Clarke Tin Whistle Set

I was quite impressed by the quality of the presentation of the set. The book and the box are printed with old style pictures, letters and graphic elements that fits the classic style of the tin whistle, making this a good collectors item.
The book takes the learner from A to Z, covering such basics as fingering and score reading to the more advanced irish music ornamentation techniques.
As a person with great historical sensibility I was very happy to found in this book some small historical explanations and anecdotes, confirming this music instrument as collectors item.
The tin whistle look like it was made with the same techniques as the very first ones: plastic is absent, wood is present. In the back of the tin whistle you can see and feel the line where the two parts of the tin sheet came together... so it's not made from a already blank tube.
At first, the sound of the tin whistle disappointed me a little bit, because I was expecting a nowadays typical cleaner sound. The notes come out clear and in tune but it's sound a little bit breathy.... that is... you can listen the wind coming out. NOW I just love the sound and it seems that this breathy sound only adds to the overall tone of this instrument. I true belief that it's sounds like the very first one and the music seems more organic and natural. Good job Clarke.

The set contains a tin whistle and a book consisting of lessons to familiarise yourself with the notes, techniques and intonation to play it. It is written in a conversational style. Illustrations instead of tablature are provided for the standard fingerings so, you can see how to position your fingers. It also contains a history of the instrument, its place in Irish folk music as well as a section on western musical notation which, may be particularly helpful for complete novices.

I have experience with the recorder and not the whistle and so, have used the basic lessons to practice the different technique and slightly different fingerings. I have tried one other book and in comparison I think these exercises and explanations take you through at a steady pace and do not rush you too quickly. Looking ahead there are a significant number of exercises to learn and practice intonation and ornamentation so, I can see it is certainly something that will take me time to complete. I feel hopeful that I will be proficient by the end.

This whistle is an Original Clarke with a wooden fipple. I bought a Clarke sweetone at the same time (which has a plastic head), it is true that the Original whistle requires a little more air but, I like the tone which due to the wood feels more earthy and natural to me.

Two points to note:
1. this whistle comes in a bag
2. a finger chart is not included, although the book does include illustrations for the standard fingerings on the inside of the back cover page and describes all fingerings in the book itself.

I am more than happy with the Clarke Tin Whistle Teaching Set.
It is complete with everything one needs to get started on the tin whistle or to move on from the intermediate level upwards.
Superb in every detail from the music and CDs, the historical notes, the careful instructions in a light and good humoured conversational style, the colourful photos and beautiful illustrations, to the Clarke Original Tin whistle in D with its bird-like chiffy tone producing a unique sound which is kind of baroque. Everything is here to create happy whistling musical moments.