Hi, newbie whistler here!

[KNQuail]

Hey all, just found this place tonight and it seemed cool so I registered. My name is Kristin, I'm 28 and live in upstate NY. I've been playing the whistle since November....not playing well, but I'm slowly improving.

Songs I can currently play...Roddy McCorley, Ye Banks and Braes of Bonnie Doon, The Parting Glass, Scots Wha Hae, Amazing Grace, and Give Me Your Hand (well, almost...there are a few parts that give me trouble, but I'm getting there). Also just started working on Mo Ghile Mear, An tSean Bhean Bhocht, and Fainne Geal An Lae. I'd love suggestions for songs that are somewhat easy and good for beginners, as well as recommendations for instructional books/CDs.

Whistles I own...Oak Classic Pennywhistles in C and D, Dixon Trad in Eb, and Pipe Makers Union carbon fiber pennywhitle in D (my first whistle...purchased on a whim at an Irish festival before I knew decent whistles could be had for $10...). I really love the Dixon...I ordered it from Whistle and Drum and at the time they were out of the Dixons in D, but I am definitely going to get one eventually but the Oak D is working for me for the time being. I'd like to add a Bb to my collection soon...I've seen the Generations, but are there any other relatively inexpensive Bb's out there? Just want to know my options before I buy anything.

[Tommy]

Hi Kristin, welcome to C&F, and the exciting world of whistles. You have some nice whistles now. There are other Bb whistles, but the Generation Bb is very popular.

[pipersgrip]

Welcome Kristin, it is nice to have you aboard. This is the best forums out there. I just want to let you know, not out of rudeness, but so you can avoid some grouchy perfectionist giving you a lecture at a pub, songs are sung and tunes are something you play; like a reel, jig, or hornpipe. I am just telling you from experience, because that is what happened to me. What I am doing, is going to http://www.thesession.org/, clicking on the "Members" tab at the right column, then at the little tab in the top left corner click the "Tunebook" tab. There is a list of the most popular tunes in order. It really helpled me out in sessions at pubs. I would learn those tunes down the list, and the ones that you really like; you will learn them faster if you like them I hope that was good advice, good luck!

[KNQuail]

OK, I know the difference between a tune and a song...but what if you're playing an instrumental version of a song? Is it still a song, or is it then a tune? Most of what I'm currently playing does actually have lyrics...so are they songs, or tunes?

Thanks for the advice, I'll check out that website. I'd like to start learning some good Irish tunes soon. So far I've just been playing stuff that is simple and I'm familiar with...makes it easier to learn. Not necessarily stuff I'd play in front of anyone, just something to get myself familiar with the instrument.

[pipersgrip]

I am guessing it is a tune if you are not singing it, and just playing it. That is what the old coot was rambling at me about a while back. I am still not 100% sure on things like that. That is what is so great about here.

[KNQuail]

Well, I'll keep that in mind! Certainly don't want to start any trouble!

Checked out the session...very cool site! Glad to see they have sheetmusic for The Banshee...I've heard a few versions I like, and I'd like to learn it myself...even though I can't play anywhere near fast enough just yet!

[MTGuru]

OK, I know the difference between a tune and a song...but what if you're playing an instrumental version of a song? Is it still a song, or is it then a tune? Most of what I'm currently playing does actually have lyrics...so are they songs, or tunes?

That's a good question, Kristen. The term you're looking for is air - the melody of a song played as an instrumental tune. If it's a slow melody based on traditional sean nós singing, then it's a slow air.

[squidgirl]

I really love the Dixon...

I love my Dixon Trad too. It's my default whistle these days, though I also love my Hoover Whitecap with a Feadog body. I did used to have one even more favorite whistle, a Walton's which I had tweaked with great success to play softly yet sweetly... but I was cleaning it and the tweak came unstuck and though I put it back it just hasn't been the same whistle

I like softer toned whistles since I live in an apartment.

edited to add: Mack Hoover makes a Bb whistle that's not too expensive. It's definitely on my want-to-buy list.

[squidgirl]

The term you're looking for is air - the melody of a song played as an instrumental tune.

Cool, that's my learn-something-new for the day. Relevant bacause I like playing "song tunes" on the whistle, plus I never knew precisely what the word "air" meant (in a musical context).

[DrPhill]

Welcome to whistling and the Chiff&Fipple forum from another learner.
Both provide great entertainment and opportunities to learn

One resource that looks good, and I am not sure has been mentioned recently on this forum is the BBC virtual session:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/sessions/

Enjoy

[KNQuail]

Well, thanks for that, MT Guru! You learn something new everyday.

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone! I look forward to picking everyone's brain for ways to improve my playing. I have a few videos on youtube, but they're from over a month ago...I've gotten a little better since then. Hopefully soon I can do a few new recordings to share with you all so you can tell me what I'm doing wrong and maybe give me some pointers.

[Mason]

That's a good question, Kristen. The term you're looking for is air - the melody of a song played as an instrumental tune. If it's a slow melody based on traditional sean nós singing, then it's a slow air.

Don't you mean aire

(that's my attempt at humor! - viewtopic.php?f=1&t=65865)

[MTGuru]

Don't you mean aire

Or it's an err if you mess it up.

[riverman]

Welcome, KNQuail!
This is a good place to learn all kinds of stuff about whistling.
One book that was indespenible to me was Gray Larsen's "The Tin Whistle Toolbox." It has exercises, how to hold the whistle, ornamentation, and a few songs, all with a CD containing examples of everything. The sheet music even gives where to put ornaments, if you aren't used to them (as I wasn't).
Remember what our patriarch Dale Wisely has said: "If you can make sounds, you're a musician. If you like the sounds you make, you're a good musician. If others like the sounds you make, you're a great musician."
Very encouraging!

[KNQuail]

Welcome, KNQuail!
This is a good place to learn all kinds of stuff about whistling.
One book that was indespenible to me was Gray Larsen's "The Tin Whistle Toolbox." It has exercises, how to hold the whistle, ornamentation, and a few songs, all with a CD containing examples of everything. The sheet music even gives where to put ornaments, if you aren't used to them (as I wasn't).
Remember what our patriarch Dale Wisely has said: "If you can make sounds, you're a musician. If you like the sounds you make, you're a good musician. If others like the sounds you make, you're a great musician."
Very encouraging!

I like that quote! Though I think it puts me somewhere around...mediocre musician. I can tell I've improved over the past month or so, but I'm not totally thrilled with the sounds I make yet. The neighborhood dogs have stopped barking when I play, so that might be a good sign, and my dad says I play very well, but I think he might be biased.

I looked at The Tin Whistle Toolbox on sheetmusicplus.com and it looked pretty good. I think I'll get it. I've been playing stuff pretty straightforward, and I'd like to start adding some grace notes, rolls, etc.