# Tin Whistle - Pennywhistle — Authentic Irish High-D Whistle

> Virtual Irish tin whistle with MIDI support for musicians. (iPhone/iPad app by Michael Eskin.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tin-whistle-pennywhistle/id1275232622 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Michael Eskin](https://appshunter.io/developer/342739369)
- Category: Music, Education
- Price: $0.99
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 10.0 · 32 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-08-28
- Data updated: 2026-09-03
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tin-whistle-pennywhistle/id1275232622/reviews.md

## What is Tin Whistle?

Tin Whistle is an easy to play and authentic sounding High-D Irish Tin Whistle / Pennywhistle!  It can also be played from a MIDI chanter, keyboard, or other MIDI apps.

The instrument is commonly used in Traditional Irish Music.

The sounds are based on per-note samples from my own whistle collection.

Touch the notes on the whistle to play.

Like a real tin whistle, only one note may be played at a time.

Touch the grey blocks next to the whistle to jump to the second octave.

Touch the "?" to show/hide the labels.

Touch the "i" to bring up the setting page where you can set the MIDI channel and bottom note.

MIDI Chanter control for the Fagerström Uilleann Technopipes and other MIDI chanters:

Connect your MIDI chanter or keyboard first to your iPhone using a hardware MIDI interface, then launch Tin Whistle

MIDI range is chromatic over the complete two-octave range of the instrument.

Use the "Channel" control to set your controller's output MIDI channel.

Use the "Use Lowest Note Setting" switch setting to enable / disable the bottom note offset for use with MIDI keyboards and chanters. 

When OFF, uses D3 (MIDI Note 62). This is best for use with keyboards.

When ON, set the lowest MIDI note (default is for the Fagerström Uilleann Technopipes 69 - A3) to match your MIDI chanter lowest note. Range is from MIDI note 55 to 79.

MIDI pitch bend response is based on the setting of the "Pitchbend Semitones" slider. Range is from 0 to 12 semitones. Default is 2 semitones.

Also works as a sound module for other MIDI file player apps.

## Key features

- Authentic High-D Irish Tin Whistle sound
- Touch-based note input
- MIDI chanter and keyboard support
- Adjustable MIDI settings (channel, bottom note)
- Two-octave chromatic range
- Pitch bend control

## Chart rankings

- #171 in Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (4 of 4)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tin-whistle-pennywhistle/id1275232622/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Lovely

*2021-01-31*

This has a lovely sound. Not sure what other reviewer’s problem is. Perhaps he’s expecting authentic sounds from his iPhone speaker? Appmaker’s response to that review mentions an iPad version that facilitates correct fingering, but I can’t see the app in his portfolio. Even so. Lovely little app. Wish it had AU3 compatibility, but there are ways round that, such as screen recording and ripping the audio from resulting file.

### 1/5 — Disappointing

*2020-03-30*

Very disappointed with this. It is not a learning tool at all.

### 1/5 — Don’t get this!

*2019-07-19*

Terrible! I’m sorry I spent money on this!!

### 1/5 — Utter garbage

*2017-09-26*

I don’t think the author has ever seen a whistle let alone played one.  It works like a keyboard, so you can’t actually use whistle fingering.  The buttons are too small to play it with more than one finger, and you can’t turn off the chromatic scale
which wastes even more space.  Oh, and it sounds like the recorder voice from an 80s monophonic childrens toy keyboard.

Without a doubt the worst £0.99 I’ve ever spent.  It doesn’t even achieve “gimmick” status.  It’s worthless.

**Developer response:** I've been playing and teaching whistle for nearly 20 years as well as been on several Oscar nominated soundtracks so I'll ignore your first rant. The iPhone hardware only supports 5 simultaneous touches so it’s impossible to do proper whistle fingerings, which would require at least 7, six for the finger holes and one to switch the octave. If you want real whistle fingerings, then you should be considering the iPad version, this is the best that is possible on an iPhone. The sounds are per note samples from a very nice high end whistle.

## Frequently asked questions about Tin Whistle

### What is Tin Whistle?

Tin Whistle is a virtual instrument app that simulates the sound and playability of an authentic High-D Irish Tin Whistle. It allows users to play notes by touching them on the screen and supports MIDI input from external devices.

