ive just started the penny whistle, im 19 and have no musical background what so ever. i was just wondering is there any chance of becoming a proficient player when you start in adulthood? also, how long do people practice for before they become reasonably good? though im only planning on taking it up for a hobby.
Well, I actually started when I was about 4 or 5. But I don’t see why you couldn’t become proficient starting at 19. Just start practicing. BTW, I’m 19 now so I have about 15 years behind me!
Well, I started playing when I was about 35, now I’m about 35.5, hahaha, it’s good fun, fortunately a fairly easy instrument to play on, I now think I should learn how to read notes, think that would accelarate my progress.
Cheers, amar.
Started at age 41, now turning 44. It is never too late!
Started the whistle at 54, but the music was always there…knew middle “C” on the piano and the all notes at three, started real pinao lessons in second grade…flute in fifth…gotta aadmit, I love the whistle best of all…I think I’m getting religion, too, Halluelia and pass the ammunition, think I’ll call God “Music.”
Let it shine! Anna “Dances with Weasels” Martinez
[ This Message was edited by: Anna Martinez on 2002-03-30 09:14 ]
well im glad im not the only late starter! you usually only hear of children learning instruments (especially cheap ones) and i was beginning to wonder if only beginning in childhood allowed ample time to master it.
I have another question to, you see, i have a music book , with all the embarrassing and patronising basics like twinkle twinkle little star and alike, but after listning to a penny whistle site on the net, i think i would do alot better trying to copy what i hear than reading it from a book. im good at holding a tune in my head, and playing the notes back slowly to myself. so does anyone know which is the best way to learn? start with the basics or try copying harder pieces by ear?
Like Nancy, started at about 41 and am now 53. It’s a great hobby at any age and level of play.
2-3 years ago, although I’d played around with it before. I just turned 55 last week, and can play a few things, though I have a bad feeling that a late start and lack of early musical education will prevent my ever playing well or playing with others.
I started playing a few months ago, I’m 17.
I’m 22: Started on whistle initially at 19 but not for very long (only had a susato - ouch!) and started learning for real last year. I did start playing recorder in school in third grade and stuck with it, but I can’t read music yet.
I was twelve when I got my first whistle…It was about a week before my 13th birthday. For my birthday I got a Susato (I didn’t pick it out 
) and a Sweetone C among other things.
Brent
On 2002-03-30 10:00, Chuck_Clark wrote:
…my ever playing well or playing with others.
Hey Dale, a new product line for you! One of those shirts that says “Plays well with others” 
Well, I bet I am the oldest beginner on the board. I’ve been playing the whistle (this time) since about mid-February, although I played it briefly back in my late 40’s, which was waaaaaay back However, I have a fairly extensive musical background which included theory and composition, piano, recorders, drums (please, Lord, send me a bodhran!), mountain dulcimer, and guitar, and included everything from opera through rock, baroque, and folk. Actually, I guess I have been more or less musical from the day I was born since my maiden name is Carroll and I was born on Christmas day, making me a Christmas Carroll (ok, everybody laugh. I think that’s really funny).
All that background has given me a great edge and I play much better than I should. My interpretation of a song is way ahead of my breath and finger control, but I’ve played for people and they’ve enjoyed it - in fact I have several invitations already to play for groups starting in mid-April, so I practice a LOT!
But you are NEVER too old to start something new. I’m 66 and am having more fun now than I did when I was 19 or even 30.
42
On 2002-03-30 09:24, linz wrote:
well I’m glad im not the only late starter! you usually only hear of children learning instruments (especially cheap ones) and i was beginning to wonder if only beginning in childhood allowed ample time to master it.I have another question to, you see, i have a music book , with all the embarrassing and patronising basics like twinkle twinkle little star and alike, but after listning to a penny whistle site on the net, i think i would do alot better trying to copy what i hear than reading it from a book. im good at holding a tune in my head, and playing the notes back slowly to myself. so does anyone know which is the best way to learn? start with the basics or try copying harder pieces by ear?
