I decided to pick up a Generation D whistle that I saw randomly as I was passing by some shops on my way home.
I’m having a blast, but controlling my breath is proving more difficult than I had originally thought it would be. 
I would like to look into some sheet music and learn some Irish/Celtic/traditional tin whistle tunes, is there anywhere that I can find them on the internet for free? I’m also interested in books and good CDs to listen to. Thanks! 
You just picked up the whistle? First time playing it? I don’t think anyone is that good starting out that they can tell if a “better” instrument is needed. Speaking from my own experience, which is much less than a lot of fine folks around here, for a while my Waltons D sounded more like a goose call with a few notes thrown in. After a while the geese were no longer landing in my yard, and the sound was more pleasing to the ears. It took a while though, much more than an hour, and 99% of the time it was me to blame for things not sounding so good. It’s your money, but I think you’re still gonna sound like a beginner no matter how much the whistle costs.
I picked up a whistle for the first time half a year ago.. and all my whistles (cheap or not) sound better after I get used to them. Breath control, and avoiding any leaks from holes (which will give you a squeak) is the key. Well, one key anyway.
But if you’re going to buy another whistle anyway then I would recommend a Bluebird from Jerry Freeman, it’s not very expensive and it’s easy to get a good sound from it for a beginner. Very pure tone, very easy to play the second octave, and it’s in tune (as in: If it doesn’t sound in tune then it’s nothing to do with the whistle! ) He doesn’t announce them on his ebay store, you can probably PM him on this forum if you want one (IRRC that was what I did). I got some severe WHOAD and I have lots of whistles now but if I would have to be left with just one then the Bluebird is it.
-Tor
Thank you so much for the fast replies, wow!
Yeah, I’m sure there is a lot of truth in what you have both said, I’ll stick with this for a while. 
It cost less than a movie ticket, and I can’t stop playing it. 
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with purchasing a tweaked whistle, so you can be sure that the faults are your own and not the instrument, but I agree with the others. You can’t tell anything in an hour of playing. (I am not sure an hour of playing - without any instruction or music book - is even enough to decide if this will be a lifetime hobby.)
I am a newbie, and just picked up a of couple inexpensive whistles a little over a month ago, and I’m still learning about their characteristics.
Whistles are so affordable that it’s tempting to start buying a lot, especially if you’re a collector by nature. I am not sure what your definition of “expensive” is but I’ve basically cut myself off from spending over $50 on any one whistle right now until I develop my skills better and make sure this will be a lasting hobby.
I think the part of this post that may be rubbing people the wrong way is that you are asking about free instruction/music, but want to buy a more expensive whistle after an hour of playing. Spending that whistle money on a good primer book or a lesson or two will get you much farther at this stage of the game than a better whistle. I recommend Bill Och’s Clarke Tin Whistle book, but there are other good intro books out there too. I just picked up Grey Larsen’s encyclopedic Tin Whistle & Irish Flute book and it is pretty amazing. The abbreviated version, just for Tin Whistle, might also be a good place to start. I am a book learner though, so your mileage may vary. There are a few whistle sites that offer online lessons and most have a free preview of the first few lessons. You may want to look into that too.
Aye, I didn’t really think my post through… guess I’m just too excited? Heh.
Edited my original post to better reflect the point of the thread.
Thanks for the advice and the replies, can’t wait to continue playing this after I finish studying!
A few web-based sources to get you started (not meant to be all-inclusive, just some I had at hand—and, of course, Google is your friend)
http://www.tinwhistletutorials.com/about/
http://cmtk3.webring.org/l/rd?ring=thetinwhistleweb;id=8;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whistleworkshop.co.uk%2Fhome.htm
http://www.rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/index.html
These may help while you sort out what book(s), whistle(s), teaching source(s), etc. you may want to investigate further.
Never underestimate the value of a real human as a teacher either.
Best wishes.
