Tin whistle part of several folk traditions. Whistles are a prevalent starting instrument in English traditional music, Scottish traditional music and Irish traditional music, since they are often cheap (under US$10), relatively easy to start with (no tricky embouchure such as found with the flute), and the fingerings are nearly identical to those on the traditional six holed flute (Irish flute, baroque flute). The tin whistle is a good starting instrument to learn the uilleann pipes, which has similar finger technique, range of notes and repertoire. The tin whistle is the most popular instrument in Irish traditional music today. In recent years
Tin whistle groups, especially popular during the American folk music revival. In 1973, Paddy Moloney (of The Chieftains) and Sean Potts released the album "Tin Whistles", which helped to popularise the tin whistle in particular, and Irish music in general. Mary Bergin's "Feadóga Stáin" (1979) and "Feadóga Stáin 2" (1993) were similarly influential. Other notable players include Carmel Gunning, Micho Russell, Joanie Madden, Brian Finnegan, and Seán Ryan. Many traditional pipers and flute players also play the whistle to a high standard. Festy Conlon is considered by some to be the best slow air player. Award-winning singer and musician Julie Fowlis recorded