The BEST Beginner Tin Whistles
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- čas přidán 7. 03. 2021
- What makes a good beginner tin whistle? Here I'm breaking down my 4 favorite beginner instruments (and why I like them) and locking in on a top choice.
Clarke Sweetone: amzn.to/3i7KjDR
Feadog Pro: amzn.to/2Oa5V8S
Generation: amzn.to/3eqg4c2
Woodi: amzn.to/30jUeib
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If you are allergic to nickel/brass jewelry, be very careful when purchasing a tin whistle. Even coated whistles can cause severe allergic reactions.
So which ones are without nickel? Any tips? Cheers
Is it the nickel that's the problem or brass ? I play a Tenor Whistle from Howards of Sheffield that is 2/3 brass and 1/3 tin (the tin takes reverberating "ting" out of the sound) and I'd hate to think people might have problems with the brass.
@@healingenso7923 Nickel is a very common allergy, so that'd be more likely to cause problems
@@RosAureus - thanks. I live and learn :)
Clarke whistles are all (both the Original and the Sweetone) made of tin-plated steel. I don't know whether the steel has much nickel in it, but (as I said) it's tin-plated, and enamelled on top of that. So I'd guess that a Clarke would probably the best "cheap whistle" choice if you have metal allergies.
That said, there are a number of plastic whistles, some of them quite expensive (for a whistle: typically $60-$120), and some not so much (a Susato Oriole can be had for ~$35). They have a characteristic "plasticky" tone (although that isn't as bad as you might think), and Susatos have a reputation for being VERY LOUD, but they have no metal in them at all. So if you don't mind paying enough for ~3 "cheap" whistles, and you have either good soundproofing or tolerant neighbours, a Susato is your safest bet.
3:00 Generation Scale
3:14 Generation Song
3:25 Sweetone Scale
3:38 Sweetone Song
3:50 Feadog Pro Scale
4:03 Feadog Pro Song
4:15 Woodi Scale
4:31 Woodi Song
The first one I bought was the Sweettone D, but when I got it realized how loud this instrument really was, or at least I perceived it as loud. Basically due to my anxiety about disturbing my neighbors I couldn't relax and practice, so I put it down and didn't touch a whistle for an year.....until I discovered the Parks Every Whistle, it's polymer, so it sound a bit more mellow, but what made it usable for me was the "tone ring" which is basically a mute and it can make it sound as silent as a whisper, it looses tone as a result, but its better than not practicing at all. I recommend it to anyone with the same problem, it's a bit on the pricier side, for a whistle at about 80$, but also it sounds like a well made whistle, or at least I think so and the ability to practice at any time is priceless to me.
Never heard of that one, sounds interesting though!
@@whistletutor Yeah, it's good, the bad thing is the tone worsens the more you mute it, but it's a great confidence builder. Once I built said confidence and started playing on full volume, or close I couldn't stand the low volume...although some people on youtube actually make it sound decent on the lowest volume, so it might be me and my skill level.
@@georgirusev4378 would you recommend it for a complete beginner? They have a new version with a slide that lets you adjust the pitch so that you can lower the volume without altering the pitch. I really really want to learn how to play the tin whistle but I already get anxious when I play the recorder because I know my neighbors can hear me, so I end up practicing for a few minutes and then I stop. I'm worried it would be the same thing with a whistle.
@@NeilaSanD Yes I would, after a month with it I stopped using the mute, cause I've build enough confidence to play it at full volume. Keep in mind that while it sounds really good it doesn't have the traditional tin whistle sound, but it's mellowness might be a good thing too.
@@georgirusev4378 thank you so much!
Just purchased a Clarke Sweetone this weekend and I'm enjoying it a lot!
Ended up using this video as a reference to purchase the Sweetone myself. Thank you for making a video like this. I like the sound of the Sweetone more than the others. Here goes the start of my pennywhistle adventure.
MY first whistle I ordered was a Dixon DX001 but was taking too long to arrive, so I ordered a Clarke Celtic Sweetone and that is what I played first. I absolutely love the mouthpiece on the Clarke... there is an almost unnoticeable groove where the lower lip rests under, and I like that feel. If I could magically pop that onto the Dixon, I would be in heaven.
Feadog Pro was definitely my favorite! I like the lower sound.
I started with a sweet tone and loved it.
