This is my first post here so Hello 
I’m really green to the whole world of playing instruments let alone the tin whistle.
I’ve been playing for about 3 months without a tutor.
I have a few questions,
1, I have acquired a metronome. should I use one time or vary from tune to tune?
2, How do I work out the tempo for each tune?
3, anyone know of a good site about tempo/the use of metronomes?
Thanks
Les
Hello, welcome here and welcome to whistles!
You sure vary. You can´t play for example Spancil Hill at the same pace as Cooley´s reel
Hm, that depends, but I think most jigs are about 170-190 and most reels are about 180-220. But - there´s a big but - this is for 4/4 tunes, if you have 3/4 bar, you have to adjust it.
Generally, you can start playing the tune slowly, when you can do it slowly, advance by small steps (add 10-20 or so) and make it faster and faster. You continue as long as you like it (it´s good when you have some sort of recording you can stick to).
A metronome is a good tool for helping you keep a steady rhythm. One thing that will help you a lot is to learn to keep it with your foot - tap along, or stomp till you get the hang of it. 
It makes you fun to watch too. Really, it will be a valuable thing to have in your abilities.
http://www.rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/
Do some studying about the differences in the rhythms of the different types of tunes. What makes a jig, a jig? How do you count a hornpipe? Slow reel? Fast Reel? Slip Jig?
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/search.php?mode=results
Listening is probably the most important part of learning to play this music. Listen intently to the recordings you like best. There are loads of threads in the archives that will give you more suggestions for recordings to get than you’ll ever have time or money for, so just start with some of the most highly recommended and add to your collection as you can.
Learn to recognise the rhythm, where the parts of the tune repeat, what phrases are used over and over.
Take lessons if you can, visit the online resources, and keep listening and practicing. Learn where each note is with your ear, as well as your fingers.
Try playing any part of any tune you recognize. See if you can match the pitch of a note in a recording on on another instrument.
Get well acquainted with the search feature here and remember, “Google is our friend”.
In other words… just pay attention and have a lot of fun!
Oh… and Welcome to the madness!
I read Brother Steve’s page of meditations and theres a lot in there, it’s gonna take a while to digest all the other pages too 
I like the hint about learning the tune at a slow speed then gradually increasing it I’ll try that.
Listening is just as important as playing as well then that’s really interesting.
Time to find some cds in the local shops then
Thanks for your help folk.
Huh? Reels 108-112 and jigs around 120, at two beats per measure. Depending on lots of factors.
Might take a year or two to get anywhere near that speed.
Awildman: Well, I ment 4 beats per measure, so I actually mean slower speed than you Sorry, should have said that.
Les: I use MIDI files instead of metronome (I think it helps even more than the metronome) and I found that it takes me about 1/4 time to learn a tune compared to learning without it. This speed increasing makes the learning not only fast, but solid (since it´s an advance, not a jump, it should be more “under the skin”).
Actually, we’re both in the same range for reels using that math. there are not 4 beats per measure in a reel, only two. but if doubling the speed of the metrognome helps with the backbeat, go for it. Be careful not to turn it into a hornpipe doing so.
I’m trying to figure out, however, how to get 4 beats per measure out of a jig. 
Yeah, when I used the metronome, and I wanted different rhytm on backbeat (varying by…for example 1/16 or 1/32), I had to hear it so I could move the backbeat.
Exactly, if it was played all the same, it would turn to hornpipe.
But anyway, I fully stick with MIDI files now, so it doesn´t matter really.
Welcome Les .. say, your location is interesting, what country is that in?
(Possible )
Isn´t it Zealand?
Beats per measure?
is that beats per click of the metronome?
I’ve a lot to learn
Yeah, Pyroh I’m in New Zealand, I think Aoteroa sounds better though, sounds more mythical (besides it was called Aoteroa long before I came to these shores) .
Reminds me of the maori legends of the birth of the country.
There is one beat per click of the metronome. There are two beats per measure in both jigs and reels. Jigs have groupings of three notes per measure. You want to accent the first note of the group. |1-2-3 1-2-3|. I would accent the ‘1’ by making the note a little longer than the others and by some type of articulation.
Reels are much different. |1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4| Most reels, I would accent the 3s and slur over the downbeat(going from 4 to one), instead of accenting it.
This is just a starting point. Every tune has its own personality. Do a lot of listening and you’ll get the idea of which notes to accent and which to not.
Cheers
umm go up by maybe 5?? 10 or 20 would be wayy to much
also start learning the tune without the metranome, if you use it right away, it’ll just mess you up more, get used to the tune, then use the metranome to get the beats and timing right
good luck and welcome!
good luck. please tell us why you started playing the tinwhistle. we’re nosey as all get out. well, at least i am.
Tia: Dang, that´s it again - I add 20, but that´s the same case as before - 100 equalled my 200, so 10 is equal to my 20 - thanks for correction
Les: Yeah, it sounds better By the way, awildman´s comment is very good, so stick to it (mostly to the fact that every tune has its personality - it´s good when you can obtain some records and practise along them).
thanks for all your answers.
Mutepointe:
The whistle appeals to me, it’s nonconformist, not mainstream, thats where I am.
I love the idea of being able to take music with me in my pocket wherever I go.
Just resist the urge to play it in the car… at least while driving. 