Steve
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/whistle-recordings/68189/1
Yes, but can I suggest that first you try learning by ear? Start out by trying to play something you already have firmly in your head, like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Happy Birthday to You. Work on them every day for a week & see how they go.
Then, there are zillions of places to go from there, & you’re not limited by the dots!
http://www.tommykeane.com/tunes.php
http://tradlessons.com/
http://www.toraigh.com/slowsessions.html
http://www.thegrotonsession.com/tunes.html
http://faculty.ivytech.edu/~bpfingst/ss/ss.html
http://www.scoiltrad.ie/Pages/music.htm
http://www.tradschool.com/
http://www.thewhistleshop.com/slow/session.htm
http://errantelbows.podbean.com/
http://irishflute.podbean.com/
http://www.irishmusicportlandmaine.org/tunes/
http://portalmusicweek.com/uncategorized/2012_core_tune_list/
Good luck, & have fun!
Captain,
I forwarded you a comprhensive PM with suggestions that are very much backed by ALL of the excellent information you have received from those who responded to your thread. It is always great to see the level of support rendered by members of this forum, especially in helping someone getting started on whistle. Great job Chiffers!!!
Cheers,
Cayden
Click this link http://www.tinwhistler.com/ and then on the tune list. Lots of written Celtic tunes along with mp3 sound.
I’ll second the recommendation for the Bill Ochs book/cd set. It starts at zero, gradually and stepwise teaches you to read music and works it’s way through simple to more complex, ornamented tunes. By the time you finish those lessons, you’re well equipped to tap into the huge number of great tunes out there and to start playing at sessions.
Good luck, and most of all, have fun with it.
Second what Tor said. I’ve got a bunch of whistles, including more than a few excellent Jerry Freeman products, and the Freeman Bluebird in D seems to be the one most like my Copeland in D, though not as loud. That’s like buying a Strad fiddle for a Sears price.
Some cool tunes with cool tinwhistle mp3s:
http://www.micksvirtualwhistle.net/whistle/index.html
Did anyone mention Ryan Dunns whistle lessons on youtube?
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6B230B321F47198B
This is my favorite Book and CD taught by Cathal McConnell.
Just picked up a whistle – now what?
Um, that’s easy. 
Best do this out-doors. Find out which end of the whistle is heavier - probably the head end, where you might blow in to it if you want it to make a noise… Now hold it between thumb and forefinger of your dominant hand, about 2/5ths of the way from the heavy end, so that it lies across the ball of your thumb. Next take up a comfortable stance with your legs somewhat apart. Now stretch your arm out sideways and down and point the heavy end of the whistle up your arm. Stretch your other arm out and up so you make a straight line through whistle-shaft and both arms. Now, using best approved javelin technique, cast the whistle as far as you can, preferably into a lake (no good with a wooden one) or some dense, thorny bushes. Take a run up if you wish, but that may be overkill. It is your responsibility to ensure no-one is damaged or discommoded by your action. Once this task is completed, visit your psychiatrist and book some aversion therapy (giving a 3 year old a whistle just before bedtime and having to sit with them may work…).
And you should read the stuff he writes BEFORE he’s had his morning coffee…
Best wishes.
Steve
b-b-but, it was so much quicker and easier than the terrible waste of time spent learning to play it, no?
coffee?
OK, tea and strumpets…
Best wishes.
Steve
Strumpets??? 
I wonder if Jem might need something a little more calming these days. A nice whiskey perhaps?
To the OP: get the Ochs book, listen/watch some video’s of some simple and not too fast but not too slow tunes. Hold the whistle lightly. Don’t attempt to play too long on one breath. Breath between notes when you need to for now and try to play few intervals - like switching back and forth between the same notes on the two different octaves. It will help you learn the whistles’ breath requirements.
Put your cat\dog outside when practicing. Let your partner go shopping then too. You will be happier and so will they.
Drink whiskey when practicing, for your nerves and to gain patience.
ecohawk