I started out in an odd way. When I was looking at a flute from Eric the Flutemaker I saw his "double flute" and tossed it in my cart on a whim. I didn't know what a tin whistle was at the time (I always heard of them as toys) but the double flute was a double tin whistle. It was fun to play. But very loud, awkward to play one side, and required so much breath. I decided I wanted to learn. So I did a lot of research. Your channel and Cutiepie helped a lot. Went with a Sweetone. I enjoyed it greatly. But I find the one I have to be very finicky. So I treated myself to a Killarney as a reward for surviving last year. I love it, and it is what helped me learn breath control most. The Sweetone has to be spot on to sound ok. The Killarney has more range, and being able to play with that to find the sound I want is what made things click. Now I can play the Sweetone without thought. These days I play both, and ones that I made myself.
Killarney is my favourite brass whistle for sure, they're really easy and enjoyable to play.
I started, buying several whistles from Erik. But they're not tunable (I use the Soundcorset app on my phone and I assume it's only as good as the microphone in the phone) plus I'm not a huge fan of carbon fiber.
Not the first whistle I got, not my current whistle either - but I think the Tony Dixon DX001 is a great starter whistle, too.
It's not too loud, it's easy to get to the second octave, they are definitely reliable. I think the ornaments are lovely and clear on it, too
Started with a Dixon DX006, which is maybe a little more expensive than those shown in the video, but it is tuneable. Also all the points above :)
I first got a Feadog original (green tip, brass), and then ordered a Clarke Sweetone online, mostly because it came with a small beginner book, cleaning cloth and tube brush (good for metal whistles). At first I found the Sweetone to be easier to play, but after a little bit more of getting use to it, I ended up liking the Feadog more. I was overblowing easier on the Sweetone it felt like, and the Feadog just seemed to sound better to me after getting more comfortable with it. This wasn't with too much playing either, just simply getting more comfortable. (As a clarinet player, it took a sec to get use to breathing SO softly). I recently got a Tony Dixon DX005, and have been loving it so far! Just need to find a good soft bristle brush to clean the inside w/o scratching it.
I am quite surprised you had the Woodi though. I ended up buying a twin pack of the Woodi's that came with a D and C, and a lovely little case too. I had high hopes for them, but I found the 2nd octave to be really hard to play. I had to blow much harder than any of the others, and even then it was not consistent. I did like how the how the low D note I could actually blow quite hard and it would stay in that lower octave range, but that didn't seem consistent with the other whistles, so didn't want to get too comfortable with that. Curious on your thoughts on this. Also, if you have a recommendation on something to clean the interior of the Tony Dixon, that would be great! (I ordered some flute cleaners, but they ended up being too thick!) Thank you for your informative videos!
I started a few months ago with a Feadog D. It was what was available at my local music store, and so far I really like it. While this is my first tin whistle, I did play recorder and clarinet years ago in school. I'm looking forward to future whistles, but so far I'm happy with what I've got.
I started w/ a Feadog myself. Recently got a Tony Dixon DX005, and have been loving it! Nice little upgrade at not too much cost.
Having owned most of the "cheap" whistles available over the last 10 years, I can say without hesitation that the Sweetone is the best for a beginner. It plays in tune with itself effortlessly, its tone is consistent all the way through both octaves, and switching between octaves is both amazingly easy and very controllable. Compared to a typical Generation, my Sweetone almost plays itself. And Sweetones have a reputation for consistent quality: you'll get a good instrument every time (unlike Generation, whose quality control is infamous: most (90-95%?) are fair, but a Good One is sublime, a Bad One is unplayable, and there are probably more Bad Ones and Good Ones). That said, lots of people object to the seam along the Sweetone's bottom, though I got used to it quickly; its tone is sort of a love-it-or-hate-it thing (I quite like it myself); and it "fades out" on the lower notes, such that the D and E are inaudible in recordings I've made with ukulele accompaniment (the uke being a fairly quiet instrument itself). But still, at ~$10, I'd say it's worth a try.
I started with a Feadog about 15 years ago, it was a decent first whistle but I agree with your assessment. Then I bought a set of brass Generations and was really quite disappointed. The only one I still play out of that set is the Bb. After that I finally got a Clarke Sweetone and was thrilled with it straight away. I wish this video was around back then because I probably would've progressed a lot faster instead of thinking I just wasn't good at playing the whistle 😃 Clarke Sweetone is the best beginner whistle and I still play it often, I even own several more now with different colors/celtic design. 👍
The generation was a great whistle "WAS" I agree the only decent one now a days is the B flat . Never cared for the conicle bore on the sweetone or clarke though the sweetones play well . .Feadogs are decent
@@jerryseaton5239 Yeah that conical bore was a bit strange for me at first but I've really come to like it. I have a Carbony whistle with the conical bore too and it's fantastic.
