With Guinness being about .20 percent (or more) of my regular bloodwork, I often find myself listening to and whistling (with me lips) Irish tunes. I have decided, when sober, to take up the tin whistle. I played wind instruments whilst in grade school but was better at playing than reading music. So my question is what key(s) of whistle should I start out with to learn? I taught myself to play the harmonica several years ago with a G,C, and an A. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
-Sean
Start with a D - the most common key. You can also play in G on a D whistle and with a bit of practice also in A.
G’day Kybeerman…
Go for a whistle in the Key of D..
This question is often raised in these pages and the answer always comes up D…
There are many choices of whistle but in my opinion,you’d could’nt get a better starter whistle than a 'tweaked ‘whistle from Jerry Freeman…
Jerry gets the massed produced whistles (Generations,Feadogs etc.) to play well by careful working of the mouthpiece and are very reasonably priced,considering the amount of work done…
Have a look at Jerry’s whistles at Doc Jones’ web site http://www.irishflutestore.com .Doc is a good bloke and I’m sure you’ll be happy with your new whistle…
Put down that Guiness and pick up yer whistle 
If you can already whistle Irish tunes by memory, you’ll find that very helpful in learning to play them on a whistle. Once I have a tune in my head, I can almost always play it right away on the whistle or mandolin.
You’re in for a lot of fun, mate!
First a D. Then another D or three. Then a C or two. Then a Bb. Then a flute. If you’re truly hard-core, it’ll be pipes next. Who needs a family anyway? 
If you’re in Ireland or the UK you won’t go far wrong buying yourself a Dixon trad in brass from www.bigwhistle.co.uk , think they are only about 15 or 20 pounds.
I second the motion for a Nixon D in brass- excellent bang for the buck I’d say.
Hee hee 
Every tune you play will be taped
but you’ll get no air play and be followed about by men in suits
gonna have to have a talk with my computer… meant a Dixon of course… if it was a Nixon you’d have all these gaps in the tunes that just come out of nowhere… 
If you cover all the finger holes with all your fingers and place the entire fipple in your mouth, you can use the whistle as a straw for your Guiness.