I am new here but I have the same old questions. :-)

Whistle
1

Hi there.
I am just starting to learn how to play the penny whistle. My grandmother was from Ireland and played a mean one. :slight_smile:
I wanted to ask a few questions I am sure have been asked many times before.

  1. Does anyone know of any penny whistle teachers in Vancouver, BC, Canada?

  2. Which books/CDs should I get to help me before I go to see a teacher?

  3. Which websites are good and which aren’t?

  4. Which music CDs should I get to hear some traditional Irish tunes played nicely on the penny whistle?

Thanks!

-Finn-

2

Check out

http://www.angelfire.com/music2/WestCoastWhistleCo/index.html

They are in B.C. and they mention lessons on their website.

Joe

3
  1. Sites I like:

http://www.rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/

http://www.tinwhistler.com/music/

http://www.geocities.com/whistleannex/index.html

http://mothra.nts.uci.edu/~dhwalker/dixie/

http://www.iol.ie/~rainbow/trad.html

http://www.pennywhistle.com/index.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/folk/acoustic_club/launch.shtml

there’s more, but these should be interesting to start you off.

  1. I always recommend 110 Tinwhistle Tunes, and the Bill Ochs book. I’ve heard good things about McCulloughs too. The main thing is to get one with a CD (preferred) or tape to go with it, so you can hear how the tunes should sound. The sheet music cannot convey all the nuances.

Welcome, and good luck on your whistling journey!

4

Get Bill Ochs rather than L.E. McCullough’s tutor if you are starting out.

5

Hi Finn

Welcome to whistling. I don’t know of anyone teaching whistling here in Vancouver, but maybe I could help you get started if you’d like to send me an email.
Ellen