Welcome linz,
If you can hold the tune in your head and wrk out the fingering, that’s the ideal way to go forward with Irish music.
I was classically trained, alas, which means I take in music through the eyes better than the ears, but I’m getting better. I can hear a tune and whistle it (without a whistle, that is, using my lips!) and use this as part of my “learning a new tune” process.
Fortunately my work colleagues don’t mind, one said recently to a another “leave the whistling to Martin, at least he can do it in tune” up until which point I hadn’t realised I was whistling. Folks at work think I’m very cheerful, when actually I’m remembering the latest tune!
Using sheetmusic I get the notes & fingering quicker, but to get the bounce, rhythm & feel listening is still the best way.
I started whistle around my 35th birthday, 7 months ago, but have played some instrument or other since I was 5, and also do a lot of singing, which I’m sure helps a great deal with tune memory, especially through the ears.
Edit: should also have said, check out Brother Steve’e site - some handy soundclips, and more good advice then you cna shake a stick at:
http://www.rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/
MCM Transatlantic Whistle Detective Agency - no case too small.
Branches in London & Saltlake City
Diddy Doo Wop - Darryl Hall & John Oates
[ This Message was edited by: Martin Milner on 2002-03-30 13:42 ]
Well…I have a friend on this board that is waiting with baited breath for my response to this one. All I can tell you …older than dirt…got you all beat. I started playing 2 yrs ago…was able to read music and now can play by ear…a great combination. I’m also playing bodhran and taking violin lessons and a Fender travel guitar just waiting in the wings. It has opened up a whole new world for me. So, for you youngsters out there…one is never too old to learn if you have the desire. Gm
On 2002-03-30 13:38, Grannymouse wrote:
Well…I have a friend on this board that is waiting with baited breath for my response to this one. All I can tell you …older than dirt…got you all beat. I started playing 2 yrs ago…was able to read music and now can play by ear…a great combination. I’m also playing bodhran and taking violin lessons and a Fender travel guitar just waiting in the wings. It has opened up a whole new world for me. So, for you youngsters out there…one is never too old to learn if you have the desire. >
Grannymouse you are truly an inspiration to me. One of my passions is violin. I have always wanted to learn it. But, alas, I thought I would be too old to take on such a difficult instrument.
I have been playing guitar for quite sometime now. Mostly percussion style though.
I am starting to learn fingerstyle. And that is tough enough… To learn a violin?! Yikes!
I have been seriously playing whistle for about a year. I am 41
I have some formal music training as well. It comes in handy. Yet, I would love to master learning by ear. It is challenging enough memorizing songs. But, I am getting there.
Laura
Laura wrote:
Grannymouse you are truly an inspiration to me. One of my passions is violin. I have always wanted to learn it. But, alas, I thought I would be too old to take on such a difficult instrument.
Thanks for those kind words, Laura. My violin teacher just smiles thru gritted teeth but I am getting there. I never thought my stubby fingers could find the right string or that my wrist and hand could curl but it is quite amazing. If you want to learn something badly enough (badly enough?)you can do it. Just don't ask me to clean house! Life's too short!!! GmI got my first whistle, an Oak, when I was eleven. My mom and I went into a music store to find a violin to rent for school (isn’t it awful that schools don’t start music lessons until fifth grade – at least around here?) and came out with the violin, the whistle, and a copy of The Pennywhistle Primer (now retitled Play Pennywhistle Now). I had a lot more luck with the whistle than the violin, but didn’t really get at all serious until about two years ago when my mom took up dulcimer and didn’t want to always play alone. I’ve progressed further in the last year or two than in the ten years before that combined. Having a sympathetic playing partner at about your own level is surprisingly helpful.
well i guess 19 seems quite young to be starting now
but ill have to find somewhere else to practice or get better quick, because as i was whining out a painful rendition of london bridge, one of the new neighbours (whom i havent met yet) started playing his trumpet through the wall,playing a litte tune which sounded like an ivitation to a duet. embarrassed by my beginner skills, i stopped imediatly!