as their own. One instrument played by all, and adopted by all is the Tinwhistle.
We manufacture our Kazoo in Tinplate finished in either Silver or Gold. Its
design provides a threaded cap and neck for easy tuning and membrane
replacement. Each Kazoo is attractively gift packaged in a tube with a history
and information sheet.
When Robert Clarke invented the Tinwhistle in 1843, little did he know that it would become the
perfect wind instrument to be played universally in all the Celtic lands.
Robert Clarke made his in the mid 19th century,
using tinplate and its traditional conical bore which
gives the Clarke Tinwhistle its unique sound.
It can be heard in concert halls, broadcasts, churches and above all, especially in Ireland, in the pubs.
It is easy to learn to play, inexpensive and can be conveniently carried so as to be available for
performances on all occasions.
Supplied in the key of ‘D’, this traditionally looking CELTIC Tinwhistle is finished in green with Celtic
knot logo, comes attractively packaged in a box with tune sheet and fingering chart.
The Clarke Tinwhistle Cleaning Brush
The Clarke Tinwhistle Pouch
This attractive custom made pouch is
individually hand sewn and crafted from a
good quality, dark brown, leather look
PU material.
This custom made cleaning brush with tapered nylon
bristles helps to keep your tinwhistle clean and free
from any build up of unwanted mould or debris that
can cause decay and affect the sound.
With a gold finished press button closure
and embossed with the Clarke logo they
are available to fit either ‘C’ or ‘D’.
The Clarke Story on DVD
James Galway introduces the dramatised rags-to-riches story of Suffolk born musician and farm labourer
Robert Clarke, who in 1843 walked to Manchester, built a successful Tinwhistle factory, and eventually
returned in triumph to his village, buying the house of the squire who sacked him. The DVD features
renowned international Tinwhistle players including Bill Ochs (USA), Robert Sithole (South Africa) and
Mary Bergin (Ireland). It includes more than 45 minutes of audio extras and slide shows.
The Clarke Tinwhistle Company
ESTABLISHED 1843
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Tel: +44 (0)1892 837433
Email: [email protected]
www.clarketinwhistle.com
MADE IN ENGLAND SINCE 1843
www.clarketinwhistle.com
The Original Tinwhistle
The Sweetone Tinwhistle
The Meg Tinwhistle
The Original
The Sweetone
The Meg
The favourite instrument of distinguished Tinwhistle players ever since 1843, this Clarke Tinwhistle can be considered
the Stradivarius of Tinwhistles. The instrument is still made of tin-plate with a wooden mouthpiece.
After 170 years of continuous production of the famous Original Tinwhistle, in 1996 the company
produced a brand new type of Tinwhistle, the SWEETONE.
Delicate operations still continue to be done by hand and, most importantly, Robert Clarke’s traditional conical bore
has been retained to give the instrument its unique sound, called ‘chiff’. No other Tinwhistle has the same
degree of ‘chiff’ as a Clarke.
This was the first conical bore Tinwhistle to be made with a plastic mouthpiece, handmade in the
UK using quality raw materials; the mouthpiece is moulded using ABS PC blend. This combined
with modern technology and our traditional workmanship gives it a clear and accurate tone.
In 1843 Robert Clarke invented the Tinwhistle. The first
ones he manufactured were called Megs. Meg is the
Victorian word for a halfpenny and that is precisely what
Robert’s Tinwhistle cost to buy.
The tone of the Clarke Tinwhistle is clear and flute-like, but it is also described as ‘crisp and responsive’ by Bill Ochs,
and ‘husky and sensual’ by Mary Bergin. All these descriptions add up to ‘chiff’ – what Tommy Makem calls
‘The great Clarke tone’. This is what makes a Clarke Tinwhistle unique.
The Tinwhistle is a simple, traditional musical instrument; ideal for popular and folk music but it
is also suitable for a much wider musical repertoire. It is just as good for solo playing as in ensemble
with other musical instruments, and can be played by children, youth or adults alike.
In making such an inexpensive real musical instrument,
Robert brought affordable music to the masses and,
in no time, his instruments were becoming available
worldwide.
The introduction of the MEG is a result of combining the
design of our popular Sweetone range with budget raw
materials and modified production process.
Avaiable in the keys of ‘C’ and ‘D’.
Tutorial Gift Set
Teach yourself the Tinwhistle with this comprehensive book,
CD and Original 'D' Tinwhistle. For players of all levels.
80 pages packed with tunes, tips and ‘Tinwhistle’ lore.
The tonal characteristics, although slightly different from
those of the Sweetone, still achieve the feel and quality
of the famous Clarke sound.
74 minutes of Jigs, Reels, Fife Tunes, Highland Flings and lots more.
Avaiable in the key of ‘D’.
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Tutorials
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Clarke History Book
Clarke Tutor Book with CD
The second edition of Norman Dannatt’s
story of the Clarke Tinwhistle. When
Robert Clarke invented
his Tinwhistle in 1843,
little did he know that
his humble little instrument was destined to
become just about
the most popular
player of tunes in the
whole Folk Music
World.
“The best whistle tutorial on the planet,” writes Dale Wisely of the Chiff and
Fipple website. The age-old sounds of Ireland, England, Scotland and early
America come to life with this remarkable book and CD for tin whistlers of
all levels. No previous musical training is necessary. The lessons are so clear
and easy to follow that a complete beginner can learn to play a simple tune
at first sitting. Then, through a specially selected series of folk tunes, beginners
are carefully guided through all the basics of playing one step at a time.
Tutor Book with CD for the Beginner
This Tinwhistle Tutor Course gives beginners full progressive tuition in playing
the Tinwhistle and includes a demonstration CD.
This method makes it possible to learn this instrument quickly and easily. The
course is especially suitable for group and individual music students as well
as for self instruction. Well known songs from all over the world with clear
notation and helpful hints ensure fun while learning to play.
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