Lír Whistle Review & GIVEAWAY!

[@jamesmcdonough7414]

What got me into tin whistle? I wanted to learn the Celtic Flute, checked you out and you suggested learning whistle first. I bought a used Milligan D and have had a ton of fun learning from and with you since then! Thanks for all you do!!

[@andrewwigglesworth3030]

What's a "Celtic flute"?

[@jamesmcdonough7414]

@@andrewwigglesworth3030 another name for Irish Flute?

[@andrewwigglesworth3030]

@@jamesmcdonough7414 Calling them "Celtic flutes" is ridiculous, at least "Irish flute" is simply inaccurate.

[@jamesmcdonough7414]

@@andrewwigglesworth3030 Fair bit of time on your hands these days, Wigglesworth? Here's a link to someone who seems to know his way around a flute who uses both the ridiculous and inaccurate! www.martindoyleflutes.com/celtic-flutes.html.

[@andrewwigglesworth3030]

@@jamesmcdonough7414 Tell me how 19th century orchestral and concert flutes, a more powerful development from baroque Traverso flutes, are Celtic? They were eventually edged out of orchestras by Boehm style flutes in the 19th and 20th centuries. What is it that makes them "Celtic?". (btw. it can't be Irish traditional music, because that's not Celtic either). Could it be that this is a ridiculous appellation that makes no sense whatsoever? Also, what is it about the 19th century English flutes, made by the likes Ruddall and Rose, Boosey and others that makes them "Irish?" These English made flutes (and later 20th/21st century copies and developments) are the ones that were taken up by folk players in the later 19th century. What is about these flutes that makes them generically "Irish?" Generic terms could be "flute", "wooden flute", "simple system flute", "folk flute", "5 keyed flute" etc. Remember too that there are other music traditions (including closely related ones) that use these instruments. Why deliberately try to exclude them?

[@charlesmorley7825]

My father bought me a Clark in Limerick for my eighth birthday. I'm seventy now and still playing it, and learning new tunes every day. I could really use an upgrade! Thanks!

[@melindadossantosandersson2094]

I pretty much had a "fuck it" moment. A few years ago I just got tired of letting my preformance anxiety keep me from playing an instrument I had been wanting to learn since I was a child. So once I finally had enough of my brain messing with me I bought a whistle and took to youtube to learn the basics. The sound of it makes me happy, I love fantasy, and I love being outdoors, so the tin whistle just fits right in.

[@PegeCovers]

Performance anxiety? I don't really get that if you're playing by yourself.

[@Ignacio.e]

I started playing tin whistle after discovering what sessions were. I was very attracted to Irish music and the sense of community that was generated around it. Now I play tin whistle and recently purchased a 6 keyed flute and I couldn't be happier about it. Irish music is already a part of my life.

[@ucanteach7831]

I used to play tenor sax but then became disabled with a neurological disease that also affected my breathing. After cruising around KZbin I focused on the Irish tin whistle which I love. I firsts bought a Dixon DX005 and a Kerry Chieftain low D custom. Can’t afford lessons but follow as many people like you as I can find so that I can learn. Your channel is excellent and you are so generous with sharing your expertise with us all, thank you 🙏

[@JohnnyD683]

I am teaching myself the tin whistle. I started out playing the native american flute but when I happened upon your site it opened a new Avenue of playing enjoyment. I have really enjoyed your tutorials and listening to your playing

[@maarten3743]

Originally started because I was looking for an instrument to take along on hikes. Little did I know most whistles are quite hard to play outside, but I'm so glad I started playing this beautifull instrument!

[@yiannidemo6587]

I started learning tin whistle 9 years ago. I was on youtube browsing Greek music (I am Greek), and the "related" videos section eventually branched off into Irish music. A couple videos in, I noticed the beautiful whistle and decided I had to get one. Then I bought a Clarke Sweetone for $8. The rest is history! Sean, your content is awesome. Please keep it up!

[@irgendwonurwann]

I grew up in a fairly poor family, but was always interested in all sorts of music and all sorts of instruments. So one year for christmas, my mum bought a box full of relatively cheap instruments for my siblings and me, containing Blues Harps, a melodica, Jew's Harps, some useless junk she got off eBay and, you guessed it, a tin whistle. We all could test out and play around with all the instruments and I fell in love with the whistle, and irish tunes and thus I'm now here!