When I first started I played Generations .They were the only game in town and The Chieftains played them . They must have worn out the molds cause they ai"t got it today
It took a while, but the sweetone was the one that when I got it, made me want to get better.
I started with a Clarke Sweettone and I think it's amazing for getting you started. I know exactly what you mean when you say it has a "hollow", airy sound. It's not inherently bad but I find I want a "fuller" tone now. Cheers!
Just ordered a sweetone before watching this video. Happy with my choice now. 😊
I made one from copper, and althow, a little heavy I love the thing. All copper with wood plug in D. It is very durable for backpacking and such. Great fun! Thank you.
I love my feadóg irisí whistles always will
TY for the video.
Thanks! been learning recorder and have been interested in whistles. The Sweet Tone is on sale at Amazon, so I snapped one up.
The woodi reminded me of a Susato I owned a while back. It sounded great, except the upper octave could easily get shrill.
I like the sweet tone , I had an old one I purchased a long time ago and never learn to play. I found it recently and started learning how to play it, I was really bummed when I smashed it in my car door. I bought another one, it’s a little different somehow still nice though. And I couldn’t find my original color I liked
I have Sweettone Clarke D . It s good for beginners🤙🏻
I have Clarke Celtic. It's nice whistle for beginners
I was fortunate enough to get a Sweetone tweaked by Jerry Freeman before he stopped tweaking Sweetones, and that's still the first whistle I reach for every time. It's gotten a bit beat up over the years, but I treat it with extreme care these days. I'd be distraught if it broke!
Thanks for this. There are different populations that come to the instrument and each probably needs a different whistle:
1) Basic amateur player, not really a musician and is what I would call a hobbyist. I think this video is exactly for this group.
2) At the far opposite end of the spectrum is a serious recorder player who has played Irish music on recorder and now wants a whistle. They know a lot about how to make a fipple flute work and they need a suggestion for a semi-pro instrument to start on.
3) Then there are other traditional wind players, flute, woodwind who know some bits of how to make a whistle work but not others.
4) Maybe another category for non wind players.
I got a few right off the bat, the sweet tone, woodi set, and two others I forget now.
Will be great fun testing them all out.
I have a Clarke Meg and I prefer it to the Sweetone though technically they should be the same. I think its the paint finish that makes the difference, so its the one I always reach for. I also like my Dixon DX001 but my favourite, when the neighbours are out, is a Shearwater from the UK, wide bore with bagpipe fingering.
The first whistle that I really liked after buying several different brands was an Oak. Still my go to whistle.
And I seem to be leaning more toward a C whistle..
I started on traditional Clarke’s but never liked the chiff. Breath wasn’t so much an issue for me as I’m used to playing instruments with a much bigger breath requirement (clarinets, saxophones, and the large varieties of the same). I then got a set of generations which were ok but I hated that their workmanship was so inconsistent. I ended up getting a Dixon DX005 and I loved it but as I start to learn more technique it fails in terms of stability. The Sweet Tone is what I got my kids to teach whistle and I like them perhaps more than the Dixon.
I actually liked the warm sound of the Woodi. But then again I’m here because I want to learn to play and I know nothing yet. I know of no instructors here in Northern Virginia
From among the four you played, I liked the feadog pro the best. I own nine whistles in different keys, and my favorites are far away my high D and low D by Alba, a Scottish company. Very expensive, with a much more mellow tone, made of aluminum alloy.
But! The mellow tone is not always desired in a session in Ireland. The brasher tones of the cheaper flutes cut through the pub sounds more easily.
I think I liked the Sweetone best, which is good, since I have one. :)
I bought Clarke Sweetone a while ago and it was a Valentine's special edition so it's pink. I actually eant to buy another Sweetone in a different color and the Celtic one too but Clarke's website is being weird and I can't find the purchase options on the website (I bought my whistle directly from the company's website).
I agree that Clarke Sweetone is a very good choice for beginners. Its sound is pretty sweet like its name, inexpensive and pretty colors and fairly reliable quality from the company.
The Feadog pro and Woodi sounded nice too and seemed on the right pitch, well tuned (is that how you say it? Not sure).
You didn't mention the various keys they come in or the tuneability. What key would work playing with a group of enemies drummers ?
In this demonstration the Woodi sounded best to me.
But if one is in the states and looking for a quality craft whistle that's very inexpensive, I like the Becker Whistles or, for a bit more, Timothy Potter whistles. But especially the Becker's if you're looking for a quality to expense ratio
I've never tried either of those - I'll put them on the list to check out!
