Clarke Sweetone Tinwhistle in D - BLACK Pennywhistle with Soft Black Cloth Whistle Pouch

This is my first whistle, I did a lot of research before deciding on this one and I’m not disappointed. I’ve been a musician for about 12 years and so I improved fairly quickly past the twinkle twinkle little star, Mary had a little lamb etc. phase I’d recommend to most beginners to get comfortable with the instrument and familiar with the notes. First things first, it looks amazing. For the price it is a very stylish whistle without being too ornate. I’ve had people think it was some high price instrument. The sound quality is fine, the higher up you go into the second octave the less pure the notes get, and you get a real airy sound. This is not a defect but a signature of more traditional Irish music and honestly adds a good bit of character to whatever you’re trying to play. Intonation and controlling your breath for each note is going to play a large in the sound that you get. So just because it’s sounding a little funky at first, give yourself some time and really take the time to make sure each note is coming out sounding good. Sound quality 4/5, just because I personally prefer a more pure instrument and especially in the higher second octave I feel like the airyness almost overpowers the note itself. Blows super easy. I barely have to put any air into the instrument to play the entire lower octave and can play the second octave with not much more effort. I’ve played entire tunes on a single breath. Playability is a 5/5 In closing, or in short, This is an excellent instrument, generally when you buy a beginner instrument you’re already looking at upgrades by the first week, and I see no reason for the foreseeable future to buy another whistle, there really aren’t any flaws or anything I can imagine can be improved upon, and you can make some small tweaks that don’t require any tools or anything else if you want to, but again I don’t see a need for that either. This whistle is a home run.

I love this whistle! I've never played before and I'm having good success with it and its tone. I'm glad I didn't go for a cheaper whistle because I think I would have given up if it sounded bad. I also found a great beginning book 'the Clarke Tin Whistle book by Bill Ochs'. I'm learning to read music and I can already play a couple of tunes successfully.

This is the second tin whistle I've purchased. The first I got as a novelty at a highland games - it was your fairly standard issue straight copper tube with holes drilled in it (made in Ireland by Feadóg Teoranta). Once I learned how to play a few songs on it, it became clear to me that I needed a higher quality version of the instrument. The Clarke whistle delivered. The whistle is tapered rather than straight, which (I suspect) is why it sounds warmer and much less shrill than my Feadóg. The finger holes are a also beveled, which makes it easier to form a seal. If you get a lot of high-pitched screech tones between high notes when changing your fingerings, this helps tremendously. The black microfiber bag it comes with is also quite nice, and makes it look at home amongst your fiddle, mandolin, or what have you. If I had any complaints at all, its that it sounds a bit breathy at times, especially on some of the higher octave notes when you're having to blow a bit harder. Overall, though, it has a lovely tone, and for the price, this little penny whistle is well worth every penny. I've attached a brief video review, where I play this whistle alongside the Feadóg - not the best performance I've ever given, but it provides a decent frame of reference for the tone and ease of play as compared to other whistles. Judge the instrument and not the musician ;-)

As I said in the title, Very delicate. Don't be mistaken that you just blow and finger the notes. A Piper's tin whistle can be a very joyful and very mournful sounding instrument. I am the best musician in my living room. I play a few different instruments. The technique of "breathing" a tin whistle to life is tricky. There are two octaves to a tin whistle. For me the lower octave is the most difficult. It takes a very gentle breath. Anything more aggressive will put it in the upper octave. As far as I can tell the quality of the Clarke tin whistle is great. I am no expert but the intonation seems right on. So if a tune like Danny Boy moves you, this might be the "voice" you are looking for. A tin whistle has a sound that seems to come from far off even when played in the same room. All I can say is that if it is a sound that has moved in your spirit, try it. 20 bucks is less than the gamble you made for the last pizza....

This Irish tin/penny whistle has especially small tone holes and plays with a very delicate sound. In my opinion, this makes this real musical instrument especially suitable to children when compared with other whistles. Expert musicians reportedly appreciate the delicate sound too, giving them greater expression.

It works but takes a lot more breath control due to its tapered nature (not good for beginners). And east to over blow. Also because its made from a sheet instead of a tube, there it has a seam in the back that hurts the thumbs to play. Replaced it with a Waltons penny whistle in "mellow D" which is much more playable and easy on the ears.

Update after 4 months: Well, time for another update! This whistle is really as good as the player I think. Obviously a more expensive, high quality whistle will have a broader, louder sound. But I am still a fan of this whistle. My favorite whistle is a Killarney Brass, but that is a completely different price range. For this price range, still enjoying this little whistle. Some days I use it instead of the fancier one just because I like the sound. Added an updated video of an excerpt from Picard's Air to show that it can reach the top of the second octave and a note into the third octave. This one has reverb. Update after 2 months: I was new to tin whistle (this is my first one) and have been playing only two months. I added a video so that others can hear what it sounds like. For a $15 whistle, it is really a great sounding instrument! I really love this whistle! I used to play the flute, so learning breath control didn't take long and I get a really nice sound. It is easy to find beginner tunes online and tutorials, so after just a few days I have some nice tunes with ornaments in my repertoire already. Not a huge problem with squeaking as I heard is an issue with these cheaper whistles. This is actually the second one that came in. The first was dented in the mail but it was replaced immediately. Pretty sure this should be mailed in a box instead of an envelope. Instrument is 5/5 for what it is, shipping would be a 3/5, but customer service was good and I got the replacement in 2 days, so that was nice.

I was very disappointed when I eagerly ordered my first ever tin whistle to learn on, and it came looking like someone had stepped on it. The whistle is not durable construction, so to be shipped in a simple bag instead of a box confuses me. Suffice it to say I ordered a replacement. The replacement also came in a simple bag and not a box, but at least it survived the trip. That said, once I got my hands on a whistle that wasn’t beaten to a pulp, learning to play on it has been a great experience. I used this cheap solution to see if I even liked tin whistle and would be serious about it. Thanks to this whistle I am now looking at the higher quality whistles of the same brand on the market. To the seller/shipper, PLEASE consider shipping these in boxes and not just bags. It’s far too easy to damage these during most shipping methods. Thank you and stay safe out there.