[@evansides6394]

I attended a music festival as a child and fell in love with the fiddle, whistle, and bagpipes. Eventually, I took up the highland pipes and played for several years until I moved into an apartment. At some point I picked up a Generation D and I am now really getting into it. It's nice to get my music fix without having to worry about being evicted ;)

[@patgordon113]

You are the best ornament teacher, demystifier, I’ve seen online; you move slowly & isolate the variable. Thank you! Others plow through leaving one to guess & say, oh forget it. Some tunes: Give Me Your Hand, She Moved Through the Fair, Foggy Dew (Down by the glen i went one morn) The Stone Outside Dan Murphy’s Door, for starters. THANK YOU!

[@gudlib9867]

I started learning the instrument a year ago, in May, during a pandemic. At work, we started quarantine and everyone was sent home for a month. That's when I realized that this was a great chance to get to know this beautiful tool better! I ordered the simplest Feadog D because Tin Whistle is very low in popularity in Russia because of which the choice of tools is very limited. After studying for a couple of months, I realized that this love was for a long time! Now I'm stubbornly continuing to study with the teacher and I don't even think about finishing! Thank you for your work and for giving you the opportunity to learn this tool much better! I was pleased to level up with a better instrument!

[@wfox98]

I found an old Clarke whistle in a drawer at my parents' house and decided to have an experimental play before (I thought) giving it away. Several months later I'm practicing every day with the help of your videos - my first tune was Fraher's jig, which has remained my favourite. Learning the whistle and diving into traditional Irish music (Mary Bergin is now my hero!) has been a great pleasure during lockdown, and I hope to find musicians to play with when I start my masters degree in music later this year. Many thanks for the excellent tuition!

[@AemirahPWI]

💕What got me into the tin whistle?💕 I always loved the sound of the tin whistle/flute, but never had the opportunity and resources to learn an instrument as a child. I haven't had any musicians in my family and I've never had a lot of money as a student. Over the years I tried a few instruments through friends, none of which had cast a spell on me, but when I got my first tin whistle (some weeks ago after I watched some videos of you) as a gift, it was clear to me that I had found some kind of soul mate. We simply connected and it all sounds very cheesy, but I play it every day and my dad says I'm making presentable progress. I love the tin whistle because I can take it with me wherever I go, like a good friend. My tin whistle is in D and I am excited for other keys I did like to try out one day. I dream to be as skilled as you, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the many videos that help me a lot. I especially feel passionate about the traditional Irish songs, and lately I try to practice medieval songs, which helps me on it's cheerfully way to escape the corona-reality around me.

[@ShaneMcFerran_]

What got me into tin whistle in the first place? Your youtube videos inspired me to learn the tin whistle and I love all the tutorials on your channel as it really helped me. I've been saving up for a while to buy a lír whistle, and you playing it today is going to give me the confidence maybe to go for it!

[@cindyleppington9112]

I went for a trip across the pond to Ireland and bought a whistle as a souvenir, tinkered with it a bit and put it down. Then covid hit and I found it was stressful serving the public in these times. I picked up the whistle and it relaxed me and gave me joy, eased my anxiety, was like meditation for me. I took a few online lessons over Zoom. I play every day and am getting better. Then I got a low D and it is fun too. I just love learning this instrument.

[@joniwilmoth5826]

I played the clarinet and piano when I was in high school and more recently took up the recorder, but never liked the sound of it. I came across one of Cutie Pie's videos about six weeks ago and decided to try the penny whistle. I have been enjoying it so much that I already own seven whistles. I think it's going to be a wonderful hobby for me and great a way to remember the joy of music. Thank you for all of your wonderful tutorials and reviews.

[@savannemaas8451]

As a kid I was in love with celtic music and only a few years ago a friend of mine gifted me with an original clarke. I haven't put the whistle down since

[@jakeharkins7972]

as someone just getting into whistle for the past year now, i've enjoyed your videos so much! Thank you!

[@seirbhiseach]

Guess I'm entering then. I started learning back a few years ago when I licked up one of those souvenir whistles you get from the gift shops of historical sites and all. We'd always listened to traditional Irish music at home, so learning by ear was the swiftest way to learn new songs, low and behold it's the way you're "supposed to learn them." Now I've expanded into guitar and banjo, but I've always enjoyed tin whistle above all else.

[@heebieggs]

Im asthmatic and was once a longterm smoker. A couple years ago I had a health scare and decided to stop smoking. It was hard though, very hard. I picked up the whistle to give me something productive to do with my hands and my breathe, that would also help my memory, while still allowing me to "hold that thing in my mouth" in a similar way as I had a cigarette for years. It was hard at first, I'd nearly pass out from playing for very short lengths of time, but I've been steadily increasing my lung capacity each day with practice. Nothing now gives me more peace and tranquility than just sitting back and belting out some tunes. Your channel has helped immeasurably in that regard too.

