How to Select a Beginner's Set of Tinwhistles Based on Personality Type
Step 1. What's your whistle personality?
Which of the following clusters of statements do you agree with most?:
Cluster T:
I love traditional Celtic music.
Irish music is best played in pubs.
I like the Chieftains and Mary Bergin.
I am Irish (or my sex life is Irish-like)
Cluster F:
I like to be different.
I am not a traditionalist.
I like "funky."
People often tell me my clothes are weird.
Cluster M:
I like Joannie Madden's solo cd(s).
The whistle should be used more for other kinds of music (besides Irish).
I tend to like "mellow."
I say "dude" sometimes (Or I used to say "dude.")
Cluster I:
I am interested in new & modern things
My computer is less than 18 months old.
I am not allergic to plastic.
I have a microchip implanted in my head.
Step 2: Find your whistle personality
Once you have decided which of the following clusters sounds most like you, determine your whistle personality type:
Cluster T: Traditional
Cluster F: Funky
Cluster M: Mellow
Cluster I: Innovative
Step 3: Find your whistles
Select a D, C, and Bb whistle from the following table:
|
Personality |
D |
C |
Bb |
|
Traditional |
1. Feadog 2. Clarke 3. Generation (at your own risk)* |
Don't buy a C. Buy a Eb Generation (at your own risk) |
Generation
|
|
Funky |
1. Perri or 2. Little Black Whistle (Perri is funkier) 3. SweeTone in a bright color |
SweeTone in another bright color |
Generation or Susato |
|
Mellow |
1. Little Black Whistle 2. Perri 3. SweeTone
|
Walton's/ Soodlum's/ Golden Tone SweeTone
|
Shaw or Susato |
|
Innovative |
SweeTone |
SweeTone |
Susato |
|
Consider a Susato Set |
|||
*With the exception of Bb and F, I don't recommend Generation whistles. Although favored by traditionalists I admire and respect, Generation D whistles have done poorly in our poll and almost everyone agrees that there are quality control issues.