Hello All: I have been watching the board for quite some time, deciding whether or not to “take the plunge.” Several years ago, while living in the D.C. area, my wife gave me a whistle for Christmas. It’s a low end whistle, a Waltons’ brass D, green plastic fipple (not the Walton’s mellow, but the other one). I took lessons for a very short time in a group setting, but when I moved up to the advanced beginner class, I found that I could not keep up well. Basically, I have no particular musical talent, never learned to read music and don’t have an ear for music. Given that, I bascially gave up.
My wife and I now live in the Hartford area, and I have been thinking about picking up the whistle again and giving it another shot.
I was wondering if anyone knows of anyone providing lessons in the area around Hartford, CT. I know that I can get a book, and I may, but lessons would be better for me. Even with the lessons, I am pretty certain that I would not ever be very good, but I would be happy being able to play some slow airs, things like that (at least I think I would be happy being able to do that)
Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Hi. I’ve been reading these forums for some time too but didn’t have anything clever to say, so this is my first post. Been playing the whistle for some time and now picking up the uilleann pipes. There aren’t too many pipers here in Finland though (probably because of the not-so-good-climate for the pipes)..
Since I live here, I don’t know any whistle teachers near you but I found L.E. McCullough’s “The Complete Irish Tinwhistle Tutor”-book quite useful. It comes with a CD. Also they have a nice online whistle tutor at http://www.sessioneer.com
Hope you’ll keep up with the whistle and learn to enjoy playing it
Kathy/Samppa/Cees: Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate them. If I don’t have any luck with finding a teahcer, I will try your suggestions (or maybe I will try them even if I do find a teacher). I have also read good things about the Bill Ochs tutorial, so I may try that also.
I loved my visit to Finland (from Michigan, U.S.A). My sister studied piano at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki for 2 years, and I went to see her. We took the boat to Estonia for sight-seeing, went to the island with all the ancient houses, and went to some unforgettable concerts. And I still remember how to say thank-you: kiitos!
Hello Tom and Samppa and welcome! Don’t worry about having anything clever to say..NONE of us do. Tom, I never picked up any musical instrument in my life until last February, and then I only took 4 lessons. I didn’t feel I was getting anywhere, so I came here and continued studying thru C&F, and practicing on my own. I’ve learned a lot and you can do. The important thing is to enjoy the music. It’s magic.
My folks live in Windsor, and I’m back once every year or two to visit. We can definitely get together if you like. Also, Tyghress lives in Hartford too, I believe, or close to it anyway, so you may wish to drop her a private message.
As long as you feel happy and calm while playing the whistle, and whoever’s in the house ain’t gettting goose bumps, then it’s fine. So long as YOU feel nice.
It’s not necessary to play well enough to sound great to others or impress.
I loved my visit to Finland (from Michigan, U.S.A). My sister studied piano at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki for 2 years, and I went to see her. We took the boat to Estonia for sight-seeing, went to the island with all the ancient houses, and went to some unforgettable concerts. And I still remember how to say thank-you: kiitos!
Welcome!
Heh, that’s nice
I might try to get to Sibelius Academy myself but the competition is very hard and one needs good papers. I’d need to complete my classical guitar studies first to even dream about it.
And kiitos for the welcomes
On 2002-09-06 13:01, TomB wrote:
Even with the lessons, I am pretty certain that I would not ever be very good, but I would be happy being able to play some slow airs, things like that
I know exactly how you feel! I think if a person gives it their best effort and enjoys what they are doing, being a pro isn’t the priority. Some people become pros because they are extremly talented and their best effort drives them that direction. And some people’s best effort leads them to become the delight of their little children and various polite friends! LOL
HI:
If you are not a musician already do not waste your money on “The Complete Irish Tinwhistle Tutor” it as most whistle books are written for other musicians.
You have several options: (I had the same problem).
1: Get one of Bill Ochs books and CDs this is the best tool out there for the beginning musician. He is holding a whistle workshop in September at the Irish Arts Center in NYC. Or contact him through his site at. billochs@pennywhistle.com.
2: Contact the people at http://www.shamrockirishmusic.org/ they are in Fairfield County and may have a listing of teachers.
There will be an Irish festival in Danbury on the weekend of Sep 20
The Eighth Greater Danbury Irish Festival will be held Sept. 20, 21, & 22, 2002.
On Sunday the Eileen Ivers band will be playing and Jerry O’Sullivan will be playing pipes and whistle and should be able to help you with a name. He is out of Westchest country and teaches at the Tara Circle in Yonkers starting September 23
Brian: Let me know the next time that you are in the area. Maybe we can get together.
Wizzer: Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I will be out of town the weekend of the Danbury Irish Festival, but I will definitely check out the website that you listed. I am definitely leaning towards getting the Bill Ochs tutorial, thanks.
When I got back to Detroit after living in PA, I contacted the Gaelic League and they put me in touch with a group over in Windsor, Ont. that I played with for a while. (Met MarkB there, too) I would imagine that the AOH would also know of teachers or of musicians that would be willing to give you some pointers, or even know of some beginner-tolerant sessions. Give them a call.
Merry meet to you all!
I’m also new to Chiff and Fipple, and tinwhistling in general–I first bought mine, a Clarke original in D, just a little over 6 months ago. I have some music experience, enough to figure out simple tunes, but that just ain’t cutting it anymore. I saw that Bill Ochs is offering a workship in NYC; unfortunately, I live down in Fla.
My question is: does anyone know of any good tinwhistlers, either teacher or performer, who teaches or gives workshops down south?
Thanks a million!
