Cuts

What You'll Learn

The cut is the most important ornament in Irish tin whistle playing. A cut adds a bright, percussive burst between two notes of the same pitch.

How a Cut Works

A cut is played by lifting a finger briefly (a fraction of a second) while playing a note, then putting it back down. The lifted finger creates a quick grace note above the main note.

You're not tonguing the cut — it's purely a fingering technique. The air flow continues uninterrupted.

Cut Exercise: On B

Play B. While holding B, lift your top hand ring finger (hole 1) for an instant and put it back down. You've played a cut on B.

B (cut) B - | B (cut) B - |

(cut) - | (cut) - |

The cut should sound like a quick chirp, not a separate note. If it sounds like a distinct note, your finger is up too long.

Cut Exercise: On A

Play A. Lift your top hand middle finger (hole 2) briefly and replace it.

A (cut) A - | A (cut) A - |

(cut) - | (cut) - |

Cut Exercise: On G

Play G. Lift your top hand index finger (hole 3) briefly and replace it.

G (cut) G - | G (cut) G - |

(cut) - | (cut) - |

Cut in a Tune

Apply cuts to the opening of "Twinkle Twinkle" where notes repeat:

B B (cut on 2nd B) A A (cut on 2nd A) G G (cut on 2nd G) A - |

Practice Tips

• The lift and replace should be one fast motion — like touching a hot stove.
• Practice cuts on each note of the scale: D, E, F#, G, A, B.
• Listen to recordings of expert players and notice where they cut. It's everywhere.

Common Mistakes

• Finger up too long — produces a separate grace note instead of a cut. Make it faster.
• Stopping the air — keep blowing steadily. The cut is in the fingers, not the breath.