Here’s a challenge for the composers/arrangers in the crowd. I recently found a copy of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart, but I can’t figure out how to arrange it for whistle. It’s in the key of G, and the range goes from D to the 3rd octave D, which, of course, is a screecher on the whistle. If you are interested, I can send you the score in ABC, GIF, or PostScript, or you can download it from freesheetmusicplus.com in the beginning piano section.
~ Thornton
Thorton! I commend you for challenging yourself! I just tried to play it by ear in D; it isn’t too hard up until you get to the key change at the end of the first theme. I’m not even going to try the development (the part in the middle where things get wierd). 
Has anyone ever tried to figure out Bach’s “Badinarie” from Suite 2? It was written for flute, and it’s a hoot on the whistle. I’ve been tinkering with it for a couple years, and I can play it very slowly. It needs lots of half-holing, and it’s supposed to be played at Ludicrous Speed (“They’ve gone plaid!!!”)
Anyway, it’s a lot of fun to try new challenges, and I like the idea of playing some hi-fallutin’ classical piece (and playing it well) on the tin whistle. What fun!
Tom
Whoo hoo! One of my favorite fake-em-outs! That one’s almost impossible for me play, and I don;t think I’m up to the challenege, but the first couple of measures are great for faking out a local guitar player that l know who loves showing off my popping off a few bars of Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring…just to baffle the local cowboys. I hit 'em with a few bars of this one, and just love the look on thier faces when I say “Mozart!” I like the look on the guitar player’s face, too!
Let it shine! Anna “RoaringMouse” Martinez
[ This Message was edited by: Anna Martinez on 2001-11-09 10:55 ]
It needs lots of half-holing, and it’s supposed to be played at Ludicrous Speed (“They’ve gone plaid!!!”)
Tom
Hey, WyoBadger. You another Mel Brooks fan? I love Space Balls! A favorite line: “I’m a Mog: half-man, half-dog. I’m my own best friend.”
Has anyone ever tried to figure out Bach’s “Badinarie” from Suite 2? It was written for flute, and it’s a hoot on the whistle.
That is indeed a terrific, tough tune, but you’re not the first to use it on a whistle. I have a recording somewhere of ( I think) the Bothy Band ( or is it De Dannan) with a cut called “Bach’s Rambles” which is this very same Badinerie!! They play the eighth notes dotted, turning it into a fantastic hornpipe. Some tough half holing there.
Speaking of Bach, the opening (and closing) aria of the Goldberg variations works very well as a slow air on whistle or flute, and not very hard to play.
I dunno but I seem to run out of octaves playing Baldinarie. Is there transposing to do, what whistle key is used and what note are we starting in?
Eldarion,
I have no idea about the key. It’s been one of my favorite pieces to listen to since long before I took up the whistle, and I just play it from memory. (No great feat, this memorization–I’ve worn out at least one tape recording of the tune before I got it on CD) I usually play it on whatever whistle is handy, starting on “Re” XXX XXO and go from there. 'Taint easy.
T
As for the octaves, yes you have to move a few things up or down. But it really doesn’t change the sound of the tune.