Hi, ok I have browsed and read a couple of pages in this forum. I was hoping to find a post that would answer my question… I know it’s hiding somewhere… I was just was not able to find it.
I am looking at playing the Tin Whistle, I have giving up on my alto recorder (I loved the lower tone) that I got when I was younger as my fingers never grew to the point where I can comfortably play it and I pretty much ignored the lower finger hole for that reason.
I recently talked to a friend who is willing to give me lessons in playing the tin whistle, but he has had his instrument for years and doesn’t know what is on the market these days. He recommended a Generations or a Soodlums, and that a key of D was a good place to start, He also stressed that if at all possible to get an adjustable mouth piece. He also mentioned that the Soodlum’s tin whistle book was a gem if I could find it.
I have ran into several problems. The local music stores in the lower mainland (I live in Surrey, BC, Canada) that I have found that carries the whistles have a very limited selection. I am not looking to spend a lot of money (less than 30$ preferably) as I have just left my career to go back to school. At the same time I want to invest in a whistle that has a good sound, low upkeep, easy to learn, and will last.
The only two shops I could find were Long & McQuade and TomLeemusic. Tom Lee had more of a selection and the description for each type was poor. So I am still not sure what I am doing, nor do I know if I can make a good choice. So I am asking for help in finding a whistle.
Welcome!
There are many whistles avialible in your price range that would serve.
Generation, Feadogs, Acorn/Oaks, Soodlums, Waltons, Dixons, and others.
Agreed with what’s been said so far. You might want to try the Clarke Tin Whistle handbook by Bill Ochs as well, which now I believe comes with a CD. Enjoy.
I will second the recommendation for the Mellowdog. It’s a bit more than you are wanting to spend, but well worth it IMHO. You would spend a lot more to find its equal and not get as great a whistle for the few dollars less.
Trelia, I played a recorder for more than 40 years and always regarded the tin whistle as a musical toy until I got a Jerry Freeman tweaked Generation D. By all means spend a little more and get a tweaked whistle you won’t regret it…Bob.
I will look into to seeing if I can swing for the mellow dog, but I am confused… what dose tweaked mean? (edit) Ok never mind, I did some research and answered my own question.
I got the go ahead form my financial adviser, my husband, to order one
Seconded, Mr Och’s book has been very helpful to me.
I’m almost 5 months into my whistle journey and still using mine.
(They do come with a CD which is very helpful indeed.)
I just learned ‘Rolling in the Rye Grass’ reel, what fun!
BTW, congratulations on what I hope will be a very rewarding pastime.
And good on your finacial advisor too.
My wife added the C body to her Mellow Dog order, and likes it better than the D. She finds the hole spacing fits her fingers very comfortably. Another reason (my guess) might be that the D head has a shorter window than would normally go on a C body. As long as you have the breath control to still reach the bottom notes, it makes the upper register that much easier.
Wish I had seen this yesterday when I did my order, in for a penny in for a pound and all of that. I had to promise not to spend any more money for a while since it was already over budget… but there is always the future.
If it hasn’t been mentioned already, you have one of the best online tin whistle retailers in your neck of the woods - Heritage Music located at Salmon Arm, BC. They have a great selection on eBay. Search using “pennywhistle” to check them out.
My oldest Generation is a brass C from the late 60’s