Hi,
I’ve been playing irish music for awhile now, but I only have a tin whistle that probably isn’t very good sounding.
I want to start playing seriously, but I don’t know which instrument to buy.
Any advice?
Thanks. 
Depends what you are looking for! 
In all seriousness, How long have you been playing the whistle you have? And which whistle is it? Most here will say that you really do need to spend time on it, because most inexpensive whistles are generally ok. I think the joke is that you put it in a drawer for a year, and when you come back to it, suddenly, it’s not so bad! (read as: experience makes any whistle sound better.)
having come from where you are right now myself not long ago, I would suggest that you spend a few weeks playing on what you have, and read read read this forum, so that when you do want to make a purchase, you are more well informed.
My advice is a little different… My advice is to get a Jerry Freeman “tweaked” D and go from there. That way you haven’t dropped a lot of money and you have a whistle that is a known (good) instrument. Then, play a lot!
Pat
Freemans Blue Bird in d.
Or, Freemans Mellodog d.
For the price you get a great whistle.
Is it a whistle you’re interested in, as people are assuming so far? Or are you thinking of trying something else? It’s not clear to me.
You know…I think you may be right. 
Sorry, I guess I didn’t explain.
Yes, I was referring to a whistle.
tHANKS AGAIN.
Thanks for the advice. Now said I think you may be right. I will practice with what I have for now.
Oh, and to answer your questions, I’ve been playing for almost a year and a half, and I have a clarke D.
Does the computer count as an instrument? You can play a lot seriously! 
To James… listen to a lot of Irish music and explore which instrument(s) strike your fancy, read the forums, meanwhile, play your tin whistle until you can decide the journey to undertake. Enjoy it and keep it fun. 
While it has it’s own charm, I don’t think the original Clarke (not the Sweetone with plastic head) is an easy whistle for a beginner.
I’d second the recommendations for a Freeman tweaked whistle. Hang onto the Clarke though.
You’ve been playing that particular whistle for a year and a half? Then it is probably high time for a new one!
Well, when you ask which whistle to buy, everyone here will give you their choice of whistle(s).
I say burn the candle from both ends buying hi and low from least expensive to the most expensive you can afford. If you’re serious about playing it’ll set in anyway… that whoad thing. And its good for the economy. Keeps the forum going too. Just keep in mind that there are very good cheaper whistles out there in whistledom.
May I suggest an OAK High D, a wonderful whistle?
Why? What’s wrong with Clarke’s? (Besides the OP didn’t even say which one he’s playing…)
I just purchased a Dixon High D Traditional whistle few weeks ago. I must say, after about a week of working with it, I think it’s one fine little whistle.
I own the Freeman Mellow Dog C/D set & The Freeman Blackbird C/D/Eb set. Also, all great whistles. My only gripe on the Mellow Dog is that it wants to clog on me on a regular basis (even with the soap trick). The Blackbirds sound incredible for recording (in my opinion) and can really punch out some terrific music in the right hands. I’ve also purchased one of Jerry’s Low A whistles. I also find that whistle to be outstanding as well.
The Dixon D Trad. Seems (at least to me) to meet the same caliber of those whistles. In retrospect, I wish I would have purchased one of these right from the jump. It is very easy to play, intonated correctly, sounds good, and doesn’t clog much. It seems to require a little bit more air than the blackbird (but not much).
My experience has been that the Dixon doesn’t clog as much as the mellow dog. And for that reason, I prefer it over the mellow dog. However, the blackbirds are in a league of their own.. I would have to say the blackbirds are superior over the Dixon. But, they are not as easy to play either and like to clog up a lot too.. At least in my opinion any way.
Also, keep in mind that I’ve been playing the whistle a little over a year. Take that into consideration when reading my post as I am fairly new to the instrument.
Oh yeah.. Almost forgot.. The Dixon is a cheapie too at about $30!
My recommendation would be, learned the hard way from experience, only to buy a whistle you have tried. Any other way is courting disappointment.
I am a newbie, and was given some advice that proved useful. It was recommended that I get two different styles of whistles; that way, if I’m having trouble hitting a particular note, I can try it on the other whistle. I have been playing a Susato Kildare and a Freeman-tweaked Clarke Sweetone, both high D’s. It keeps changing, which whistle I like best; sometimes I can play something better on one whistle than the other (and bonus, they were both pretty cheap). Now that I’m trying to go from high back down to low notes, I’m finding I like the Freeman whistle best…
Anyway, I found lots of good info here: http://www.thewhistleshop.com/ (and, I ordered my whistles from here)
I would be firmly in the learn to play on the one type of whistle first camp. If you keep running to the other whistle each time you run into a difficulty you are avoiding the problem. It’s better to conquer the hurdle and move on to the next: progress.
Excellent advice on any instrument. Providing the instrument itself is not mechanically at fault (and if you’re a beginner you’re not going to be sufficiently experienced to judge that) the act of persevering and getting past the hurdle will improve your playing.
Learning to play an instrument to any decent standard is hard work, requiring dedication and time. I’m not a huge fan of the simplistic Malcolm Gladwell 10,000 Hours idea, but it has a kernel of truth, and the one worthwhile thing the game of golf has given us is the old quote ‘the more I practice, the luckier I get’ …
Yes, I have to agree with you here; but, having two types of the same whistle has really helped me. If I couldn’t hit a note on one whistle, I tried it on the other. It helps me get the hang of both, and is a little less discouraging. I am mastering each note/exercise on BOTH whistles before moving on, though. I play both equally well right now- and am getting used to how different whistles play (and sound). If I’m getting frustrated, I switch to the ‘easier’ whistle, then come back to the ‘harder’ one.
I probably would be on one whistle right now, if trying them before purchase was an option; but, there’s just nowhere near me that sells whistles.