Williamson presents basic music reading succinctly, and in a way that is easy for even beginning music readers to understand, right at the beginning of the book. Theory then makes way for a boatload of tunes designed to build technique and repetoire simultaneously. Unlike other tutors, which tend to use fairly boring, childish tunes to teach basic technique ("Mary Had a Little Lamb" and the like), Williamson moves right into the lovely music of the British Isles (a nice bonus for the adult learner, who most likely is NOT interested in learning to play another version of "Mary Had a Little Lamb"!). By the time you've worked your way through the book, you will not only have a good grasp of penny whistle technique, you will have a nice collection of tunes under your belt.

Another nice facet of this book is that it doesn't concentrate exclusively on the music of Ireland. Much as I love Irish music, the penny whistle is suitable for so much more, and Williamson's nice collection of airs, song tunes, jigs, reels, hornpipes, harp and fiddle tunes, Morris tunes and country dance tunes from England, Scotland, Wales, America and (yes) Ireland is a satisfying addition to the body of work for this instrument that I find myself returning to again and again. His obvious passion for the music (not to mention the lovely illustrations!) is also a bonus.

Highly recommended.

22 of 23 found the following review helpful:


An Excellant Method for Adults Wanting to Learn Music  Feb 04, 2000 By Thomas V Tugman
I am a trained musician and a big fan of Robin Williamson, he is a rare and gifted artist and muse. I have used his Pennywhistle Book for teaching adults new to playing a musical instrument. This book has it all, it takes only a few pages to introduce a student how to read and count musical notation then it moves instantly into tunes. Most beginning methods start with Row Row Row yer Boat or Lightly Row, standard repertoire, I know, but Mr. Williamson has one playing beautiful Irish airs and jigs in the first week of practice. Add to this, the total investment of a book and penny whistle is only about $20, and you have an excellant and fun method guaranteed to give adults and teenagers a great way to learn how to play music.

I have also used this book for teaching students of the saxophone and flute, because his simple melodies are so appealing to the new musician. I think this book and its approach should be a standard adopted by other beginning methods.

I also love the arrangements, his guitar chords are perfect, and the book has been a standard source of irish melodies for me over the years.

What more can I say, but thank you Mr. Williamson for a great book, and for your body of musical works. You are truely a Rennaissance Man.

16 of 17 found the following review helpful:


An old favorite  Apr 27, 2003 By Tom Sackett
Like one of the previous reviewers, I first picked up this book a long, long time ago, shortly after it came out. It has remained one of my favorite books ever since. It is both a great way to learn to the play the instrument and a great introduction to the music of the British isles. Williamson's comments on the tunes help the reader understand the basics of Celtic music and the way in which the tunes moved from one country to another.

One shortcoming of the book is that Williamson doesn't give a lot of information on how to use phrasing, rhythm and ornamentation to develop a real style. When I listen to recordings of Irish penny whistle players, I'm always surprised by how different their playing sounds from my own. The Penny Whistle Book is a great place to start, but you'll need to look beyond the book to learn how to achieve the sound you want.

10 of 11 found the following review helpful:


Great intro book with lovely tunes  Jan 29, 1999
Robin Williamson's Penny Whistle book has been around for a long time and it's a wonderful book for beginners and beyond. There are some stunningly beautiful, yet simple tunes in it and he does a wonderful job communicating in words how to develop a good sound and how to read music.

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:


Good, but...  Oct 17, 2007 By J. O. Foster "whistlenut"
Good book, with a slew of old tunes, but if you are a beginning whistler, check out Bill Ochs " The Clarke Tin Whistle." Then buy this book. Whistle on!

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