I am new to this forum, and to whistles in general. I have been playing the Native American flute for about 3 1/2 years. For the past year I was thinking about buying a whistle since its so simular to the NA flutes but with a much diffrent sound and character. This summer when I was at the Scottish festival in Loon Mt, I visited a vendor who had vairous musical instruments. They a number of diffrent whistles, and I tryed nearly all of them. My hands kept wandering back to the same one…a small brass number. High D. She said it was made by Michael Burke. I did not know his name or his whistles, but I did know that I liked the one I tryed. Since then I have been reading up on Mike and whistles in general. So that is my story…hello all!
Welcome to the board! There is a lot of good info and some junk ;> here, but hey thats part of the fun. So… did you buy the Burke?
Frank
That’s interesting…I had almost the same experience in reverse (saw a Native American flute in my favorite music store the other day, and kept coming back to play on it…intrigued). It plays a pentatonic scale, yes?
You aren’t the “Sage” from VegSource by any chance, are you? If so, I’m Audrey (well, even if not, I’m Audrey, but that’s the name you’d know me by 
).
Redwolf
Welcome aboard!
Welcome Sage!! Hmmm…I’m just wondering how my life would be different if my first whistle was a Burke…hmmm…probably not much, since I’d buy them all anyway, but I sure would be spoiled!
What types of NAF’s have you been playing? I’m REALLY interested in trying them out. I’ve been looking at Butch Hall flutes with a great amount of interest. As soon as my Overton low F order gets paid for, I think I’m gonna try a native American flute.
Anyway, welcome to our jungle,
Eric
Welcome on. The tinwhistle, in my experience, is more flexible, and usually has more volume available. But American Indian flutes are capable of very haunting melodies. And the scales commonly found on them are great for free improvisation. I enjoy playing both. Hopefully your experiences with one instrument will aide in your playing of the other.
Welcome! 
Welcome, enjoy, and don’t be a stranger!!!
~Larry