[@dustintaylor4515]

I was in the school band as a kid and really had the urge to play an instrument again. I've always enjoyed the energy of Irish music. So once I found the tin whistle community it was a no brainer and I began to learn to whistle. Thanks for all the help with learning this art!

[@joereynolds3061]

Thanks for the straightforward reviews and the new set of lessons. When I first started playing the whistle, I didn't realize how much technique and nuance went into playing the whistle. Over the last year my respect for the instrument has deepened. I am learning so much about the instrument, the music, the tradition. And your videos have been a big help.Think seriously about an intermediate series next.

[@arundevincere8268]

I just picked up the tin whistle a few months ago. I searched for fun instruments to learn and quickly found that I adored the sound of the tin whistle! I'm looking forward to how much more I'll learn in the coming months!

[@wireless_cow]

Can't wait for thr ultimate battle between all Sindt-inspired whistles

[@rickcadger2553]

The fact that most of them seem decent is a tribute to the original design.

[@christopherschissler1675]

Always enjoy your channel! Have messed around with bamboo, transverse flutes and wooden recorders for years until I discovered the penny whistle and started collecting them. I like the volume, tone, portability/durability and ease of playing. Celtic music and bluegrass go hand in hand and youtube made the journey a lot easier. Am truly grateful for all the tutorials and music available to sample from so many talented and friendly folks that so willingly share their passion. Thanks for hosting this channel!

[@markbarker8339]

Looks like an excellent piece of kit to enspire me on my whistle journey, thanks for your laid back and cool tutorials, Shaun

[@des8616]

I stumbled onto whistles quite by accident, just as the pendemic started to hit. I grew up playing the recorder as a kid. Well, hadn't played it in years, and had pulled my old recorder back out to give it a try. I was specifically looking for sheet music for the song "Federkleid" by my favorite group "Faun". The ONLY thing as far as music for this song I could find, was a KZbin tutorial by a fabulous young lady "Cutiepie", who had worked out how to play Faun on a whistle. So I watched, thinking I could somehow make it work on my recorder. Well, after watching her tutorial, I was utterly HOOKED! Love at first sight. Within days I found a Clarke "MEG" second hand, and started annoying my family, LOL (I know practice in my car or on campouts with my Boy Scouts - they are a lot more forgiving). Thanks to her and YOUR tutorials, I feel like I have come a long way in just over a year. I can not describe the JOY and the PEACE learning this instrument has given me! It has definitely kept me sane in these crazy times. And it has taught me something else: have the COURAGE to try something new. Don't worry about how you sound to others. Just enjoy the journey. I have since also picked up the Native American Flute, the lap harp, they Quena, AND -thanks to your videos - an Irish Flute. I found most of these also quite by accident, during different trips to local thrift shops, but was inspired enough by then to just buy them and give them a go. I still have miles to go on all of them, but ONE DAY, I will be good enough to find a local session to join. So THANK YOU for all the great videos and all the time and hard work you put into them!

[@michaelbuckborough3412]

I haven't gotten into tin whistles yet, but I have been fascinated with my Irish ancestry and especially the music. Coming from a very musical family learning a whole new style really makes me appreciate those who have spent decades of dedication to their craft and I aspire to one day achieve that admiration from someone.

[@doomednecro]

I think one of the first times i consciously saw and hear the tin whistle was in the movie war of the buttons, after a small speech a few of the kids start playing a tune and dancing to it. It sort of gave me the image of a more whimsical and lively type of music and instrument, must have been less than 8 years old when i saw that and it just stuck with me. Thank you for all you do for people trying to learn from a distance and in places where this kind of music and instruments are more exotic, Mexico in my case.

[@randomvielleuse527]

I got my first whistle at the Seattle Folk Life Festival over thirty years ago. I had just properly discovered folk music through my then-boyfriend/now-husband/partner and he suggested a whistle for a relatively low stress entry to the genre. It was a Generation D, which I still have over thirty years later. I went from whistle to singing harmony and doing simple stuff on the whistle to accompany my friends. Not long after that I was playing gigs with my soon to be husband and, despite intense stage fright, was really enjoying myself. Cut to today and I'm still playing whistle professionally, have Copeland whistles in D, C, B flat and octave G, plus Dixon whistles in A, D and E flat (just in case...). I also play hurdy gurdy and bodhran now and then. Gurdy is my main instrument these days but when you need a whistle that's what you need!

