Tutorial video which demonstrates scales

[Dog Whistler]

Hello again.

I am making slow progress with my practice and went looking for alternative ideas to those put forward in my Feadog-supplied guide book.

I came across this video: Penny Whistle Lesson 1(Key of D)

It begins with the basics: breathing, blowing, finger positions etc. then she demonstrates scales and runs through them all, emphasising going slow and thinking about breathing. This was what caught my attention: the scales part. My current book doesn't go into this, whereas this video makes the point that you should know "where everything is" and run through scales as part of your practice.

Anyway, again, same question as in my last post: is this a good reference?

Additional question: what one good book for learners would you recommend?

[ytliek]

Anything that gets you to practice playing the whistle is good. It takes work and discipline but keep it fun. There are several tutorials to search thru here on C&F. One consideration is Ryan Duns:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0Xf1Um ... D4&index=9

[Feadoggie]

Every one of us learns a bit differently. As has been said if that video helps you then fine. Whatever it takes to get you going.

I would also recommend the Ryan Duns lessons and videos. Just to let you know there is more from Duns than just the YouTube videos. He has a blog which will help you to go through his material in a rather logical order and he provides notation to many tunes in the videos. His whistle tutorial blog starts here. http://tinwhistler.blogspot.com/2007/11 ... eek-1.html

I don't find books to be particularly useful in teaching the nitty-gritty basics of how to play the whistle - unless they come with accompanying audio or video material with sufficient detail on how to do things properly. Just my opinion. It is a difficult thing to describe in words what it takes to play an instrument. A video, a face to face lesson or a Skype type of lesson is worth much more than a thousand words. It is best to see, to hear and to then to do what is required. Feedback is important as well. Most books are not much more than collections of tunes. And the tunes are easily found on the Internet.

Nothing beats a whistle workshop to get you going, IMO. Depending on where you live it may be an easy task to find one or maybe not.

If it is books you seek, Mary Bergin's tutorials may be a bit different. You might want to look into them. http://maryberginwhistle.com/root/tutor.html I don't think anyone will argue with Mary Bergin's credentials as a whistle player or teacher. I have no experience with the tutorials but I can vouch for the teacher well enough.

Grey Larsen's Essential Guides also have some good information in them. http://greylarsen.com/webstore/books/ Not my cup of tea but it seems to have been useful to other folks.

Otherwise, there is a lot of information available throughout the Internet - some of which is better than others. Anyone can be an expert these days it seems. But I see you have the knack for asking about what is good or not. Brother Steve's website has helped some folks get started. http://www.rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/

Listen to a lot of well played whistle music. The more good stuff you hear, the more you will absorb (hopefully) which should also facilitate the learning process.

Enjoy the journey.

Feadoggie

[Dog Whistler]

Hello again, thank you for the references and sorry for the huge delay in saying so!

I had come across Ryan Dun's videos and thought him very good. Didn't realise he had lessons, as well. I've been slowly wading through Brother Steve's site, but have to limit my time there as I end up looking like this:

Thanks again for the references.