If our Navigation Bar does not appear here when the page is fully loaded, click here.

Recommended Whistles, Tutorials and Sets For Beginners

   Whistle is a great first instrument, and on this page we give some of our recommendations for people just getting started. Keep in mind that even the most inexpensive whistles are capable of all the ornamentation and range that a more expensive whistle is.

We always recommend that you stick with a Soprano D for your first whistle. If you'd like more info about keys, see our Online Tutorial, or our FAQ Section.

We also recommend that a beginner get at least two different whistles to start with, if possible. This way, if you have any trouble when learning (for instance, if you're having trouble hitting a certain high note), you can just pick up the other whistle to determine if the problem is the whistle or not.

Recommended Sets (Includes a Whistle in D) -

• Mel Bay Starter Set - Includes Original Clarke Whistle, Tutorial, CD and Song Book.

• Walton's Starter Set - Includes Walton's Whistle, Tutorial and Cassette.

• Clarke Boxed Set - Includes Original Clarke Whistle, Tutorial and Cassette.

• Clare Whistle and Tutorial/Songbook - Available with a One-piece or Two-piece whistle and a Tutorial/Songbook.

• Guinness Whistle Gift Set - Includes a Guinness whistle, basic Tutorial and CD. This set is good for someone that already know the basics of reading sheet music.

Recommended First Whistles -

• Meg by Clarke - This is an excellent choice for a first whistle. It has a happy, round sound, and is played quite easily in it's entire two octave range. This is the least expensive good playing whistle that we know of.

  Sweetone by Clarke - This is an excellent choice for a first whistle. It has a happy, round sound, and is played quite easily in it's entire two octave range. Also be sure to take a look at the "Tweaked" Clarke Sweetone.

  • The Celtic Tinwhistle by Clarke

  • The "Meg" by Clarke - Very inexpensive, but still an excellent whistle. A great choice for a first whistle
     

• Dixon (Tunable or Nontunable) - The Dixon is a great whistle for a beginner. It plays well in both octaves and has a wonderful sweet tone.
  
   

• Original Clarke - Tin, with a wooden fipple (the block in the mouthpiece). This one give you the classic "Tinwhistle Sound", but does require more air to play than the whistles with plastic mouthpieces. If you'd like a whistle that retains the unique Clarke sound, but requires less air, take a look at our "tweeked" version .

  •  Victorian Singing Games. This is a Natural Original Clarke in a gift box that includes a number of games that young children can play and sing along with. Perfect for Day Care or Sunday School!

 

• Walton's "Little Black D" - This is one of the least expensive whistles on the market today, and is the whistle recommend by many instructors for new players.
  Walton's Irish Whistle - Available in Brass, a favorite of traditional Irish players.

• Walton's Guinness Whistle - This is a "Little Black D" whistle, shipped in a gift box, with the Guinness label on it, and a large fingering chart and song sheet.
   

• Susato Dublin Model - Made of ABS plastic, this durable whistle is played easily throughout its entire 2+ octave range.
  Susato Kildare Model - A tunable version of the Susato whistle.
   

•  Clare One Piece Model - Made in County Clare, Ireland. Plays easily in both octaves.

• Clare Two Piece Model - Very portable, this whistle can be broken down into two pieces. This is the same model seen in Lord Of The Dance.

• Silkstone PVC Soprano D - a Whistle Shop exclusive in the U.S.! This is the first whistle from our "High-End" category that we've recommended for beginners. While it is an excellent whistle for beginners, we still would usually recommend picking up one or two inexpensive whistles to start with, to help you decide the type of instrument that best suits your needs.

 

Recommended Tutorials -

• You Can Teach Yourself Tinwhistle - Includes Tutorial and CD.

• Step One: Play Pennywhistle - Includes Tutorial and CD.

• Complete Irish Tinwhistle - Includes Tutorial and CD.

• Whistler's Pocket Companion - Includes Tutorial and Cassette.

• Fun With the Tinwhistle - Includes Tutorial and Cassette.

• Children's Tinwhistle Method

• Tinwhistle for Beginners

 

Recommended Low Whistles -

Be sure to take a look at our Low Whistle Page before deciding if a Low whistle is right for you!

• Dixon Low D (Tunable or Nontunable)

• Susato Kildare (make sure to take a look at the "Medium-bore" Susatos)

• Susato Dublin

• Kerry Low D

We also recommend that you take a look at The Low Whistle Book (includes CD)

©Copyright 1998-2006 The Whistle Shop
Privacy Statement      Return Policy      Affiliate Program