[@alexnavar]

Have been playing the tin whistle for more than 20 years. Living far from the trad scene (I am born and raise in Rio de Janeiro) it was hard to get my first whistle (actually, still is due to the exchange rate) but luckily a friend from Irish community brought my first whistle. I became mesmerized by the music of Mary Bergin and Joanie Madden since then. Good channel by the way. Hup!

[@kristiano3923]

My mom, in the early 90s, bought her first CD, which happened to be "Celtic" style music which included whistle and flute. I liked it a lot. A few years later, she brought home from a thrift store an odd little flute, which I took to right away. It turned out to be my first tin whistle😁

[@Lyrazel]

I got into tin whistle because I've played the flute since I was a kid but because of my health problems I can't play flute as much any more. Whistles are easier to blow and hold but has the same fingering as my keyless flute and as a plus they sound absolutely magical. Like a little fairy birdcall or something. I'm so glad you did a review of the Lír whistle, they seem like fantastic little instruments. I've been wanting to get one since last year and this video further confirms that the Lír is definetly the one to save up for.

[@marvinpatrick4824]

I play guitar, mandolin, & bass, so I decided it was time to go down another path. I just started learning tin whistle 2 months ago, and I can't get enough of it. Thanks for all the great reviews and tutoring. And thanks for letting all of us have a chance at the Lir whistle.

[@orthbyorthwest]

A friend gave me a whistle to learn 2 years ago, but i play because of your channel. you have made the music very accessible.

[@OwenGood]

Originally bought my first Feadóg High D as I was due to study music going into secondary school (high school in the states?) about 10 years ago now, within about a year I started performing professionally with my father (singer and guitar player). I'm entirely self though and come from a folk music background rather than staunch trad, so I have some... bad or "unique" habits lol. Been watching your videos for quite a while now, a lot of whistle players on KZbin don't have any idea what they're talking about, that's why I've always loved your channel! Your drumstick holder idea for the mic stand was a life saver, bought two of them! I've been playing a nickel Killarney High D now as my main whistle for... too long, it's covered in electrical tape where my thumbs have worn away the finish and its become oxidised, but it's hard to put down a whistle when you find one that suits you, even buying another Killarney has me worried as each whistle tends to have a mind of it's own! I've had my eye on Humphrey's whistles for a while from your recommendation, but I'd love to try the Lír! All the best from Ireland 😃

[@naali1648]

I've always loved the sound of tin whistle and flute melodies in movies and tv-series and one day I decided to try to see if there's any good videos about them in YT. I discovered your channel and have enjoyed your playing ever since. It didn't take long for me to order an cheap entry level tin whistle to give a try myself and I haven't regretted that decision. I love playing it.

[@BevWhelanMusic]

Hi, thanks for this review, I am definitely interested in getting a Lir whistle now! I started playing whistle many years ago, back in the 1970s, inspired by my older brother Kevin who is a fantastic fiddle player. I grew up listening to the Chieftains and the Dubliners, and was totally mesmerised by Mary Bergin. I've been playing ever since, and will never lose my love of Irish traditional music. There's a definite whistle revival going on right now, which is great to see - it has inspired so many incredible new insturments to be made. Back in my day, it was a Generation or nothing!

[@MolesDigHoles]

Grew up singing Rattlin' Bog with my dad in the car and was left with a big soft spot for classics like The Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, etc. Learned violin in public school but I always loved the sound of wind instruments and tin whistle seemed like a really accessible entry point. Still working on building the basics but I've had a lot of fun learning both some simple reels and celtic tunes from video game soundtracks! Cheers to you and cheers tolady luck ~

[@hoboanimals93]

I bought a cheap (but nice) Tin Whistle after I discovered the Dutch Band "Rapalje" some month ago. I start to learn it by myself and now I'm addicted to this instrument.

[@abigail843]

First got into whistle when I was really young - my family is Irish, and I grew up listening to traditional Irish music, recently (like 2 days ago) I bought a whistle and finally decided to jump in and try and learn to play the music that I grew up listening to. The lessons on your channel are so helpful ahh! Thank you so much! I am so excited to continue learning to play the whistle!

[@soslothful]

I was very glad to see you review a Lir whistle, I had considered purchasing one but a few very poor reviews on C&F made me reluctant. Your review has made me reconsider, the whistle seems very nice. And a new whistle would encourage me in my practicing and playing. Current goal, a set of tunes ready to present in a local brewery/restaurant for St. Patrick's Day 2022.

