Learning to play an Irish tin whistle is fun. It is an instrument that matches well with many other acoustic sounds and it is a wonderful instrument for children and adults alike. However, many people, when faced with the number of tin whistle brands on the market, may scratch their heads in confusion about which one to buy.

The first thing to consider when choosing a tin whistle is experience level. A beginner will want to choose a tin whistle that is easy to play and isn't too expensive. Numerous brands fall into this category. The Clarke company is one of th original tin whistle makers and their SweeTone or Meg tin whistles are inexpensive and have a nice, bright tone. The plastic mouthpiece makes them easier to play. A Clarke original has a wooden fipple in the metal mouthpiece and is a little more difficult to play, since it requires more breath. Many expert players revere these though, because they are the most traditional and have an authentic, breathy tone.

Another preferred brand for a beginner is the Oak whistle, as well as the Feadog. These tin whistles range in price from $7 to $20 US Dollars (USD) -- not a bad price for a musical instrument! The nice thing about the tin whistle is that, although they can be very expensive, even professional players are likely to have several inexpensive whistles lying around, just for practice. It's no disgrace to have an inexpensive whistle. Many sound as nice as their pricey counterparts.

Another consideration in choosing a tin whistle is composition. What is the tin whistle made of? The obvious answer, tin, isn't usually the case, except for the Clarke original. Most metal whistles are made of brass. The more expensive whistles, such as the Susato, are made from molded plastic, which means the pitch does not change as the tin whistle is played. Since metal expands and contracts, a metal tin whistle may change slightly in pitch as it is played. There are a few hand-made wood whistles, and these are very expensive, often costing over $200 USD.

Most beginners will choose an inexpensve tin whistle, while intermediate and advanced players will buy more expensive whistles. Thus, price isn't as much of a factor as pitch. What key should the whistle be? A first whistle, or even a first good whistle should probably be a "D" whistle. Most Irish folk songs are in "D" and this will enable the player to learn tunes that don't require learning to play accidentals, which isn't always easy with a tin whistle.

Tin whistles are sold all over the Internet and many sites have sound clips of that whistle playing a short tune, so the shopper can hear how it sounds. Some whistles are bright, some are mellow, some sweet, some breathy. It all depends on the manufacturer. A beginner should also get a book about playing the tin whistle. It may also be fun for a tin whistle player to find out if there are any traditional music hobby groups in the area and join. There he can learn new songs and techniques for the instrument.

Whatever tin whistle a player chooses, he can count on experiencing the joy of learning to play an instrument. The little tin whistle greatly rewards practice and persistence.