Hello to you all. I am new here and this is my first post. I have been reading for a long time here to find out which way would be the best way to learn the Whistle. I just cant read anymore.
There are to many choices which only makes it harder to figure out how to get started. Im sure you all heard this before. Ive read post as far back as you can go on this board and still not sure.
Question is in your opinion, 1st whistle, 1st tutor book with cd maybe?
Also, forget about price for a moment. Which whistle would give you the cleanest sound, easiest to play and easiest to blow?
Here’s my two cents. I don’t care whether you get a high end whistle or not. What I care about is if you practice and learn how to play the whistle. If you’re going to make an internet order, whatever you buy, buy some cheap whistles to leave in your car, your purse, your backpack. Buy whistles in different keys and different materials. You’ll enjoy the comparing and contrasting aspects of multiple whistles. Get at least one whistle that’s tunable (that should be a D.) When you learn to play, you’re going to want to be in tune when you play with other people.
Where are you getting your whistle(s)? Are you a musician already? Please let us know how it goes.
For what it’s worth, I really found Bill Ochs’ tutor very helpful. It comes with a CD. He uses a Clarke original, I think. I don’t own one myself, but did find the Clarke Sweetone to nice one for a first whistle. Now I’m more partial to a Dixon Trad, though; it’s much nicer in the second octave and easier playing. Welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
First the neccessary caveat - “I am not an expert whistler.”
Not to dismiss any opinions of others, but the tutors are not going to do nearly as much for you as immersing yourself in listening to the music played by really good players. I would suggest that you spend your money on the recordings first. Get the feel of the music, get to know the phrasing in your mind before trying to decipher it on any page. Learn to tell a jig from a reel, learn to match the notes played rather than the dots written. (they can be a help, but not so much until you know what the music should sound like. It is rarely written in notation as it is played.)
Then, when you get the tutors, you will already have a good grounding in what the music actually is, and can get to work on technique and decoration.
As for which whistle… it has been proven repeatedly that the brand doesn’t matter nearly as much as the player - beginner or expert. That said, I still recommend a Jerry Tweaked Mellow Dog or an Every Whistle on the low price end or a Burke in the mid price range. When you get good enough to worry more about what you want in the sound rather than how to play the thing, then the higher priced ones are an option. Starting out with a high priced whistle may feel good, but it will not make you a better player any faster.
I’m not convinced there’s really one whistle that’s best to learn on; however, I second the advice on the Bill Ochs tutor and CD. Well worth getting!
As to the whistle, I usually recommend Oaks and Feadogs to learn on. Both of these seem pretty consistently good and don’t take as much air as some of the Clarke originals do.
Whatever you get, good luck to you, and be welcome here!
mutepointe, I was a bass player in a country band for a long time and can read music. I have no whistle yet and asked this question on this forum because I new I would get honest answers and with all the exp. here the forum would lead me down the right road.
anniemcu, been listening to the music for a while now and I think, no I know this is why I want to learn to play. Ive done a lot of reading and its time to get to it.
As a true beginner all of your opinions are important to me. Again thank you and hopefully in a year or two I will be able to play a tune or two.
I would personally not recommend a Clark Original for learning.
I get those Comhaltas emails and listen to the video’s of the day, and all the kids who play on there are playing Gens or Feadogs or Oaks. That says a lot.
Pay no attention to the man behind the FJohnSharp curtain
I would advise: don’t eliminate the Clarke original from your prospects.
My two favorite suprano D whistles are the Clarke original design and the Every Whistle (just intonation version), both require approximately the same amount of air, but with the “thumb squoosh” tweak, you can reduce the amount of air required for the Clarke.
I have had good luck with the last batch of Generation whistles I ordered as well.
I am no expert, but I think you dont need a whistle with the “cleanest sound, easiest to play and easiest to blow” to start with.
my first whistle is a Little Black, but i didnt like it. Then a friend got me an Oak, I love it ever since.
you wont end up with only 1 whistle, so try a few of the inexpensive brands first, gen, feadog, oak, dixon, sweetone, clarke, etc, that way, with the $ of an expensive whistle, you end up with more than a few whistles, possibly getting one that you love and spend more time on.
“cleanest sound, easiest to play and easiest to blow” is very subjective, so try the cheapies first. (Dixon new trad brass comes to mind)
as a newbie myself and having all sorts of whistles the 3 i play most are my Dixon low d and my generation blue top (and a little Guinness whistle i take to work )
I think you are all right. Many less expensive whistles to have around my house and in my car. I will start with the High D but some mention the low D. Should you stay away from this to start?
Good luck and welcome! The people here are great and will answer all your questions. Remember you can also get a two piece Clare to keep in your pocket - their sound is not always good but you can upgrade it with a Hoover whitecap later, and you’ve always got it with you. I started (too long ago) on a Generation, but if I were beginning now I might well go for an Every whistle as they have a great sound, are cheap and may well inspire you to make your own! Get lots of cheap ones to see what you like, read the recommendations on here and then choose a higher end one. Personally I would learn a bit on the high D before trying the low: it is not hard but it helps to know where your fingers are going, which is easier to learn on a high D.
Speaking of Clare, The only whistle/tutor/CD combo I can find at a music store within a 100 miles of me is one by Clare McKenna, it comes with a Clare High D Nickel whistle, learning book and CD with all the exercises and tunes.
Has anyone heard of this lady? Only other option will be buying off the internet.
Well, I don’t know the lady but I bought this combo a few years ago, just to have a different medium (rather than hanging on internet pages all the time). I think it is not the worst option for a beginner, but you will want to have some further books later. You might combine learning from books an videos on the internet.
but I bought this combo a few years ago, just to have a different medium (rather than hanging on internet pages all the time). I think it is not the worst option for a beginner, but you will want to have some further books later. You might combine learning from books an videos on the internet.