I play the piano and read music and I’ve always wanted to learn a wind instrument without having to sacrifice huge amounts of time away from the piano.
I found the perfect instrument and I’m excited about the whole learning process. the fact that I love Irish music helped me decide on the tin whistle.
I bought a couple whistles to set me on my journey. A Jerry Freeman tweaked Mellow Dog (d) and a Tweaked Clarke Sweetone (d) and a tweaked generation (d).
I love them all btw but you know how it is, when you’re starting on something new. I need this ooooo this one looks good, oh my I must have that one too
I went to youtube and tuned into Father Ryan Duns tutorial, and also saw a tutorial on the Whistle Tutor. In addition I have the Clarke tin whistle book and session web site etc etc.
I was wondering if I could get some recommendations on a good course of study. I feel a bit spastic with all the resources and I would appreciate some guidance.
I have at least an hour to dedicate everyday to it. I know the d and g scale so far and the hardest thing is covering the holes. I’m feeling comfortable switching on notes everyday.
Should I stick with Father Duns and then go to the whistle tutor from there?
I don’t know that you particularly need a step-by-step course of study. Play some tunes, get what you can out of the sites you’ve mentioned, and LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN!
Welcome to the world of tin whistle and welcome to the forum!!
First of all, you said this:
“I love them all btw but you know how it is, when you’re starting on something new. I need this ooooo this one looks good, oh my I must have that one too”
That is called: “WhOA” (have you already read about it?). It’s the Whistle Obsessive Acquisition disorder, and it’s quite dangerous!!! (I can speak by own experience, be careful).
Ok, now, regarding to the methodology of study…
I started to play whistle about 4-5 months ago. I have a teacher, but I learnt the basics without her help.
How did I do it?
First of all: Ryan Duns’ videos (in YouTube). Those helped me a lot to learn the basics and my first simple tunes.
You have seen whistletutor as well, that’s a nice webpage.
Another very good and complete is Brother Steve’s tin-whistle pages http://www.rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/index.html
I recommend you to read it after watching the Ryan Duns’ videos and knowing at least the fingering and the simple stuff.
After all of that, I think you’ll be ready to keep learning tunes. From the easiest to the not-that-easy.
I watched Ryan Duns’ videos as well. Although I’m a beginner on the tin whistle I’ve played the ocarina before so I already knew the basics of cuts and taps (never did rolls on it though) and some breath control (it varies with every instrument but it’s easier to adjust now).
I don’t really follow a course, I watched Ryan’s videos and followed some of his advice on techniques, but I didn’t follow the course step-by-step (meaning doing the basics first, then doing the cuts, then the taps, …). I keep hearing people say listen, listen, listen so I do. Other than that I just pick a tune and practice it, starting with the ‘skeleton’ and adding stuff as I go along. When learning a new tune I also find as many examples of it as possible and listen to other players’ ornamentation, variation and style, pick pieces of those I like and try to implement them myself.
Oh yes, I read about the acquisition disorder. I’m trying to keep it in check for now but I already have my sights set on a Burke whistle after reading tons of literature. That’ll come when I get better or tomorrow whichever comes first. he he
Thanks for the advise all. I have been doing a lot of listening and I’ve been tackling some music on my own.
I will take all the advise you guys give me.
I would love to find other tooters in my area but I don’t seem to be able to hit on anything. I’m in Jacksonville Florida if anybody know of any web sites that I can hit to see if I can find people who play the whistle.
You said that you play piano and you read music…
You can record some videos playing irish tunes in the piano, don’t you? Not an order, but a suggestion
One of the easiest ways to learn when having played another instrument, is trying to play the tunes you already know. As you already know what it’s supposed to sound like, you’ll be getting the basic of the tunes down fast.
I found there was quite a jump in the Ryan Duns tutorials. All of a sudden they became too difficult. At that point I just decided I’d play tunes, whatever tunes struck my fancy.
I got my first list of tunes from people at the session. And whenever I heard one I liked I would ask for the name and go home and try to learn. Or if I heard tunes on my iPod that I liked I’d try to learn them. Just whatever strikes my fancy. That seems to have gotten me going pretty good.
Also the Fliuit Tutor is useful. It is a flute book (with CD) but really good for teaching where to breathe (although you don’t have to breathe quite as much on the whistle.)
And I’ve looked at and used all the online resources already mentioned. Just have fun. Enjoy it. You probably learned piano like I did – with those books that progress you through various exercises, etudes, concertos and whatever else until your teacher pronounces to be at such-and-such level and ready to move on.
Since you have a classical background you might want to pick up Grey Larsen’s tutor on Irish flute and whistle. It tends to work well for those that can already read music. I enjoyed it myself and I found it worked for me.
It has CDs so that you can listen along with the exercises.
“Whistling And Peace”
“A Tale Of Two Whistles”
“Whistling Heights”
“The Scarlet Whistle and The House Of Seven Whistles”
“Pride and Whistle Prejudice” (particularly popular around here)
I learned a huge amont by reading “The Tin Whistle Toolbox” by Grey Larson. It’s featured on the main Chiff and Fipple website. Breathing places, cuts, strikes and rolls are all notated–it helps. Comes with a CD too!
I do have the tin whistle tool box on order it should ship any day now.
I carry a tin whistle in every bag and purse I own. My husband wasn’t surprised when I was practicing scales on the way to the movies.
It’s funny the advise on ornamentation Toddlemm. I’ve been doing them everyday from the whistle tutor but haven’t tried incorporating them yet. I want to feel comfortable with them first before introducing them as you suggested. I think if I were to try to do them right away I would end up being frustrated.
I’m really enjoying it, it’s a far cry from the stress the piano learning experience brings.
Loved the recordings Dianne.
I thought an hour was not enough, I live a pretty packed life. I work full time, then I have to come home and spend 2 hours on the piano, tend to a house, husband and two wonderful Airedales, fit in my exercise, meditation routine and try to get a little reading in before going to bed. whewwww
I think I might have found a club to join. It’s a dulcimer and psaltery club (i play the psaltery as well easy easy instrument) and they’re excited to get a whistler in there. weeeeeeeeeeee
