There aren’t many of these out there yet. It’s my favorite of all the tweaked whistles I do. Sweeter/purer than a tweaked Generation (which is sweeter/purer than a stock Generation), but easier to play than an O’Briain Improved (the O’Briain is even sweeter/purer yet). I’ve tried to create the sweetest/purest sound possible without sacrificing ease of play. It’s a wide bore whistle, so it has a “bigger” sound than standard bore whistles.
This whistle’s well suited for all kinds of play, but the poignant sweetness makes it especially good for slow aires.
The tweaked Mellow Dog is my creation, rather than taking a standard whistle (e.g., Generation) and refining it to make the best example I can of that kind of whistle.
A Walton’s Mellow D is a key of C whistlehead on a tube the same diameter as a key of C whistle, but with length and toneholes configured to produce a key of D whistle. As such, the Mellow D whistlehead is set up for play in the key of C, and the Mellow D uses that whistlehead without any adjustments. To my ear, Mellow D’s are huskier sounding than I like.
I started out reconfiguring Mellow D whistleheads, but after purchasing 40 or so mellow D’s, I found the casting of the whistleheads too imprecise for predictable tweaking. I then investigated key of C Feadog whistleheads and found that I could produce whistles even sweeter/purer than I could with good Waltons whistleheads, so the Mellow Dog was born. It’s much sweeter/purer than a stock Mellow D, with none of the huskiness. I’ve also lengthened the Mellow D tubes to correct the notoriously sharp bell note. (I believe I’ve posted my technique for this elsewhere.)
Anyway, this is all to encourage anyone who’s interested to give one a try and let everyone know what you think of it. I guarantee 100% satisfaction, as do the vendors I work with.
The original clarke, i didnt really like the sound at first, to airy and i wasnt able to bend the notes enough how i like… but after i tweaked it by flatening the windway with a small hammer and pliers and poured elmers wood glue in the large gaps that formed oon the sides between the wood and the metal, it is now my favorite high whistle i have… although i havent tried and Oak, Hoover, or a Shaw yet.
There is a tendency on this board to use the term ‘easy to play’ for whisltes that are more fool-proof in the hands of inexperienced players.
I am not sure I would agree with the use of the term in that sense, it’s in a way misleading.
I think the O Briain is the easiest playing whistle you can find, it takes no effort at all to play, same goes for Oaks, Generations and whistles like Gary Humphrey’s.
Without diminishing the quality of Jerry’s whistles in any sense (in fact the generation one he sent me is a fine whistle in it’s own right) I found them all harder to play (in the sense that they take more effort) than the same plastic headed whistles in their untweaked state, it’s not a big deal they play well but I think every experienced player with a basic breathcontrol will agree they are in fact not especially ‘easier’ to play.
When you say tweaked whistles take more control to play, I assume you are refering not to the manner of finger control, but breath control. Does this mean one needs to modify the positioning and manner of their lips in relation to the mouthpiece; the way they tongue; the speed and/or power of moving air out of the lungs and through the mouth; or a combination of all of these?
I’m just curious, since from what I have heard on different threads, I gather that every whistle has its own character, thus requires getting familiar with. And as it would appear, everyone has their own personal preference to sound and playability.
I take Peter’s point, and I agree with him that many whistlers find untweaked Generation type whistles or O’Briain Improved whistles perfectly easy to play.
I think you’re misunderstanding him, however, if you interpret what he’s saying to mean that my tweaked whistles take more control, or more breath control to play. The untweaked whistles take more breath control to play, which is why they’re more difficult for some less accomplished players.
Peter has commented to me that the Jerry-tweaked Generation prototype he has takes a little more push to get the upper register than an untweaked Generation. I’ve made some refinements since I sent him that prototype, and I believe that’s changed from the whistle he has. I’ll be sending him up-to-date examples of my whistles in the next couple of weeks.
Peter can correct me if I’m misunderstanding him, but I don’t think he means to give the impression that my tweaked whistles are difficult to play.
Youi’re right Jerry. it’s a matter of terminology. Every whsitleplayer I know would understand an easy playing whislte as one that takes little air. For some reason on this forum often ‘easy’ is used for whsitles that as I said above are fool-proof, that will take big puffs of air from less controled blowers without sqeaking. I see the point but it is confusing if both meaning of ‘easy’ are used alongside eachother.
for the record, Jerry’s whistles are easy to play but i find the untweaked ones easier .
This is helpful. When we’re talking about things as subtle as how whistles play and sound, it’s worth the time and trouble to sort through the possible multiple meanings and varying interpretations of terminology we use.
I’ve found the Cillian O’Briain tweaked feadog demanding of fine breath control because you have to blow so gently. It’s easy to make it squawk. With practice, of course, it gets easy. My Freeman tweaked Generation is very easy for me as it tolerates less control and the sound remains constant. How can you knock that? Many untweaked Generations and feadogs have a raspiness in the upper octave that is going to be there no matter how you blow. If you like that sound, there you go. An expensive Abell I have is easy to play, but has slightly lower breath requirements, which makes you feel deoxygenated in the midst of a long tune, which is distracting. This is much more so the case with the O’Briain tweaked. It’s like blowing very gently through a narrow straw. Eventually, you want to empty your lungs and get some fresh air.
Which whistle sounds best for slow airs is entirely up to your own tastes. On Bakers Well, Sean Potts plays Dear Irish Boy on (probably) a Generation C. It has a breathy, slightly rough tone. His playing is so exquisite and the melody is so beautiful that the combination is fabulous.
Tony
I have recently received two Bb whistles … one Delrin and one Composite … and they have different characteristics for sure. If I come off the composite note with the same timing as the Delrin … the next note seems to sound before the last one is ended. This is on some fairly fast tunes and I really have to pay attention to what I am doing to get the sound right.
First time I have experienced that and wondering what causes it?
Both whistles sound great but just very different requirements.
Without arguing with any of the many fine choices given here, I have to ask: do you currently own a Walton’s C whistle?
Though there is still some of the usual cheap whistle QC issue, they generally range from “good” to “very good” right out ot the box. I don’t know if it’s the “best” whistle for you - a highly subjective term, anyway - but I don’t think you can beat one for the money. If you twisted my arm, I would have to admit to liking my Humphrey’s C and Syn C whistles just a touch more, but I still reach for the Walton’s C just about as often. At about $6 from the Whistle Shop, how can you go wrong?
Jerry’s Mellow Dog (IMO) would be a good one for any music, including slow airs, if you want a hi D. Not a lot of chiff, pure & sweet – my choices for airs. Right now I have a lot of whistles close to my desk – after Christmas most of those have to move to another location through tax season … The Mellow Dog will stay close. It’s my computer whistle.
Most of the time I play slower music on lower keys, C (diy or Syn), Bb or A (Dixon).
Favorite low-cost whistle for airs is Susato B (sometimes C or Bb). Actually I think i prefer it to some of my higher cost whistles. Susato B has a rich tone and exactly the right backpressure for me. They are MUCH MUCH nicer than the two Susato D whistles but many get a D Susato and are put off from trying other keys.
Judy, it’s been close to a year since I posted this question (my how time flies) and at this point, I’d have to say my Burke DBSBT is the one I play most
