Explore Scales, Arpeggios & Cross-Fingerings for Any Key
Legend
Closed
Open
Half-holed
Part of selected scale
Outside selected scale
May not play on all whistles
Tips
Whistle Key vs Playable Key
Your whistle's key determines its lowest note. The playable key shows you how to play that scale on the selected whistle.
Viewing Accidentals
To see chromatic notes outside the selected scale, toggle the "Show all notes" option.
About Alternate Fingerings
When you click on a fingering chart with a blue border on the right, you'll see alternative ways to play the same note. These cross-fingerings are useful for:
Playing smoothly between notes
Creating different tone colors
Navigating difficult passages
Note: Multiple cross-fingerings are shown because different whistles may need different fingerings to play in tune.
Only Easy Scales
Limit scales to those playable with diatonic notes and cross-fingered C natural (on a D whistle) by toggling the "Only easy scales" option.
Exploring Scales
You can try selecting different whistles keys for the same scale to find a comfortable playing range and tonal quality.
Each note in the scale is labeled within its scale degree: m2 = minor 2nd, M2 = major 2nd, etc.
Scale Definitions
Major Scale Modes
Ionian (Major): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 - The standard major scale
Dorian: Major scale with b3 and b7
Phrygian: Major scale with b2, b3, b6, and b7
Lydian: Major scale with #4
Mixolydian: Major scale with b7
Aeolian (Natural Minor): Major scale with b3, b6, and b7
Locrian: Major scale with b2, b3, b5, b6, and b7
Pentatonic Scales
Major Pentatonic: Major scale without 4 and 7 (1, 2, 3, 5, 6)
Minor Pentatonic: Minor scale without 2 and 6 (1, b3, 4, 5, b7)
Scottish Pentatonic: Major scale with 4 but no 3 and 7 (1, 2, 4, 5, 6)
Blues Scales
Major Blues: Major pentatonic with added b3 (1, 2, b3, 3, 5, 6)
Minor Blues: Minor pentatonic with added #4 (1, b3, 4, #4, 5, b7)
Diminished Scales
Half-Whole Diminished: 8-note scale alternating half and whole steps
Whole-Half Diminished: 8-note scale alternating whole and half steps
Bebop Scales
Major Bebop: Major scale with added b7 between 6 and 7
Minor Bebop: Minor scale with added 7 between b7 and root
Dominant Bebop: Dominant 7th scale with added major 7
Exotic Scales
Spanish Gipsy (Phrygian Dominant): Minor scale with major 3 (1, b2, 3, 4, 5, b6, b7)
Byzantine (Flamenco): Major scale with b2 and b6 (1, b2, 3, 4, 5, b6, 7)
Fingering Chart
Support This Project
If this tool has helped you learn tin whistle, consider supporting continued development:
Arpeggio & Progression Explorer
About Lonnie
I'm a full-time web developer, but I've played the tin whistle for nearly two decades in two different folk bands. I built this tool to help myself branch out and explore the instrument more deeply. I hope it helps you as much as it's helped me!