### How do I play Tin Whistle?

You can play Tin Whistle by touching the notes displayed on the virtual whistle. For more advanced control, you can connect a MIDI chanter or keyboard to your iPhone using a hardware MIDI interface.

### Does Tin Whistle support MIDI devices?

Yes, Tin Whistle fully supports MIDI chanter and keyboard input. You can connect your MIDI controller via a hardware interface and adjust settings like MIDI channel and bottom note within the app.

### What is the price of Tin Whistle?

Tin Whistle is a paid app, available for $0.99. This one-time purchase grants you access to all its features and authentic Irish tin whistle sounds.

### What devices is Tin Whistle compatible with?

Tin Whistle is designed for iPhone and iPod devices. It requires iOS 4.3 or later and was last updated on July 30, 2018, with version 2.5.

### Is Tin Whistle suitable for beginners?

Yes, Tin Whistle is described as easy to play, making it suitable for beginners interested in exploring the sound of the tin whistle. The on-screen labels can also be shown or hidden for assistance.

### Does Tin Whistle have ads?

No, Tin Whistle does not contain advertisements. As a paid application, it offers an uninterrupted musical experience without any ad interruptions.

### What is the age rating for Tin Whistle?

Tin Whistle has an age rating of 4+. This indicates it is suitable for children and adults alike, offering a straightforward and enjoyable musical experience.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.5 — 2018-07-30

This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included.

Bug fixes and performance improvements.

### 2.4 — 2018-06-26

Sound quality improvements and bug fixes.

### 2.3 — 2018-06-19

MIDI improvements and new features:

IImplemented a better polyphonic to monophonic conversion algorithm based on most recent played notes. This makes the ampp work much better with keyboards and MIDI file players. Thank you Jesse Chappell (ThumbJam developer) for the suggestion.

Touch the "i" to bring up the setting page where you can set the MIDI channel and bottom note.

MIDI Chanter control for the Fagerström Uilleann Technopipes and other MIDI chanters:

Connect your MIDI chanter first to your iPhone using a hardware MIDI interface, then launch Tin Whistle

MIDI range is chromatic over the complete two-octave range of the instrument.

Use the "Channel" control to set your controller's output MIDI channel.

Use the "Use Lowest Note Setting" switch setting to enable / disable the bottom note offset for use with MIDI keyboards and chanters. 

When OFF, uses D3 (MIDI Note 62). This is best for use with keyboards.

When ON, set the lowest MIDI note (default is for the Fagerström Uilleann Technopipes 69 - A3) to match your MIDI chanter. Range is from MIDI note 55 to 79.

Pitch bend response is based on the setting of the "Pitchbend Semitones" slider. Range is from 0 to 12 semitones. Default is 2 semitones.

Also works as a sound module for other MIDI file player apps.

### 2.2 — 2018-06-14

More robust support for using the app as a sound module with other MIDI file player apps.

### 2.1.1 — 2018-06-12

Major new feature: MIDI Control

MIDI Chanter control now supported for the Fagerstrom Uilleann Technopipes and other MIDI chanters

Connect your MIDI chanter first to your iPhone using a hardware MIDI interface, then launch Tin Whistle

Use the MIDI controls to set the MIDI receive channel and lowest MIDI note (default is for the Fagerstrom Uilleann Technopipes 69 - A3) for your MIDI chanter. Range is from 55 to 79.

MIDI pitch bend response is based on a two semitone maximum bend range.

Bug fix:

Fixed issue with MIDI Controllers that send Note-On events with velocity zero instead of sending Note-Off events.

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## More apps by Michael Eskin

- [Concertina - Anglo Concertina](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/concertina-anglo-concertina/id343270484)
- [Regulators for Uilleann Pipes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/regulators-for-uilleann-pipes/id348529289)
- [JustDrones - Tunable Just Intonation Drones](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/justdrones-tunable-just-intonation-drones/id348861427)
- [Englitina - English Concertina](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/englitina-english-concertina/id349451473)
- [Uilleann - Pocket Irish Pipes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uilleann-pocket-irish-pipes/id353684178)
- [Canntina - MacCann Concertina](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canntina-maccann-concertina/id360579654)

All apps by Michael Eskin: https://appshunter.io/developer/342739369

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-03.*