I’m Mark, I have a Freeman Gen D, a PVC I made myself, and two Clarke Woodstocks (C and a D) as well.
Pretty much a beginner. Maybe 2 months. I’m not going to e one of those “OMG I can’t believe you’ve only been playing three days” kind of prodigies, guaranteed. I have to work for it. Also have recently bought a Tipple flute. Kinda just…“happened.”
working on The Connaughtman’s Rambles, Garret Barry’s, Banish Misfortune, My darling asleep. Finding other tunes float into my head as I play that I mess around with too. Really trying to get the hang of the fiddly bits. Strangely, my cranns are better than my rolls. I always thought cranns were the holy grail. Ah well. I just got Grey Larsen’s book. Very Excited to start with some of the exercises.
If only there were more hours in the day, and more years in a lifetime. Great community here, thanks for being part of it all, y’all!
Been whistling for just on 2 years. Migrated from harmonica (started 50plus years ago) due to sore lips in long sessions, Play mostly Low D’s, Dixons, Susato Kildare, Kerry Songbird, waiting for a Garvie Low D in Cocobola. Have a selection of High whistles, Gen C & D, Clarke Sweetone D, Clare C, Freeman Gen Bb, Sindt A, Dixon G and various home made Low F’s.
Currently working on, The Wild Geese, Scarborough Fair, Road to Lisdunvarna.
This April will mark 2 years of playing them. Looking forward to making more too when spring rolls around again. Speaking of rolls, that’s what I’ve been working on lately, along with Nora Criona and Rolling in the Ryegrass.
Hello, all! I’ve been whistling for about three weeks. Shortly before Christmas I picked up a Feadóg brass D and a Clarke Original D, along with the Ochs book and CD. I’ve been working my way through that in the evenings, along with figuring out a few Christmas carols and some other simple tunes, like “Happy Birthday” so I could surprise a friend with it. It’s been great fun so far, and I’m looking forward to learning more tunes, developing my technique, and playing a bit of ITM along with anything else that sounds good on whistle!
Hello. I’m 24 (and female, because people will undoubtedly think I’m a man) from SW England. I’ve always been primarily an oboeist but dabbled in guitar. Waiting for my first tin whistle to arrive from amazon (was supposed to be yesterday, worked myself into a fever pitch of excitement only for it to not come!) - a green Clarke Sweetone D. I have spent the last few days obsessing over tin whistles. I hope I’m not hopelessly rubbish!
I don’t believe obsessing over something as incredibly cool as tin whistles (or any other musical instrument, for that matter) could possibly make anyone rubbish. (hope i’m using the term correctly–I’m a yank).
Hi. and Happy new year to all..
My name is Phil from Wales. Iv’e been playing about a year
mostly slower tunes.. I had the Bill Ochs book for a xmas pressy
as you can see…
Tunes..
The Quaker’s Wife.
Tarmon’s Polka.
Tralee Jail.
Nora Criona.
The Parting Glass.
The Twisting of the Hayrope.
If i can sort out my rhythm & timing i’ll be happy… BYE..
Greetings. I’m Curtis in Juneau, Alaska. I was a bass player turned drummer. Then I moved to Alaska and had to leave the drums behind. I had to find something to scratch my musical itch and so I picked up a Faedog from a local book store two years ago. Then a few other whistles shortly after. I’m slow and steady in the learning process, but I’m completely in love with it. I’ve been experimenting for the last year with designing and finally have some aluminum whistles I think are pretty decent. In fact, I’m going to tour one here shortly, so send me a message if you’re interested in joining the tour.
I’m currently working on:
-The Cat’s Meow
-Caribou Reel
-Peacock’s Feathers *There used to be a youtube video of a guy doing an amazing rendition of it on a copeland D. Anybody know what I’m talking about? The video is gone now but I’d love to find out where to learn that version of it.
Gary in Trenton, Ontario Canada … Almost a year of semi serious whistle playing. Play guitar in session (when my 3 boys are not taking up all my time with hockey) and tunes on whistle as I learn them. Working on Banish Misfortune and Boys of Blue Hill. Boys of Blue hill to go along with Harvest Home (which I now know pretty well) so I’ve got a set of horn pipes to play. A side product of picking up the whistle is that I’ve also started to seriously learn to read music and not just relying on the old ear as us guitarist are prone to do. It’s been a very productive musical year for me in 2012 … hope 2013 is as well!
Good job!
If I were to give advice, it would be to use the finger pads rather than the finger tips to cover the holes - you managed to seal the holes well despite using the tips, but it’ll be easier if you use the finger pads. In other words, hold the fingers horizontally not (as) vertically.
OK I will try! I think it’s because I’m used to holding an oboe which is a lot fatter. Thanks for the help I’ve had to put it away now before the neighbours start complaining.
Greetings and Happy New Year. My name is John and I am in Devon, PA. I’ve picked up a few whistles over the last year, and only started to really practice about half a year ago. In order of my love, Fred Rose D, Clarke C, Feadog D, Oak C, home-made copper whistle bought off EBay D ( ) . I also practice the Balkan Kaval in Bb.
The tunes I am working on (first two sets I am OK in but still need fine tuning and my own ornamentation, the last two I am just starting):
Behind the Bush
Road to Lisdoonvarna
O’Keefe’s Slide
Rocky Road to Dublin
\
Strayaway Child
Cooley’s Reel
I also play two slow airs but though I can play them well, there always is room for improvement : Inisheer and Muir Eireann
I really need to find a teacher!!! I feel I can learn the tunes but I am hitting a wall and can only watch so much Youtube videos!!
I’ll check in here. I first picked up a whistle about six or seven years ago. Unfortunately I don’t make as much time for it as I used to so I’m not currently learning any new tunes. Just occasionally practicing the ones I already know.
My name is David Barnes I started playing in April. I make Native American Flutes (hobby) and dable in other instrument construction. Drums, Hammer Dulcimer, Irish Flute. Live in Colorado Springs, CO.
Learning -
Lilting Banshee
Cooley’s
Dawning of the Day
Everything they play at Session Wed & Sun
Well i have a Tyrone Head whistle and a bunch of Dixon whistles , M&E D Flute and M&E Eb Flute
Hello there!
My name is Fred, and I’m in my 50s. I first picked up a whistle when I was a teenager, but didn’t really do much with it until I turned 50, and started making my own, thanks to Snr Gonzato’s excellent instructions.
Now I’ve made dozens of whistles, and currently play Low D, C, F & G. High whistles I’ve limited myself to D, C, G & B. (Not Bb. I was asked for one. I made two - one for them & one for me.)
I also play overtone flute, guitar & duclimer. I am learning the melodeon.
Recently I moved from Buckinghamshire, UK to Oldham, UK, some 200 miles. I haven’t landed a regular session or Folk Club up here yet.
Tunes I’m working on include
Young Collins
Princess Royal (Alias Planxty Miss MacDermott)
Friezeland (by Jamie Knowles)
Ciaran and Berni
Bob here… Presently working on Yew Piney Mountain… Easy on guitar and banjo, a bugger on the fiddle. Managed to go 12 months without buying another whistle. I might have my addiction under control… My uncle was the ham in the family since the 1950’s. He and all the hams were the first generation of electronic tech geeks… Bob.
) . I also practice the Balkan Kaval in Bb.