Tin whistle's easy. Said everyone, ever.
Not long ago I realised that, once unleashed onto the unsuspecting national schools of the country in approximately two years' time, I would at some point have to teach tin whistle to the pupils in my class. This undeniable fact filled me with fear and self-doubt. The last thing I want is for a group of 7- and 8-year-old children to laugh in my face when I make a dog's dinner of the C natural, and ultimately lose their coveted respect for the remainder of the school year. That there is the stuff of nightmares. Okay, no bother, one might think, sure didn't we all slog through a stint of the tin whistle at one time or another in primary school. Just pick one up sure, it'll all come flying back. Be grand. Um, how about no . Getting back into the ways of the whistle has proved to be one of the most back-breaking things I have ever signed myself up for. An outline of the many struggles I come face-to-face with since taking up the quintessential traditional instrument are p...