I’ve never played a whistle. Heck, I feel fortunate that I’ve spelled it correctly! But this morning I had this idea that I need to learn a musical instrument and a foreign language (It was one of those shower ideas, the ones that come in the shower and seem like REALLY good ideas, even after you turn off the water.) So I decided that I would learn to play the whistle (that part was later, after discovering this website)and learn to speak Irish. I just bought a Clarke Whistle with a tape and a book in some sort of “You’re In For It Now” beginner’s package. Since this seems to be the place for Whistle-players, I thought I should introduce myself, for it never hurts to have access to people who know what they are doing, especially when one is trying to learn how to do the thing that the people who know what they are doing already know how to do.
As soon as the package comes in the mail, I’m sure I’ll have some questions…thanks for helping a guy pursue a shower idea to its fullest potential!
-Michael (or Belcatar, whichever you prefer.)
If you got the Clarke package with the book by Ochs, you got the same package I started with. I taught myself to read music with this book. It is worth the price of the package for the book alone. The recording I found more helpful for letting me get the idea of what a tune should sound like. I love Clarke whistles.
The usual warning is that very few people can stop at one whistle. After a while, you start looking for a different tone or a less breathy sound. Then you want one that is more responsive to fast playing. Then you want a loud one. And a quiet one. And different keys. And so on… Whistlers call this WhOA or Whistle Obsessive Acquisition. I can’t afford all the whistles I want, and that goes for most other folks here.
After a while, lots of folks settle into having one or two main whistles and either keeping the rest for when they feel like playing around or else selling/giving away their less-played instruments. When someone on this board is selling a great instrument, it doesn’t mean it is defective or that the whistling world just lost a player. It just means that someone else gets to find out if this fancy instrument will suit his tastes better than those of the original owner. I only mention this because I used to be confused about such sales.
Michael,
Welcome and congratulations on getting into whistling! There’s a bunch of us here in Utah. Myself (and others more knowledgeable than I) can help you out if you want info on local Irish events, music, etc. I’ve only been playing since last November or so, but I’m better than I was when I couldn’t get anything but a squeak out of my whistle. My advice to you would be, don’t get discouraged when you first start playing–with practice, you can improve quite quickly!
The Clarke book is one of the best books I’ve seen for explaining Irish ornamentation, including some pretty advanced topics like crans on D and E.
It starts on a beginners level but covers some pretty good stuff.
Nice package.
The whistle is a great instrument to learn. It’s simple enough that you can be making music in a day or two and complex enough to keep you working at it for years. As for C&F, you came to the right place. There is a vast amount of knowledge and experience here. Just about any question or whistle-related topic you can think of (and some you wouldn’t dream of) have been discussed, debated and argued - it’s all here in the archives. The SEARCH function is your friend. Welcome to your new world.
…it never hurts to have access to people who know what they are doing, especially when one is trying to learn how to do the thing that the people who know what they are doing already know how to do…
Welcome aboard, Micheal - I’m sure you’ll have a load of fun here, I certainly do! I’m wanting to learn the Irish language too - I haven’t bought any books on it or anything, I’ve just been looking at some websites which give phrases and stuff. I have a Clarke too - what key is your’s in?
Peace and creativity,
Sara
“Tell me did you sail across the sun
Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded
And that heaven is overrated.” - Train
[ This Message was edited by: Sara on 2002-03-25 11:27 ]
You know, this place is darn good for Thom’s business. I’ve been meaning to pick up an Ochs book/CD set and I just went ahead and did it. Was able to resist a new whistle, though!
Wow! It’s nice to find such a friendly group of people! Thanks for all the comments. My whistle is in the key of D, which I found out has to do with the lowest note it can play (I had a quick look at the tutorial at the Whistle Shop.) and I’m really excited about getting the thing in the mail and creating shrill noises, which can then be tempered down into something worth listening to…
I used to be a trombone player! I never attacked a Bodhran player, though. I think it’s because I wasn’t aware of the existence of Bodhrans (and, consequently, Bodhran players) until recently.
How long does it usually take to get a whistle in the mail…?
Don’t attack bodhran players with a trombone. They are not worth the damage they can cause to the slide. I know, I’ve been there. (There is very little that can harm a nice aluminum-alloy low D, though…)
BEL…it TAKES AN ETERNITY…well…it FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELS like an eternity. (Speaking as newcomer with one of the WORST CASES of whoa on record) WHat you do is just ORDER one per day until they start arriving…THEN you start getting one delvered EVERY day…now THATS something to smile over
Depends on where you are how fast you get a delivery…here in Canada it took over 4 weeks for my susatos to arrive…well worth the wait though IMHO!! (That’s customs for you though!)
Welcome to our community! At least I think I can say OUR…I’ve only been here a month!
Welcome Michael. You certainly have come to right place. From here on you will sleep eat and drink whistles. Although I have the Clarke tutorial I must admit I learned a lot from trying to play along with some the Joannie Madden tapes. Start saving your pennies because you won’t be satisfied with just one. ENJOY ! Gm
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