Yay! I just ordered my first two whistles, a Clarke Meg and a Clarke Original. I really wanted the Celtic or Sweetone, but my husband already thinks I’m nuts. He’s not very musically inclined, and when I told him I really wanted a set of Uilleann pipes, but I’d settle for a tin whistle, he said ‘Speak English to me.’ I said ‘I am, sort of.’
Anyway I figured I better start out with the cheapest I could find first, to lull him into a sense of complacency before I really start shelling out the dough. I’m not so much inclined towards the expensive whistles. It’s just that I want one of each, in every key. Well, maybe just D, G, and C. Possibly A. And E…
I’ve barely begun, and I’m already obsessed. Doesn’t take me long to get hooked.
I started with a Clarke Original C and still enjoy it, though I now have as many whistles as you see in my avatar, with several costing much more than the Clarke. Even “expensive” whistles are a lot less money than most other instruments. For most people the time factor is bigger than the money element. Meaning that practice time, or just fun playing time is what makes a musician better, much more than $$$. I always tell new players to try and play every day, even if only for a few minutes (such as during TV commercials). A little bit every day is more effective than a big chunk of time once a week.
If you are looking for a full set, the Syn brand gets a lot of positive comments. Syns cost more than Clarkes but are a lot less money than most quality handmade whistles. Whatever you choose, enjoy your music.
I like the Clarke originals because I tend to be a “physical” player and overblow most whistles. I also like the lower whistles (G, A and low D) for the same reason.
…and Bb, and Eb, and F…
Oh, and you gotta have about a dozen just in the key of D.
But seriously, get as many keys as you can, especially if you plan to play other music besides just Irish Trad.
Welcome, T! It’s good to have another Ohioan on the board. As for WhOA, it seems like it’s too late to save yourself. So do what we all do…indulge! Buy as many whistles as you can! BUY MORE!! BUY MORE!!! Ok…sorry. Lost myself there for a minute
Welcome! If you’re hungry for whistles, you’ve definitely found the right place…
If you’re looking for an inexpensive set of whistles in the most common keys, consider a Generation set.
At the same time you order it, you might consider getting yourself an Oak D and/or a Feadog D as in the past Generation has had some quality control problems with their D whistles.
However, a good Gen D is a wonderful whistle…if you luck out and get one of those, it’ll be worth the price of the whole set and maybe then some.
Oh, thanks for all the great responses! I’m so excited about my whistles. I really would like to play low whistles, but I know it’s better to start with the sopranos. Ba-da-bing!
I definitely will need more Ds. Once I figure out how to play, I’d love to play at my church. I have a friend who plays clarinet and I think it would be a blast to do duets.
Maybe I could talk my husband into learning the whistle, too. Fat Chance!! When I say ‘whistle’ he thinks ‘Half time!’
Well, mostly it’s the Celts’ fault. I’ve always loved the sound of bagpipes, and I’ve always wanted to learn to play. However my family couldn’t afford even piano lessons, which unlike every other child in the world, I was desperate to learn. Anyway, I was in a show recently called the Christmas Music Spectacular, in which a piper is featured. So I talked his ear off. Or more like, I wanted him to talk my ear off about the pipes.
To make a long story short, I figured out that the sound I was hearing that I thought was just a different kind of bagpipe was actually Uilleann pipes. I still prefer the sound of a Highland pipe, but for my purposes, I think that the Uilleann pipes are more practical. You know, more practical compared to a set of war pipes than say, a trumpet. It’s all relative. And the Uilleann pipes have a sort of haunting sound to them. If you know me at all, you’ll know the more depressing and dark the feel of something, the more I like it.
The more I read about UP the more I read about whistles and some page said that almost all Uilleann pipers play some sort of whistle. To me a whistle was some high-pitched goofy thing I saw in movies. I came to realize that the whistle is a pretty versatile instrument. It can be used in duets, ensembles, and by itself beautifully. And so I’m dying to learn how to play.
I also think it will be a great tool in sharing my faith. My pastor is a very pro-active pastor in that he inspires us all to share our faith continually. I’m not very good at talking about it, but I can sing a song, and hopefully play a tune soon, about God’s love. Perhaps I can use it to help other people understand that we all are given different gifts to use for the glory of God. Mine happens to be music. Others can write, or speak, or paint.
I plan to buy a lot in D pick my favortie then buy them in every key.
Whoa is not only for whistle you know I have Bpoa (Bagpipes) it seems I have this urge to learn how to play more and more different Bagpipes right now it is only the GHBs.
Or should I say “It’s too late for us, but save yourself!” 