I don't know how i got here. Definitely didn't expect a serious video
My hands are small and fingers can’t cover big holes. I had to return a shakuhachi and NA flute. But a prefer lower tones. I ordered a Sweettone to start with. Being a flute and oboe player I’m not concerned with air but am concerned with the sound. I need mellow and not shrill. I wish I knew how low I can go before the holes will be to big.
If you have the money, check out the Carbony Celtic Winds Low D for small hands. Octave below the standard high D whistles, but they use "chimneys" to get the finger spaces amazingly close together.
I've bought all the cheapies and a couple of the Dixon polymers. But I keep going back to my Sweetone. I just ordered another Clarke--the "Play For Ukraine" charity edition--which appears to be the same model as the Clarke original, just with a blue and yellow paint job! Hope I like it at least as much as my Sweetone.
My second fave of the lower price whistles is the Feadog Pro--only $2 more than the original and, to me, it sounds nicer and is easier to play.
I think a good beginner whistle should be cheap and windy. If it takes too much breath control it gets frustrating. Beginners often blow harder than necessary and it takes a while to learn to finely control pressure. I found my Susato Kildare to be a good beginner whistle (better than my Generation) even though it has that recorder tone. As I got more control I prefer my McNeela Wild for both breath and tone. I understand the Killarney is the same. Recently I picked up a conical Clarke Sweetone to try a conical whistle but I find it much more sensitive.
Update: Just ordered a "Gary Humphrey Stealth", can't wait to try it!
Good luck with it, I'm sure it'll be lovely!
You are the best,😂
I dont know what whistle to get? Im just wanting to try this instrument and am not planing to get serious with it. What should I Get?
I started with a Feadog pro in d, but then moved up to my Mellowdog freeman, now every time I touch the Feadog I’m convinced i broke it somehow cause it just sounds so bad in comparison
I just bought a clark C sweetone and it's not tuned, is there a way to tune it? Please help me, I really need to tune it. Thank you!
Definitely, just adjust the mouthpiece away from the holes to flatten it, nearer to the holes to sharpen it. If it doesn't budge, run it under some hot water to soften/break the glue that's holding it in place.
Great comparison! As a novice I have all of those plus a Dixon polymer which I seem to go back to for its mellow tone and pleasing air needs. Now, I'm stumped as to a next level B Flat whistle. Lots of folks love Carbony but I'm not ready for that investment. Any thoughts for next level solid B Flat in an affordable under $200 range? I have a generation which is okay. Thanks!
I have a rather nice PVC Bb from Becker Whistles which was around $20. The aluminum Bb by Gary Humphrey, $140 is sweet. I have PVC D from Goldfinch Whistles in Poland which I very much like. I assume their Bb is of the same quality. They're right between Becker and Humphrey at about $60. Reyburn and Burke are probably around $200. I have D's form each and a very nice F from Mr. Reyburn. I haven't checked their price in a while though.
Definitely check out Killarney for a Bb whistle, I have their D and Eb and they're fantastic.
Thanks for the suggestions, All. I'll check these out. Cheers!
@@sahamal_savu I really like my Killarney D!
@@carolineharris1358 Sean very much promotes Humphrey' Whistles.
I have the Clarke Sweetone and the Clarke Celtic. I find that the Clarke Celtic is easier to play low octave and the Sweetone is easier to play the high octave. Overall, I think the Celtic is easier to play because the low notes on the Sweetone needs very careful breath control and the low notes are much quieter than the high notes. But it does have a nice sound that is very (very) slightly nicer than the Celtic. Both are much easier to play than the Clarke classic, which needs a huge amount of air and sounds very breathy.
3:14
3:38
4:02
4:30
#2
The Feadog sounds “proper” 😊
Clarke sweetone... Mouthpiece is very comfortable
Cheap key a whistle?
Enjoyed and valued your video; however, don't BLAST your music interludes when I have volume set to hear your normal, clear voice tone. I have a musical ear. Pretty pleeeeeze. Thanks.
Deifinite Feadog.
Sweettone sounds best
Unfortunately....the Feadog was best in terms of the note not sounding as rough
the doll behind you is creepy
oh yea, nice vid
I'm glad someone spotted it :)
I didnt like any of them. If I had to chose one it would be the generation. But I think the Tony Dixon whistles beat them all as an inexpensive whistle. But if you have the money get a Lir, Kilarney, or Wild, you cant go wrong with them
Hahahahaha to the Woodi! What a piece of rubbish.
Can a beginner learn on an alto whistle? And if so, which brand is cheap but not crap? Thanks
I dont know what whistle to get? Im just wanting to try this instrument and am not planing to get serious with it. What should I Get?
You must be joking...
If not - I suggest you watch the video. Your answer is right there.