Years ago when I started busking, I played a Susato C whistle–
played it on the street in St. Louis but also Paris and Killarney.
As time went by I shifted to flute, D flute usually. But more
recently I’ve started playing a Sweetheart G flute.
These are easier to blow and finger, so if you’re going
on for hours on the street, that’s helpful. Also they carry
well.
Saturday I put into my bag the old susato C, which I haven’t
much played for awhile. Once on the street I gave it a
toot. Well, there it was–just a terrific busking instrument.
It’s loud, it sounds good, it doesn’t take lots of air,
it isn’t too shrill, it’s easy to finger, it’s light, it’s
inexpensive.
Made 64 dollars in three and a half hours.
Full circle.
Very cool! … well… more like 96degreesF in St Louie, with matching humidity… but cool story and great ‘take’!
Thanks.
Yes, it sure has been hot here.
I’ve got this huge felt cowboy hat,
sort of like an umbrella, and I’m in long sleeve
shirt and long pants, and I’m slathered in
sunscreen. But it can become hellish
in a couple of hours. I’m starting at
7:30 AM.
What kind of tunes did you play, Jim? Irish? Not Irish? Jigs, reels, slow airs?
I think the key of C is Susato’s best. I love mine.
Yes, I agree that Susato’s C whistle is the best.
Although this one is old; I don’t know what new
ones are like.
I’m playing a whole mix of tunes, ones I feel
work in the street.
A good deal of Yankee Doodle, Turkey in the Straw,
The Eighth of January.
Also I play middle eastern tunes, Israeli dances.
I play Favorite Things.
Also Soldier’s Joy, St. Anne’s Reel.
Gary Owen, The Girl I Left Behind Me.
Endearing Young Charms,
Some stuff I stole from Mike Rafferty’s CD.
Also Red Haired Boy, Boys of the Town, Off She Goes,
other jigs and reels (Star of Munster, Bag of Spuds).
Her Long Black Hair…
Someone to Watch Over Me.
Some Beatles tunes.
And some Bach–Minuet in G, a part of the
Easter Oratorio, also Sheep May Safely Graze, etc.
Sooner or later I’m so oxygen drunk I play whatever
comes in to my head.