I have decided to finally start playing the whistle and was wondering where to begin with buying one. I have been playing music for many years (piano and guitar) and wanted a new challenge musically. I would really appreciate any help and guidance about where to buy one and what is best to start out. Thanks in advance.
Most musical instrument stores will have generations, feadogs, Oaks or clarke sweetones for sale. Any of these whistles will work for you.
Alternately, you can go to www.whistleanddrum.com and choose from many different whistle types.
Personally, unless you get a rare clunker, it’s your skill as a player and your preference for whistle type that truly matters.
Eric
What’s your budget? What type of sound do you want? If you’re looking to get started cheap, then just about any of the cheapies will work.
For me, the Sweetone was the easiest one to actually play and I like it pretty well. The conical bore gives it a bit of a hissy, airy tone. Also, being conical, the finger holes are slightly smaller, so things like half-holing are a little harder. But breath control-wise, the Sweetone was fairly easy to get started with. Many have commented that the Sweetone sounds like a toy though.
The Feadóg is a bit harder to play regarding breath control, but I found it a more enjoyable whistle. It has a reedier tone, kind of dirty. They also have a fairly good reputation for consistency.
The Oak is slightly harder to play I think. It’s more sensitive to breath control. But, it has a nice, clean tone.
Generations have a reputation for being inconsistent. I like mine pretty well, and would say it’s fairly similar to the Feadóg. It might be slightly easier to play and the tone is a little cleaner.
If you’re able to spend a little more money (just under $50), then I (and many others I’m sure) will recommend a Mellow Dog by Jerry Freeman. He’s on the forum, and you can find the Mellow Dog on ebay. If you order directly from Jerry (through ebay), I recommend having him include the C body - and you’ll still be right at $50.
I don’t know about Jerry’s other tweaked whistles (tone, ease of play, etc.), but I’m sure you could find out which would suit you best.
The point is, if you’re able to spend a little more, you can get a whistle that you know has been tweaked to play well.
The last option I’ll recommend is a cheapie whistle with a Hoover Whitecap or Blacktop. Again, you’ll end up dropping around $50-$60, but you’ll get a whistle that you know has been tested. I have a Whitecap, which I’ve put on an Oak body and a Feadóg body. It has a nice, fairly clear tone. However, it takes a little more push in the second register to keep from honking. Nice whistle, from another nice guy.
Regarding the Mellow Dog vs. a Hoover Whitecap; they’re both great whistles. For me, the Mellow Dog is a little harder to play the lowest note or two (they want to flip into the second register). My Hoover is a little harder to play in the second register (requires more push). Both makers have excellent reputations and will take care of you.
Mack Hoover’s site is:
http://www.mackhooverwhistles.com/frame.htm
Gosh, I hope that wasn’t too much information - I’m sitting around the house on a Saturday morning with nothing to do!
Jason
Thanks for the advice. I am thinking about going with the Freeman tweaked mellow dog. Does it really matter much whether i get it with a D or C body? It sounds like a great whistle and a good average price.
thanks again,
Grant
There are generally two ways:
- Just go and buy any whistle you see
- Buy the best instrument you can afford
Some will advise the first way, others - the second one. So it’s up to you to choose, but both ways ake OK.
Don’t worry about your first whistle too much - you’ll have a plenty of them soon 
And it’s better to get a D whistle first.
If you get a Mellow Dog, that will be a D whistle. I recommend adding the C body because it’s only $5 more and it’s a very nice player. While D is the most popular key, it’s always nice to have a C as well.
What you’ll get is one whistle head that will fit on both the C and D bodies.
Jason
If you’re looking for a real musical challenge, take up the uilleann pipes buddy!
Otherwise a Feadog, Oak, Sindt, or Generation should suit just fine. 
I bought the first whistle I saw. An Acorn whistle. I have no idea if it is good or bad but I like it fine and the better I get at playing in general the better it sounds. I think if I had bought an expensive whistle first off it would just have made a more expensive racket. The whistle is a very democratic instrument. Just get started!
Yes, get both the D&C body. Whistles are like Lays potato chips. You can’t just have one.
Let us know how things go. Please be sure to mention how the family and the pets like your whistling.
So i ordered my first whistle. I went with the Freeman tweaked mellow dog with just the D body for now. I will let you know how the playing goes. Thanks for the prompt replys and all the info.
Grant
Good choice.
The good thing about getting one of Jerry’s tweaked whistles is that you know it’s been tweaked and tested, so it’s playable. That takes the “bad whistle” problem out of the equation.
You’ll know the problem is you!
Let us know how it works out for you.
Jason
Welcome to the way of the Tin Leprechaun gish2282!
You will find out quite quickly that the whistle is just the beginning. Although the Freeman Mellow Dog is a good start!
As an experienced musician, it might seem like learning the whistle is like a quick treck to the top of a grassy knoll and, in fact, you will get there briskly without raising a sweat. But lo! the vista beyond is like the Himalayas! The Tin Leprechaun dances ever onward beconning and sometimes you will loose sight of him, only to see the glimpse of a green coat-tail disapearing around the bend way, way ahead. Your life will change - you will learn to be part goat and develop an appreciation of scenery. Don’t worry - the nostalgia for civillisation and comfort soon fades.
A worthy challenge 
It doesn’t really matter; you’ll either lose interest or end up owning every whistle ever made..
Philo
you’ve come to the wrong place…
no one here will try to stop you,
Google Whistlers Anonymous
…nope that didn’t work 
just buy one, the next dozen or so will be easy
One of the nice things about tin whistle is that a cheap one can be played well enough for one’s enjoyment, unlike an instrument such as a fiddle! I have some Jerry Freeman tweaked whistles coming to me soon. Everyone praises them so much I think you and I have made a good choice. I started on a Walton I bought at an Irish tourist shop in Maryland. After a few months I got 2 clarke sweetones in c and d and then saw a whistle in a local music shop - the clarke original and bought that too. Just over a year since my first whistle now and am moving up to Jerry’s tweaked whistles and can’t wait to get them! I’ve ordered Generations Bb, C, D, Eb and mellowdogs c and d! WHOA is both a blessing and a curse. May the force be with you!
Here’s a place on the East Coast that you might want to try!
Harp and Dragon in Corland, NY
http://www.harpanddragon.com/pennywhistles.htm
Skip the 5$ whistles and go for the:
Dixon Trad for 23$ or the one piece Dixon plastic for 18$ or the two piece for 27. These are all good whistles for a beginner or intermediate.
Here’s his website in the U.K. http://www.tonydixonmusic.co.uk/catalogue/dixonshop.html
Can’t go wrong there! Then head on over to Whistlethis.com and take some tutorials and start learning some tunes. You can also listen to people playing Dixon whistles on this website. Check it out!
I am also a guitar player. Whistle is my first woodwind. It’s a great instrument to play.
Nate
That’s a lovely list of whistles. I won’t opine further.
I am really excited now that i have ordered my first whistle, but having to wait now is killing me. I think i have read every article and thread, and i just want to get started. I hope it comes quickly. Thanks for all the info.
I think the wait for a Mellow Dog is usually about six months, so you’re in for a long haul…
Just kidding - mine came pretty quickly, less than a week I think.
Jason