[@phillipowen1625]

I broke my back 10 years ago and I have just started to develop the shakes in both my hands so I thought it would be therapeutic to learn the Tin whistle for controlling my fingers. I like your information on the tin Whistle on your KZbin Chanel. P.S. not a sad story, if I didn't break my back I would have never had time to be Ordained. Cheers Rev. Phil

[@jamesmcdonough7414]

Wow!! That is an inspirational story!! God Bless you, although you may say He already has!

[@seangriffin444]

Been a subscriber for some time now and love the channel! I started playing the tin whistle in my mid twenties and quickly realised that it was what I should have been doing all along. I'm from Clare in Ireland, so the question really is why I hadn't started playing earlier. All my favourite musicans play the whistle including Michael McGoldrick, Paul Roche and Kevin Crawford. I love being able to play in sessions now and love learning the craft

[@IliaTyukavkin]

Before I start I would like to say sorry for my English! :D Already 8 years I am collecting different musical instrument. Some years ago I ended musical school (guitar and domra), but it wasn't enough for me! After that I started playing ukulele. Later I was all about making cover-videos. I did arrangements for different instruments, I bought kalimba and melodika. And finally, 2 years ago I saw Dryante's YT channel with a lot of covers. THAT'S WHEN I FELL IN LOVE WITH WHISTLE! I bought the cheapest one and began to learn Irish culture. Of course, one of the most important reasons for playing whistle was my love for games :) Music in Witcher, Lineage, Elder Scrolls and etc. is incredibly wonderful!

[@timothyallen1362]

Thanks for providing this great review - the Lir looks impressive! I picked up the whistle three years ago to accompany my daughter in Irish dance. My whistles are all Tony Dixon.

[@danielvunora2070]

I’ve always loved Irish music being part Irish myself. The sound of the whistle is calming to the soul. Just started playing a month ago and having a fine instrument as this would inspire me even more. Glad a found your channel and refer to it daily. I’ve started my journey with the Clark Sweet Tone “D” My lunch hour is now something to look forward to.

[@dawelocklear]

Hello Sean, I started learning playing the tin whistle just recently, originally on a whim, but I quickly realized how much I liked the instrument and decided to be more serious about it. After many years of playing the piano, the whistle is a great new adventure. I'm very happy I found your channel which is an amazing source of so much useful information. Thank you for that!

[@ZigOutdoors]

I started playing whistle as part of a study I did while working on a PhD at Eastman. It was writing a paper on Irish Pub Sessions in the area. Ultimately I took up whistle because everyone I interviewed said I would never get the feel for sessions without participating. It's been many years since then and I played a Jerry Freeman tweaked Generation for most of that time. I purchased a Killarney in brass last year when it became clear the cracks forming in the Generation plastic would eventually ruin it. I wanted to retire my personal "old faithful" before it became completely unplayable and I'm happy to say that while I rarely play it anymore, it's still chugging along thanks to a lot of super glue and electrical tape! I've got to say I'm very impressed with the tone on the Lír. Based on design I figured it'd sound much more like other Sindt clones, but it sounds more pure and less chiffy to me... perhaps closer to a Burke than a Sindt/Killarney/Wild. It's tough to be certain when listening through laptop speakers though. I'm curious: How is the balance on the Lír? I'm sure you already know the tune, but I'd love to hear you play Mason's Apron!

[@diannepantojas338]

I am so grateful for online lessons for the tin whistle. Absolutely no one in my area plays or in some cases ever heard of a tin whistle. I have to order from the UK to get good whistles and that takes awhile.

[@Ahnatar]

*waves from Chattanooga* I got interested in the whistle back in the mid-90's. I began exploring Celtic music after hearing the local PBS station's weekend show (Celtic Harvest, still going strong), and that led me to one of Joannie Madden's albums, and that was all she wrote. Since then I've built up a collection of whistles and play in two local bands. Great channel, keep up the good work!

[@fuurthur]

Hi Seán, I'm a guitar player, and during this bloody lock down, I found an old generation red top C whistle, and I discovered that I can get a tune out of it. I've really enjoyed your concise witty vids.

[@flierefluiter5844]

Always liked folk, all kinds of folk, and completetely fell in love with the dubliners. Because of them I purchased a clarke original, and have been playing every single day since

[@WhistlingDoc]

Been playing whistle more seriously for about 10 years now, but I technically started with a cheap tourist whistle, unbranded with a loose wooden fipple around the time I started concert flute. The song In Dreams from Lord of the Rings was the first thing I learned. I've since gone into more traditional music.

