This is my first post so please take it easy on me. I’ve been playing for eight months and feel as though I’m making reasonble progress but whilst picking up on the odd tune that I like the sound of and attempting to play around with it a bit I feel as though I really ought to be making an effort to learn some more ‘useful’ tunes. I.E. those that are commonly heard/played at sessions. So I was looking for some suggestions as to what people reckon are the ones that would best prepare me for such time that I’m good/brave enough to try mixing it with the session gurus.
Its not the destination thats important, its the journey.
Hi just4fun, welcome to C&F, and the exciting world of whistles. Have you gone to a session yet? Go, and listen to what they are playing. Although there may be some tunes that all sessions play, each session is different.
I’ve come to the conclusion that for my own sanity, both mental and musical, the best way to learn tunes is to learn ones that I really like.
That said, going to a session and listening a lot and eventually maybe trying to join in on a tune or two is a good idea, too. As Tommy says, every session is different, so find one that you like and listen to their music and start learning.
Also getting lots of good recordings and listening a ton is very very important, for any style of music. In the process you’ll discover more tunes that you like and you’ll want to learn them, and you’ll either find they’re played at sessions, or you’ll start to play them there.
All this advice is wonderful. I felt rather as though I was alone and whistling in the wind but one post and already I’ve got some direction. Obviously I need to find a local session. Thank you all.
You could check in the city guide section of the forums and you could also help yourself by adding in your location.
If you’re anywhere near me, for instance, I can point you in the direction of various sessions.
I also don’t think sessions are necessary or always that helpful. It depends on what you want to do and play. If you’re into really good irish music, for instance, it’ll help tremendously to get a good grounding from the solo playing (CDs, field recordings, concerts, etc) of really good musicians, much moreso than a session.
But they are or can be a lot of fun, and that’s something, too!
Hi and Welcome. I don’t play ITM at all. May I make a suggestion that you learn a few non-ITM songs so that your non-ITM family and friends can appreciate your whistle playing too. One song you’ll need to know is Happy Birthday. I’ll leave the rest up to you to decide.
They play quite a bit of popular Irish and English tunes around here and sessions are friendly although the Vaults in Stony Stratford are daunting.
I got Mallinson’s English Pub Sessions Tune Book and it’s a very good source of commonly played tunes plus it’s arranged from Easy Peasy through to more challenging.