I just got some traditional irish CD’s and fell in love with the tin penny whistle melodies. My question is where is a good place to start (whistle,books,manuals). I was checking into a tweeked Clark from the Whistle Shop but wanted to know what you would recommend for a good starter whistle, and lesson books? Thankyou, Matt
I like the Bill Ochs Tinwhistle Tutor and CD set. It starts very basic, and takes you all the way through some really advanced topics at the end.
By the way, if you use the search function you will find many threads where various folks have shared opinions on this very subject.
If you’re looking for another book to “augment” the Ochs, L.E. McCullough has a tutor and CD set which is also quite good, but more geared towards an intermediate or advanced player.
Best,
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
Matt,
I’d second James suggestion, and add “Ireland’s 110 Best Tinwhistle Tunes” by Waltons. Get the CD too - it makes it much easier when learning to be able to set it on repeat1, until you can play along with the tune. That was you get to hear how the tune should sound, and if you can follow the sheet music, you can see that the sheet music bears as much resemblance to the tune as a skeleton to a livign breathing human.
The 110 book and list of tunes contained therein can be found at:
http://www.acousticmusicsupply.com/instrbooks-mb98770.html
p.s welcome to the board!
Welcome!
If you have no musical history I would suggest finding a teacher if at all possible. At least for my learning type this was pretty much the only option. I need something hands on to get anywhere. Also I think this is the way it “should” be taught. Passed down from the teacher to student. It feels much more traditional and more rewarding. I tried to teach myself for quite some time, then finally found a good instructor. Now I am progressing much faster. I don’t really use the self teaching books I have at all. As far as a whistle I would suggest a brass Acorn or a Sweetone.
Hi,
I’m new here. 
I bought a “Deluxe Whistle Starter Set” which included 2 whistles(Clarke and Clare) and 2 books from the whistle shop a month ago. IMO It’s really a great package for beginners. I never had any musical experience before, I don’t know how to read sheet music, … Tin whistle is my first instrument.
The first few weeks is going to be really the hardest parts on learning to play. There was one point that I thought, I made a big mistake on learning this instrument and I thought I wasted my money. I stopped playing for more than 5 days. There was no progress, the best thing I can do is play the first half of the tune and that’s it.
Don’t worry, it’s all part of learning, when you get past a few hurdles, everything will just fall into order.
Right now, I’m glad I can now read sheet music, play tunes with basic ornamentation, I’ve even translated one of the tunes called “February Air” by JessieK to sheet music(though some parts on the ornamentation is missing but at least it’s a try ).
p.s. I hope it will be ok for JessieK, for me to translate her own music.
[ This Message was edited by: arkane on 2003-02-13 14:45 ]
The Deluxe Whistle Starter Set from The Whistle Shop is an excellent package. The two whistles are very different in character, and will help you learn what you like to play best. With the two books, you have a tutor and an outstanding collection of tunes to go on with (and the CDs make learning happen that much faster).
If that’s not an option, I can second the recommendation of the Bill Ochs book. I’d never seen it before (though I’ve heard people here rave about it), but I saw it in my local music store the other day and picked it up. It’s really a good basic tutor, with an extensive, carefully broken down, approach to teaching music reading that would be very nice for someone who doesn’t already have that under their belt. The explanations of the various tin whistle ornaments are among the best I’ve seen.
The most important advice I can give you, however, is relax and enjoy yourself. This is a fun instrument, and if it doesn’t seem easy at first, that will come with time and practice. It’s an instrument that’s well within the reach, both musically and financially, of most people, and that’s one of the best things about it.
Welcome!
Redwolf
Thank You all for the guidance, I think I will go with the Clark starter set and check into the cd’s and books you all recommended. I appreciate the help, Matt
Hi Arkane and welcome to the board!
It’s sometimes hard for a hardened musician to remember how tough it is starting from scratch! I’ve been reading sheetmusic, singing and playing various instruments for over 30 years, and I’m still not familiar with all the subtleties of the medium, nor am I capable of sightreading at speed.
You have the triple task of reading the music (be it ABC, sheetmusic or by ear), learning the tune, and becoming familiar with the instrument!
It often helps to start by playing tunes you are completely familiar with, e.g. Happy Birthday to You, Freres Jacques, London Bridge Is Falling Down etc, to cut out the first two tasks and concentrate on the third - actually getting notes out of the whistle.
Then, once you are confident with the whistle, find the tunes written out as sheetmusic so you get used to seeing the notes on the stave.
Once you can recognise a tune you know by seeing it written out, try learning new tunes, preferably by hearing them, but with the sheetmusic as a backup reference for the actual notes if you have trouble hearing them all.
Finally, when you’re familiar with the feel & rhythms of a particular tune type (jig, reel, hornpipe, polka etc) you can tackle new ones straight off the page, if you don’t have a recording to listen to, with a good chance of getting a nice feel for the tune.
Some folks despise or at least reject sheetmusic for Traditional Irish Music, but I think it has it’s place - though learning by ear is better if you can manage it. I usually need the sheetmusic to get faster passages sorted out.
Good lcuk with your practising!
Martin
If you’re starting out from absolute scratch, one thing that might be helpful is the online tutorial at http://www.thewhistleshop.com. Just follow the links to the tutorial.
[ This Message was edited by: blackhawk on 2003-02-14 05:48 ]
Welcome-- boy are you in for some fun! This simple, humble instrument is capable of some truly wonderful music which can bring great joy to you and those listening to you ( although perhaps not at first )
Take it slowly, and don’t expect miracles in the beginning. The recommendations given in other posts will get you well on your way on a journey that will never end.
…The recommendations given in other posts will get you well on your way on a journey that will never end.
echoing Never never never never…
Welcome to you new folks. I haven’t been playing long enough myself to extensively reccommend books, but the others have already done a good job of that! The advice to take it slowly is the best advice I could give, too. Also don’t forget that it’s not for a class, it’s for your own personal enjoyment, so have fun! 
I can hardly wait! I just ordered the Clark Sweetone and an original tin Clark, along with the Bill Ochs Tinwhistle Tutor and CD set from the Whistle shop. I plan to begin learning on the sweetone and use the original clarks for my historical reenactments. I hope practice pays off to where I can play like some of the clips and snips! I figure after some practice maybe I will look at getting a nice whistle like an elfsong, sure like that shiny brass look and everyone seems to rave about them…but thats getting way ahead of myself Got to fight off that Whoa you all talk about!