[@brienzee]

looks good. your beginner series has helped me out tremendously. always looking forward to a new video. I'm not sure what got me into tin whistle. I bought a walton when I was in Ireland and it it had been sitting for a few years and I picked it up again a few months ago. I love Irish music and I'd eventually like to get a flute once I get the fatigue whistle down more.

[@alienorbt]

I think that what got me into the tin whistle is my passion for Irish music, but what decided me to buy my first tin whistle was my will to finally pick an instrument I liked after trying more "classic" ones such as the guitar then the piano. Yet ever since I played my first tune on my Generation whistle, I have never stopped playing as I finally found an instrument that corresponds me and that I can learn on my own, at my own rhythm. So thank you for making these videos which greatly help me in the never ending process of learning!

[@CelticBearWoman]

I have always loved Irish and tinwhistle music. I got connected thru my Irish roots. I just bought my first professional whistle, even though I'm a beginner. My adult son adores Irish tin whistle too. I will present this this one to him.

[@levelazkoz8528]

I started playing flutes and whistles as a child. I ended up studying classical flute in Madrid, Amsterdam, and New York but always brought my whistles with me wherever I went looking for sessions and sharing my Irish music passion with my new friends from all over the world! I have to say the sessions at Mulligan's Irish Pub in Amsterdam get the prize!

[@TheMtnmamma]

It’s fun to read let’s get other people in to play in the whistle, it is such a beautiful instrument and I appreciate your you tube tutorials so much. I played the flute many years ago and I always loved it as well as the Irish whistle , I picked up the fluid again after many years when I had knee surgery and finally decided to learn to play my inexpensive Whistle I had bought Many years ago, I am having so much fun learning this instrument. That was nice of Lir to send a giveaway... someone will be blessed !

[@picardy1907]

What a fantastic resource you have given us with your videos, thank you. I've played, and still play a number of instruments and genres of music, over many years and just love traditional folk music, all at a very amateur level. I would love to hear you play 'Drowsie Maggie'. I can play it once through ('straight') and then it falls apart for me when I try to play any subsequent repeats, and I can't play many ornaments (cuts, rolls etc), particularly at any speed. I love the speed and clarity that many of the professionals demonstrate - I wish.... if only... Currently I play a Clarkes high D and and a Chieftain Low D. Keep well from England.

[@willvinson1893]

I started playing the whistle when I first got into the Dropkick Murphys. I saw a video of them playing on a radio show, and Scruffy Wallace (left in 2015) was playing the whistle, which I had never seen before, and therefore was intrigued. It looked fun, I liked the music, and it was a change from the three string instruments I already play, so I went ahead and bought one. My first ever tin whistle, which I still have, is a Clarke Original D. Love the channel by the way, probably my favorite whistle resource.

[@darrickyee7202]

I recently found your channel, and it's been so helpful in exploring my interest in playing the tin whistle. I've always enjoyed Irish and folk music, but I fell in love with the sound of the tin whistle when I visited Ireland before Covid. I spend a good amount of my time there just hanging out in pubs and listening to sessions. That being said I don't know how my family is feeling about my practicing. :)

[@Vespie]

I've been watching your videos for about a year now, having picked up the tin whistle during lockdown here in Colorado. Still feel that a lot of your stuff is beyond my skill, but I keep trying and improving!

[@pegelpaule]

Thats a hell of whistle, love it. I played bass for many many years in metal and rock bands and i wanted to try something completely different. I always loved irish music and ordered a Sweetone to begin with a few weeks ago. It is so fun to play and doing some other stuff than pulling strings. Now i am enjoying your beginner course and your stuff on Patreon. Thanks a lot and cheers from Germany

[@67MercuryXR7]

I use the same tuner ... actually love it! Works well. These whistles look great!

[@munyones]

Almost 20 years have passed since last time I played my whistles (in quote an amateur fashion). They sit at my Mom's now but I miss them. Hence I subscribed and watched your channel. Maybe it's time to get them home again. I used to find cheap Generation "flageolets" here in Spain, but I wanted better whistles, so everytime someone traveled to Ireland I asked for a D whistle for me. I have a collection, from cheap to medium qualities, mostly D tuned. Time for picking them up again.

[@mowzrascal2350]

The witcher 3 video game is what got me into the whistle and ultimately, trad music. Cloak and dagger, kaer morhen, and a story you won’t believe are amongst the top tunes that reeled me in

[@eliselauterbur2636]

I listened to Thistle and Shamrock religiously as a kid, and picked up whistle because it was similar to what I already played. Been playing on and off ever since.

