How to Play Seikilos Epitaph on the Tin Whistle
D major · 6/8 · 72 BPM · Song · Beginner
Seikilos Epitaph is a song you can learn on the tin whistle, set in D major (6/8, around 72 beats per minute). It uses 8 distinct notes, ranging from E5 up to E6 — all within the D whistle’s range.
The Seikilos epitaph — the oldest complete song with notation that still exists. Transposed up an octave from the usual modern transcription so it sits in the D whistle's first and second octave (E5–E6). Short, mostly stepwise, one opening leap (A to E). 'While you live, shine.'
The tin whistle notes for Seikilos Epitaph start A E E C# D E D C# D E D C#… Full sequence below.
The interactive sheet music shows a fingering chart under every note. Press Play this tune to play along while the app listens to your microphone and grades every note, or print a clean copy of the score.
Tin whistle notes
On a D tin whistle, play Seikilos Epitaph with these notes in order. Same letter in a higher octave uses the same fingering — overblow for the second register.
A E E C# D E D C# D E D C# B A B G A C# E D C# D C# A B G A C# B D E C# A A A F# E
Sheet music
ABC notation
X:1 T:Seikilos Epitaph M:6/8 L:1/8 Q:3/8=48 K:D A e2 e3 | cde d3 | c2 d edc | B A2 B G2 | Acedcd | c A2 B G2 | AcBdec | A A2 AFE |]
Fingering chart
Seikilos Epitaph uses these notes on the D tin whistle: E5, F#5, G5, A5, B5, C#6, D6, E6.
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