How long have you played the whistle?

talimirr743 · Post by **talimirr743** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 8:24 pm

We havn't had a pole in a while, so I thought I would post one.

Congratulations · Post by **Congratulations** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 8:50 pm

Two years this fall, and I still have never been to a session, or even played with anyone who is even vaguely familiar with trad. I have listened to a WHOLE LOT of recordings, though, and I think it's coming together for me.

I still need to find a session, though.

Crevan · Post by **Crevan** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 9:03 pm

Congratulations wrote:I still have never been to a session, or even played with anyone who is even vaguely familiar with trad.

Same here. I've played for almost two years now but I sound like I've been playing a month.

Wormdiet · Post by **Wormdiet** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 9:06 pm

On/Off for 20 years or so, but never as a primary instrument. It's a great complement to pipes or flute though.

BillChin · Post by **BillChin** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:07 pm

About 15 years, almost every day during that period. I write songs, with over 100 in my "catalog," most of those during the past five years. The ironic thing is that on Irish traditional tunes I still sound like a beginner. I would not dare play at session. In all honesty, at this time, I have no desire to do so. The time I would need to spend to get proficient (and it is substantial), I would rather spend on more creative pursuits such as songwriting.

It is with my own music and a select few cover tunes that someone could tell that I've been playing a LONG time. I am blessed by my gift of music, both the performing and the composing. I have touched many lives with my music and continue to do so.

This year, I started on flute and that is taking time away from the whistles, but I still play whistle almost every day.

Screeeech!!! · Post by **Screeeech!!!** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:46 pm

Since January, and coming along nicely.

Bret · Post by **Bret** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 12:17 am

I have been playing just a little over 2 years myself and have also never been to a session

buddhu · Post by **buddhu** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:23 am

About two and a half years, and coming on slooooowly...

Katta · Post by **Katta** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:15 am

I started playing the whistle a couple of weeks ago and it's going alright, even though I havn't gotten as far as I wanted to because I don't have that much time to practice due to my final degree examinations...

But at least I've already been to some sessions (not playing of course

, but at least singing a few songs ) and will go to another one again on Friday. My friends are pretty good musicians and huge fans of Irish Music and they take me with them to these sessions - and help me decide, what whistles to get...

Turtle · Post by **Turtle** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:22 am

Not quite 3 months yet, but I must be doing fairly well, I haven't been
shot yet. Ive got about 25 tunes in my head so far. some sound quite
a bit better than others, but at least I can remember the tunes and
fingerings without having to resort to dots or sheet music.

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:11 am

At first it feels good to select 10-20 yrs. until I start thinking how little I've learned in that time.

jbarter · Post by **jbarter** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:17 am

Somewhere around the 30 year mark and I'm still cr@p. Thank goodness I have very forgiving friends.

missy · Post by **missy** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:24 am

I picked the 5 - 10, but I honestly don't remember when I bought one!

I don't play ITM, but use it for whatever songs I think it sounds good on.

oscartherabbit · Post by **oscartherabbit** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 6:34 am

Started with a Bb Gen (which I still have) when I was about 14, which is over 25 years ago now. I had just started taking trumpet lessons, and dad got it for me 'cos he thought it was in the same key. Or something. Picked it up and started playing (getting my hands the wrong way round in the process), and that was it. Don't remember when, but I got a D some time after, got Robin Williamson's book and a Bothy Band record, and it all kind of went wrong after that.

Started taking classes last year, but up until then was completely self taught.

izzarina · Post by **izzarina** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 6:57 am

I picked the 2-5 year choice...I've been playing now for about 2 1/2 years. I, like many others, have no sessions that are close by (well, there are some in Pittsburgh from what I understand, but that's almost an hour away), and I have found very few people that share my passion for the instrument in my geographic area. But I still try to plug away...maybe someday I'll be able to play well enough to let someone hear me play

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How long have you played the whistle?

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How long have you played the whistle?

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