[@solstise]

I'm currently on the hunt for a whistle I could hold on to for many years, and failing to choose just one between all the options! Thank for your review, I'll definetely add this one to the list to meditate on to (or I'll just end up acquiring one of each material and brand, who knows)

[@yoggi79]

I got into the tin whistle when I was young with Bryan Adams and the Corr's MTV unplugged show. I started to listen to irish traditionnal music at this moment, as I fell in love with the sound of these instruments. Finally, more than 20 years later, I have decided last september to learn the tin and low whistle! I take lessons at the music school. First tune: the Kerry polka.

[@ymrtzgmz]

My best friend got me a whistle and it is one of my favorite treasures! ;)

[@hectorkoa]

Hey!! I'm from Spain but my parents love Trad Music, so they were playing some Irish music albums for me before I was born. Maybe, that's the reason why I loved it so much while I was a kid and probably why I picked up the flute when I started my music studies at the age of 8. A while after, I got my first whistle. Years later, when I visited Ireland for the first time, I got an Irish flute and more whistles! :)

[@emilynightingale7758]

I got my first job when I was 16 and basically used all the money from that to buy instruments on ebay. I happened to buy a generation Bb which I loved and never looked back. Now I'm studying classical and folk music at university with whistle being one of my main instruments.

[@smithrooks]

Thanks for the video and giveaway! Definitely a fancy one this time. I'm a classical flautist and heard the tin whistle in various music videos including Toss the Feathers (The Corrs), Dunmore Lassies (Rapalje) and Fee Ra Huri (Omnia). Decided to get into it and learn the intricacies of Irish trad playing!

[@jboulderct]

I was looking for something portable to play and something to get me started toward the Irish Flute. Tin Whistle seemed the perfect intro. Turns out to be an amazing and fun instrument on it's own. So now I work on both. Found your channel pretty much immediately and, here we are.

[@brianp.2245]

That’s a beautiful looking whistle! It sounded great, as well, or at least as best you can tell through KZbin. I’m sure it sounds even better in person.

[@neromir9898]

I only started playing a few months ago while teaching a friend how to play the guitar. I got to borrow his tin whistle so I'd have something to do while he practises. By now, I know quite a few songs, and this channel has really helped me

[@nickpatten5263]

I’ve been listening to a lot of Irish music lately and am researching Irish whistles before I buy one. I’ve watched a few of your very informative videos too, thank you 🙏

[@liamhickson7412]

Hey Sean, I wouldn't mind you going through some hornpipes, maybe The Harvest Home? My first tin whistle exposure was a Peatbog Faeries gig here in Melbourne about five years ago. Absolutely sparked my imagination seeing a highland piper pick up something other than a practice chanter or bagpipe, so I bought a cheap Waltons from a music shop. Here I am now enjoying your videos, getting lessons via Zoom, and pining for that Lir!

[@planxtypipes7990]

Great vid as always and awesome giveaway!! For me it was the combination of discovering the Chieftains, stumbling across a session at a local pub, and the Thistle and Shamrock radio program on NPR that did it. All three things happened virtually simultaneously. Took a while to buy a whistle and jump in...but that was the catalyst.

[@jacobherdmusic2751]

I started learning tin whistle a few months back during our 2nd lockdown, and your channel has been such an incredible resource of information. Thank you Sean!

[@sandragee4690]

Oh my what a gorgeous whistle 😍 I have started tin whistle this year but have always enjoyed traditional Irish and Scottish music. I used to play recorder but decided to buy a Clarke sweetone and was converted! I love the fun, flair, and freedom of folk tunes on the tin whistle. I have also started teaching my kids to play.

[@yaizamartinez6686]

During lockdown I spent hours playing my whistle and it became my most special entertainment...!

[@peersius9782]

What a beautiful instrument... With this i could finally finish learning cooleys reel!! Thanks for all your videos, they are a huge help!

[@flattenedgravy1]

Awesome, I pulled out my old tin whistle today to play with my kids and have really enjoyed your channel!

