The 2 whistles looked similar. 12 bucks for a low C whistle?
Probably not. But always a chance right?
Thanks
P.S.
Folkcraft is also selling a Feadog whistle book/CD package.
Is it worth getting? I don’t really need another whistle right now, but I am curious about the book/cd as an additional source of whistle samples to listen to. Especially as it mentions slow airs (My favourite tunes to learn, still haven’t gathered enough patience to learn a really fast jig or reel yet)
I already have Peter Pickows Learning Pennywhistle book/cd
as well as The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle book/cds
It’ll be easier to get the package if someone recommends it, but naturally I don’t want it if its not worth getting.
I’ve tried a few Pakistani or Indian made whistles in several low keys. They were consistently bad, with poor tone, large breath requirements, and very questionable intonation. Just my experience, YMMV.
I’d suggest calling the toll free number and ask some questions. If they can’t tell you if it’s a low or high whistle, ask them to measure it. A high C will be about 12.5" - 12.75" long. A low C will be significantly longer. And I’d suggest staying away from Pakistani made whistles, which this probably is. Ask them where it’s made.
If you look closely at the photos on the Folkcraft and eBay pages, you’ll see what looks like a thin decorative ring around the tube above the top hole. You have to look really close at the one on the Folkcraft page because it’s under the letter “r” in the Folkcraft name that’s placed over the whistle. That ring is the telltale sign that it’s a Pakistani whistle.
Out of curiosity a few years ago I bought a high D brass from an online vendor that sold all sorts of instruments made in Pakistan…bodhrans, whistles, flutes, etc and it was terrible. Hard to play and WAY out of tune. Can’t remember the vendor’s name but it was out of Florida. It had that same decorative ring around the tube, same mouthpiece design, and was marked “D” on the tube but actually closer to Eb…but not quite. I called and told them about it so was sent another one. Same thing. In fact, the second one was more out of tune and the finger holes weren’t lined up/centered with the windway but were slightly off to the side. I ended up giving them to a friend’s grandkids.
Thanks alot. That really helps
I’ll give it some more thought, but I think your right, a Pakistani whistle wouldn’t be worth the cost of shipping.
Its great having a forum like this
Grexrell…
When I saw your sig including all the instruments you’re learning…in one year …my first thought was “A Thiarna!”…you need to get a life. Then I realized you definitely have one…MUSIC and lots of it. So now I say “Maith go leor!”
BTW,
A Thiarna! means Good Lord! in Irish/Gaelic
Maith go leor! means Jolly Good!
Thanks…
Well I’m not exactly as diligent as I should be when it comes to learn them, The whistle takes up most of my practice time, and I think I’m dropping the Autoharp and guitar (My sisters going to try the guitar, and I’ll sell the Autoharp)
I think I just got excited once i found out I can be more than a spectator to music. Especially after my grandmother several years back tried to teach me how to play the piano one afternoon, and labeled me hopeless.
Basically she sat me down at the piano, played a short tune, showed me the keys, and left me to repeat it over and over again. Well I deviated from the tune a bit (forgot the next proper key) and she got upset, declared that my musical ear was hopeless and I can’t play music.
Well on the whistle alone i’ve learned at least 4 tunes purely by ear.
Soon I’ll play something for her (she still doesn’t know I can play anything) and show her that a musical ear can be grown.
Not that that’s my motivation for playing, its just a nice side benefit.
As for getting a life. I think your right, at the moment music is a big part of mine.
Besides, not having a girlfriend provides alot of practice time.
I hope you know I was just messing with you when I said that.
Companionship is wonderful, but so is time to ourselves and making music is a positive and productive way to utilize it. So take advantage of it right now, learn all you can, enjoy yourself, and who knows, you may find that perfect lady who loves music as much as you…or more.
…my first thought was “A Thiarna!”…you need to get a life. Then I realized you definitely have one…MUSIC and lots of it. So now I say “Maith go leor!”