I’m a newbie to the tin whistle but chugging very well through a Bill Ochs cassette/book combo. I’m trying to learn “Amazing Grace” which is going well except for the words (first verse) “I once was lost” where the notes are B D’-B D’-B G. I see that Brother Steve’s website has a suggestion for the D’ which might infuriate the purists but, at this point, I just want to get through it. Obviously, if I’m quickly switching back & forth between D’ and B; 1) I’ve got ugly squeaking as C makes a momentary appearance(barring Bro. Steve’s suggestion) and 2) like someone on a balance beam, sticking the landing on G isn’t pretty. Suggestions?
You have a couple of options here. One would be to tongue between those notes, as you’re switching your fingers, so there’s no air flowing as you pass through the C#. The other would be to use the XXX XXX fingering for the high D. On most whistles (at least the ones I’ve played) it makes not a lot of difference in the sound of the note, and that way you can just leave that left index finger down for the whole time.
very very slow practice…VERY VERY SLOW practice. The fingers in question need to move at exactly the same time, and the only way to learn the skill is practice going back and forth, learning to not make funny sounds in between.
At the very least, call the funny sounds ornaments.
Also, mentally THINK about leading with the highest finger, even though the goal is to move them at exactly the same time. Its a neat trick that gets things going more smoothly sometimes.
I don’t have Bill’s book but thought I’d try to write down how I play this song in the Key of D
Amazing Grace. In key of D.
D sG ~G B-A-G sB2
A--A--ma-z-ing Grace
A G E D
How sweet the sound.
D sG ~G B-A-G sB2
Tha-at saved a-a-a retch
A d ~d sesd
li-ike me--e--e
B d ~d2 B-A-G sB2
I-I Once w-a-s Lost
A G E D
but now am found
~D-G ~G B-A-G sB
wa-s blind b-u-t Now
A GsAsG
I s-e-e
Notation notes:
upper case D through C is the first octave.
lower case d through c is second octave.
number to indicate notes held longer
~ = Cut
Ex. d is 0xxxxx and ~d 0xxx*x
where the * is momentarily lifted to grace the second d.
s = Slide/slur
Ex. GsAsG starts xxx000 and goes to xx*000
where the * finger(the ring finger) is slowly slid off
and back on to the hole sideways to slur the note
from G up to A and then back down to G.
Ex. GsB slides x**000 the two * fingers in unisonto slur from G up to B.
I also play it in A Mixolydian on a low-d whistle.
In A Mixolydian Amazing Grace starts out:
A d ~d f-e-d sf2
A-A-ma-z-ing Grace
I usually imagine someone singing along with the tune in my head; as, I play it on the whistle. This proves most helpfull in timing and ornamentation. I played this solo on a low-d at the grave site of a good friend’s mother, very slowly, standing about 20 yards off to the side at the end of the last words. 'Twas my way to say good bye; and, perhaps put to air, what some of the folks felt, but couldn’t put into words.
Hope this helps you work out how you play the tune.
So you can …
Never thought on variations on this, like starting from A. It does work.
Now, “Mixolydian” A… or “Dorian” A…? Works also in Dorian E (not that the octave switch will help a beginner…)
-Zubivka: “I see that Brother Steve’s website has a suggestion for the D’ which might infuriate the purists but, at this point, I just want to get through it.” What suggestion? He suggested that you simply keep the top hole covered, rather than open it. That way, you’re spending less time moving fingers (which, for me is a real stinker for that D’-B combo!) so there’s less chance of error. The tone is a little different which is what might offend better players. My cheapo Clarke is “breathier” than my Generation but, the xxx xxx D’ is even more “breathier” & a little duller than the normal oxx xxx but it makes the D’-B transition easier. (I’m switching between the two as I’m learning but the Generation squeaks more…for now.)
-Lee: Wow, thanks for thanks for the notation & lesson! The “bad” news is you’ve corrupted me with your Overton low D and ‘bag-o-whistles’ so I’ve already got WhOA!
Thanks to ALL those who replied. Your messages are a big help!
I was trying to find Amazing Grace in my whistle last night and it just didn’t seem to be there. This will make a happy Spouse! (You know, the one wearing the high tech earplugs.)
Also - I can barely stretch to play the Generation low Bb I picked up. Is a low D larger? It’s too soon for me to start learning a new playing technique for low whistle. I’ve just gotten started.
The “bad” news is you’ve corrupted me with your Overton low D and ‘bag-o-whistles’ so I’ve already got WhOA! 