[@GodOfReality]

I'm actually brand new to tin whistling and all of it. My first tin whistle (the Clark Sweetone) is due in the mail tomorrow. Not related to the pandemic, but I'm about to undergo a big change in my life, changing a lot of habits and activities I've done for the past decade to something different, that I hope will be better. In high school I played in band and I enjoyed it, and recently I've decided that the direction I'm going to change towards is one with more music in my life. I've been exploring learning singing for the past few weeks (I'm a natural bass, woo) and youtube randomly recommended me a video by CutiePie on the tin whistle. I knew nothing about it other than my dislike of most higher octave wind instruments but after exploring her videos and more, I've discovered... that I actually kind of like the sound of the tin whistle. Big surprise to me (still hate the recorder lol) but a pleasant one. I am very bad at ear training, so to have a cheap, portable, small, simple instrument that I can only play one note at a time on to practice ear training with checked all the boxes. I'll be moving into a tiny home soon and want more things I can do outdoors as well, which a little whistle certainly fits. I've learned not to expect too many things out of life, but I'm hoping I'll be able to have some fun with my little tin whistle and enjoy a new hobby that I can do outdoors.

[@jamesmcdonough7414]

Good Luck! Take a look at Sean's recent beginner series on this channel. After that, he has so many tutorials that are awesome. Great teacher, great production quality! Take care and have fun!

[@mmanahan58]

Been playing about 11 years now....had a gorgeous sounding MacManus made of black African wood, but developed an allergy to it. Back to the Freeman-tweeked Mellow Dog. I enjoy your videos!

[@MarkHawkinsFlute]

Have been playing various woodwind instruments for a few years but had never taken time to concentrate on the whistle. So during COIVD times I decided to work on it a bit more. It's been alot of fun. One thing that I've really come to appreciate is the amazing WEALTH of music/tunes available for the whistle even just in the Irish and Scottish traditions alone. So I have really enjoyed digging into the basics, learning some tunes (from Whistle Tutor of course) as well as playing along with some great players here on YT. As for a possible song, how about Mo Ghile Mear. It seems to be "mostly" a tune that is sung but a little difficult to find a good whistle version with appropriate ornamentation to keep things interesting. :-) Thanks for all you do!!

[@whistletutor]

That's a great idea, I keep seeing that song popping up in various parts of life and it never occurred to me to take a run at it. I'll add it to the list - thanks!

[@mrthebucket]

1 year into playing and watching, learned a lot from you. Cheers!

[@WalkingNose]

I started playing the whistle during an hike with a friend of my who brought his father whistles. I was captivated even if a was just playing randomly. The day after I bought my fist Clarke original and started playing.

[@FiddlingwithmyWhistle]

Always Like, and been Subed for more years than I'd like to recall. the first song I ever learned was from your "Lesson 5: Down By The Sally Gardens" video Still play it today, when I pick up the whistle, it's the first tune you'll hear, as I warm up.

[@whistletutor]

Wow that's an ancient one! Cheers, and thanks for the support as always!

[@FiddlingwithmyWhistle]

@@whistletutor Yeah, that was long before I had this account... So I guess... you have a few Subs, that are me, us :)

[@ketobarbelle8051]

I got into the tin whistle in March of last year due to being stuck in the house with due to COVID. I saw a guy absolutely killing it on the tin whistle in a pub in Oban, Scotland and that was what really got me interested. COVID just gave me the chance to get started. I would love some tutorials on the O'Carolan tunes in Irish music. Some of those are gorgeous!

[@mumsyd2998]

Nice looking whistle. Great sound too. Wish I could play like you. Practice, practice, practice.

[@JeffreyPaveglio]

I've been a singer my whole life, but I had some friends who started to really get into Traditional Irish music, and of course session tunes are just instrumental. I mainly took up the Tin Whistle so that I could play along with them. Its also super portable and fun to play.

[@wgandy9541]

Nice review! I've liked it and have been subscribed for a while now. I retired last year just a week before the lock down started. Had loads of time on my hands when a friend mentioned that they were trying to learn to play the tin whistle. I investigated it and have been enjoying playing the whistle for just about a year now.

[@d.r.9888]

Hi from Belgium, I've been playing the Boehm flute since I am 7 and the whistle and irish flute came to me by falling in love with Brittany and its local music, I've been playing all king of folk tunes on many types of flute since then. Cheers!

[@ThomasHuszar]

Wow! Beatiful whistle! I first heard a whistle on Jethro Tull's The Whistler. Thank you for you great tutorials!

[@iTaraSanchez]

Ohhhhhh shiney......magpie mode kicks in. That’s sure a purdy whistle you’ve got there.

[@WhatsUpDoodle]

Hi! I'm from Patagonia, Argentina and I've always loved the sound of the tin whistle whenever I hear it in movies, etc. but I didn't even know which instrument was, and then being a teenager I discovered The Corrs, an Irish band somewhat popular here (because Irish music it's not very popular here at all!) and that's what got me into celtic music and, although it wasn't easy to get, I eventually found a generation whistle in a shop and started playing... still learning as a hobby!