from the very first time you picked up a whistle, to where you got to be able to play songs without messing up too much.
The tune was recognizable in ten minuets.The fingering was correct after twenty minuets. The breath control is still in need of work after six months. The ornamentation may never be finished.The tune is only thirty seconds long.
Bruce
I picked up the whistle for the first time and promptly started playing rip the calico at full speed. Pennywhistles are way to easy to play.
I don’t know. I’ve been playing whistle for probably two years now. If I ever reach the point of being satisfied that I’ve done it well, I’ll let you know.
I guess it depends on a number of factors. These include your prior musical training, types of instruments previously played, etc.
I spent most of my first day just getting acquainted with the whistle and learning to play the notes fairly consistently. After that, I was able to play familiar, non-celtic tunes by ear. That’s all I played for several years.
About 3 or 4 years ago I began learning traditional Irish tunes from the sheet music, and I had to re-learn how to read music.
It is still easier for me to learn a tune by ear than from the printed page.
I still include lots of “accidental ornamentations” in my music. The proper term for these is “flubs”. Most ornamentation probably originated as musicians learned to skillfully weave their flubs into the music.
In order for me to play a performance piece in a competition, I have to concentrate my practice solely on that one tune for several weeks. I guess it would be really nice to have talent! 
On 2003-01-14 01:06, BmacD wrote:
The tune was recognizable in ten minuets.The fingering was correct after twenty minuets. The breath control is still in need of work after six months. The ornamentation may never be finished.The tune is only thirty seconds long.
Bruce
I second that.
Aodhan
On 2003-01-14 01:06, BmacD wrote:
The tune was recognizable in ten minuets.The fingering was correct after twenty minuets.
Just out of curiousity…how long IS a minuet? Most of the ones I know last a good while… 
Aodhan
On 2003-01-14 02:46, Tantus wrote:
I picked up the whistle for the first time and promptly started playing rip the calico at full speed. Pennywhistles are way to easy to play.
oooooh, you lie, you lie…
The question begs a snippy wiseass remark, but in all seriousness, if you have a basic knowledge of music, it will take you less time than if you’ve never played anything. If you’ve ever played a wind instrument, like a recorder it will take less time than if your only instrument has been a piano.
If you’re very critical of yourself, it will take longer than if you’re really thrilled to be able to get a recognizable Three Blind Mice (Twinkle Twinkle, pick your tune).
And if you’re trying to learn/play in a vacuum, it will take longer than if you play WITH people.
I had a basic musical background, played recorder, and really learned to play the whistle in session with a dozen other people hammering out the tune at a silly speed. I didn’t play much…but I got the enthusiasm and feel for what I was trying to achieve, and lots of support from people who had been playing their whole lives. I also got some silly, snide remarks, or people taking a tune I was fussing with in the break and showing me just how fast and furious, or fancy and over-ornamented they could make it, but those are the rarities and can be snubbed. In general, people are nice to beginners.
Don’t let yourself get bored with one or two tunes…have fun, don’t worry that you don’t sound like the recording. Chances are you’ll NEVER sound like the recording. But you’ll sound more and more like you, and more enjoyable to those who hear you.
Tyghress, I think you’ve said it all, and very well.
I guess it will take an old Tuba player a day or two longer huh!
Well said, Thygress. I,ve been hacking away on and off for several years. (unfortunately more off than on) Every month that goes by lately I notice that I hit more satisfying notes and snips of phrases here and there than I did the month before. All you need is desire to play and patience, patience, patience. I may never be a great player, but one day I know I’ll be a good one.
-Paul
There are no hard and fast answers to your question, Pogue, but one thing you are likely to find is that you will encounter periods of stagnation at times. By contrast, at other times you will find progress appears sudden. Try to stay cool, and keep the enjoyment factor alive. You need to be self-critical to analyse your progress, but don’t overwhelm your enthusiasm with a torrent of negativity.
If your having a bad patch, it can be helpful to lay off playing for a few days: you’ll be surprised how fresh it feels to play after a little lay off.
Sensible persistance will pay you great dividends. I wish you all the best with your progress,
Adrian
I haven’t been playing for very long but I am quickly learning a fwe lessons that I think are important. 1) The experience of making music is profoundly personal. I can spend an hour playing and never notice the world around me. It is an oppportunity to tap into the creative aspects of ourselves for the pure joy of creation. Enjoy yourself and you will learn. 2) Anyone who is worth playing for will think you are better than you think you are. As I sit in the living room hearing every flub, my wife sits in the family room hearing music.
On 2003-01-14 18:56, adriancarrington wrote:
There are no hard and fast answers to your question, Pogue, but one thing you are likely to find is that you will encounter periods of stagnation at times. By contrast, at other times you will find progress appears sudden. Try to stay cool, and keep the enjoyment factor alive. You need to be self-critical to analyse your progress, but don’t overwhelm your enthusiasm with a torrent of negativity.
If your having a bad patch, it can be helpful to lay off playing for a few days: you’ll be surprised how fresh it feels to play after a little lay off.
Sensible persistance will pay you great dividends. I wish you all the best with your progress,Adrian
That’s exactly right.
Someone said that playing instuments previously helps tremendously, especially if it is a wind instrument. This is quite true, I could pick up the penny whistle quite easily because I had played the saxophone for about 8 years. Unfortunately, the octave key was not on the back, it was lifting a finger and when Ithought I was playing an f natural (as on a sax) I was really playing an f#. So, a few things helped me catch up rather quickly, but getting used to a few differences was quite foreign and I had to unlearn a few things. I just hope I can still play the sax!!!
With lots of work…one year.
well, i’ve played guitar for 3 years, trumpet for 9 years, and I took piano lessons for about a year. hopefull those will help me pick it up faster…and yes, I do get way too critical of myself 
I have to sound exactly like the recording or I get pissed off…oh well, I still can’t wait though.
Ah, trumpet, well that explains it…you have to put your lips around it, not in it, and play with more than three fingers, and I think you’ll be all set!
Robin