What would you consider to be the best book/cd set I would need at this time to get me going. I have heard great things about The Clarke Tin Whistle: Deluxe Edition by Bill Och. I was interested in getting The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle by Larsen, but have read from a few reviews that it is not the best book for a total beginner. I heard Bill Och’s book is one of the only ones where he assumed his readers know absolutely nothing about the whistle. (which is exactly where I am at) What would you suggest? Unfortunately, I cannot afford a teacher at this time and would prefer to learn on my own right now. As this is the case I am looking for the best self learning tools that will help me along until then. Most importantly I want to avoid any bad habits in the beginning, so i am looking for material that covers the basics the best, and at the same time will lead me into more intermediate/advanced work.
Suggestions wanted!
If you can afford it, get both. Start with the Bill Ochs, but browse the Larsen a bit too. By the time you get to the end of the Clarke Tinwhistle, you’ll be ready to take advantage of the Larsen book. In the meantime, LISTEN to as much whistle and other trad music as you can.
Another book you might find interesting is “Traditional Irish Tin Whistle Tutor” by Geraldine Cotter. One of the best things about this book is the 100 tunes/songs at the end. It comes with or without 2 CDs … with the CDs is best. Listening to the music is always the best idea.
(Linked to The Whistle shop for a picture, but they seem to be out of the book right now.)
One of the things I like about the Larsen book is the CD that comes with it - very reinforcing. The absolute best for a newbie, imho, are Ryan Dunns’ You Tube videos - check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0Xf1Ume0zA
Pat
I own the Bill Ochs’s and I recommend it. It really assumes you know NOTHING about the Whistle and music notation too.
I have the CD version, it helps a lot to hear what you “read”.
Good luck and enjoy the Tin Whistle world, it is a vast, interesting, and most of all, FUN to be in!
If you know nothing about whistle and music notation etc., the Larsen book will be incomprehensible mostly.
Bill Ochs’ book is a good place to start. Lidten to whistle music. Have fun. 
I’m not sure it would incomprehensible, but it would be overwhelming. He really tries to make it simple, in an exceedingly detailed sort of way.
Your description is exceedingly correct. 
The Grey Larsen books are very detailed, but that’s good in some ways. For example, there are several pages about how to hold a whistle.
Overkill? For some people, it certainly would be. But if you look around the forum, you will see several older posts with questions about what to do with the little fingers, about the best way to hold the mouthpiece and about which hand to keep on top. I know that kind of detail would have been very useful the first time I picked up a whistle.
I have both the Bill Ochs book and the Larsen book.
I’d say start with the Bill Ochs book as well. It doesn’t seem like much because it’s a small book, but it’s very clearly written and easy to understand. And yes, it assumes little to know musical background.
As mentioned above, the Larsen book is very good, but is VERY detailed. I like details, and it was just about too much - even for me. It’s a helpful book, but maybe not the best to start with.
I’d also agree that the Ryan Duns videos on YouTube are great to start with.
Jason