Traditional Carol Tunes for Christmas on Tin Whistle

Learn to play eight timeless Christmas carols in the Irish tradition with Kirsten Allstaff on tin whistle. Whether you play whistle, flute, fiddle, concertina, banjo — or any other instrument, these lessons and backing tracks are suitable for everyone who loves the magic of the season.

This course is beautifully structured for all levels.
Beginner-friendly carols include:

Silent Night
Noel Nouvelet
O Come O Come Emmanuel
The Sussex Carol
The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
These slow, familiar melodies make ear-learning easy and enjoyable, even for those new to the approach.

The more advanced carols — Greensleeves, The Wexford Carol, and The Coventry Carol — introduce half-holing and key work, offering a gentle way to grow confidence with chromatic notes on the whistle or keyless flute.

You’ll develop:

Learning by ear
Ornamentation for slow airs
Tone, breathing, and phrasing
Half-holing and key techniques
A signature feature of this course is the classical guitar play-along backing, beautifully performed by Chris Wood. His arrangements intentionally mimic the warmth, resonance, and rolling patterns of the Irish harp, creating an atmospheric foundation that feels both festive and deeply traditional.

By the end, you’ll have a full set of eight carols ready to play for family and friends — complete with harp-like guitar accompaniments — and a deeper connection to the rich histories behind them.