Hi, I’m italian, I want to buy a decent but not very expensive whistle to play folk music, not only irish, also italian or souther french music.
I read that tweaked whistle could be a good option, but this is not my cup of tea
Most of the whistles out there are fine to learn on…What is wrong with the tweaked whistles, though?
Everyone likes different things, so you’ll get a different answer from each person. There is no definitive “right” choice.
You said you don’t want tweaked (which I’m not sure why), so I won’t recommend the Freemans to you, although they are quite worth trying. Lately I’ve been playing loads on my brass Dixon Trad whistle, which is one of my favourite whistles. Both the Freeman and the Dixon Trad are not very expensive. Syn whistles are also a very good choice, but a bit more pricey. Any of the three is what I’d go for in your shoes.
..or, just grab a generation or Clarke, and focus on the learning and choose something else later after you know what you like in playability and sound, and what suits you best.
Dixon Trad would get my vote. On the cheap end, but very nice whistle.
I’ve heard Generations are pretty good. Also Feadógs and Walton’s.
Nothing is wrong with the tweaked whistle, the trouble is that I don’t speak english very well.
I wanted to say that I heard that the tweaked whistles could be a good choice for the beginner, but i’m not a whistle expert, and I don’t know what are the “best” whistles for a person who never played a whistle… sorry for the misurderstanding.
I didn’t say it, but I play the baroque traverso, so I’m sensitive to the troubles of intonation, so the whistle will have to be more or less in tune
Another thing, what are the best internet sites to buy a whistle? Possibly european sites.
Ah okay. The Dixon Trad is indeed a very good and beginner-friendly instrument IMO. That said, any cheap whistle will do. They’re all good (but quite different!). Usually you can order them directly from the maker or via ebay.
From what I’ve seen, I’d suggest to be cautious with those specialised “folk” or “tinwhistle” shops on the internet, as these are sometimes way more expensive.
For example just check Clare whistles or Feadóg whistles (the latter also sell Generations).
Any of the suggestions are good. Look around and keep the choice affordable. Here are a few sites to consider.
http://www.goldfinch.eu/eng/index_eng.html
http://www.bigwhistle.co.uk/index.asp?country=Italy
http://folkfriends.com/shop/showprodlist.php?grp=132
Have fun.
Tony Dixon is a good way to go also:
http://www.tonydixonmusic.co.uk/catalogue/index.html
… and Dixon trads are available on italian-speaking online shops as well :
http://www.ebay.it/itm/TONY-DIXON-KEY-D-SOPRANO-WHISTLE-DXTRAD-TUNEABLE-/140403094661?pt=UK_Woodwind_Instruments&hash=item20b0ad3485
A Freeman Tweaked whistle will be very reliable, with smooth even voicing and perfect tuning. Can’t really go wrong!
The Dixon whistles with plastic head and thick metal bodies sound very nice.
How about your fellow Italian?
http://www.ggwhistles.com/howto/#Introduction
The Dixon trads are great whistles. For bang for the buck, though, a basic Feadog is great and good to go right out of the box. After years of mid-range priced whistle (Susato, Dixon heavy bodied brass whistles, tweaked O’Briains and Freemans), I just bought a basic Generation in D and a Feadog in D. The Generation required some clean-up (removing excess plastic from the windway, and is better off with poster putty in the cavity of the headjoint) but the feadog had a perfectly clean casting on the headjoint, was in perfect tune, and was good to go out of the box. For $8 (US), I can’t imagine a finer beginning whistle. Actually, I’d be happy to record with it. The Generation, after clean up, is lovely as well - louder yet with a sweeter voice. Now that I think of it, the Feadog reminds me, sound-wise, remarkably of the Dixon trad…at 1/3rd the cost.
However, it’s important to remember that the player is a huge part of how good any whistle sounds (unless something is wrong with the whistle).
Eric
get a dixon trad brass. I find mine highly pleasing.
They are very pleasing whistles - especially for the price.
I only sold mine after i got my Sindt.
An 8 hole Syn that made its way to Italy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbELt-nvjio
i bought a second hand Dixon Trad (in not very bad conditions) from an italian boy.
Soon a recording.
The 8-hole syn is beautiful, but it isn’t for my pockets (maybe in the future)
the (poor) recording of my first tune.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdMq_HbPknA&feature=player_detailpage
it’s a medley of tunes I play on the zampogna