I’m going to be doing some work on US military bases overseas, and was debating getting maybe a dozen whistles and running some really basic noob classes. Hoping to maybe, over the course of one or two hour-long sessions to get folks to be able to breathe the right pressure to get the basic notes, and then maybe some really easy basic song. I figure once you get those down, a lot of the rest flows pretty naturally.
I have a fair bit of experience teaching Appalachian dulcimer group-lessons in Newfoundland, and almost everyone I taught could do a pretty decent “Amazing Grace” by the end of an hour or so, with a lot of folks suddenly “clicking” and just playing all kinds of songs just by feeling the instrument out. I know whistle is a bit trickier at the very beginning, due to breath control, but I figure a lot of folks can take off running after learning to play a clear scale.
Anyone have much experience with this? Is getting a simple scale with relatively even breath pressure unattainable in a 1hr workshop?
Any recommendation on a way to get, say, a dozen whistles at a bulk price? I’m thinking cylindrical, since conical whistles are easier to bust, and I want durable whistles. Should I get a dozen and then print out some basic free online materials, or should I pay more to get a dozen “book, CD, and whistle” packages? I was thinking to have the classes be “free instruction, $X for materials”, but the lower the material cost, the more takers, I’d imagine.
(Edited to say: I have dealt with most whistle companies - they all have their strengths, but is this case I can say 2 things cogent to what you’re looking for:
The Clarke Megs come with a bunch of A-5 double-sided learner’s sheets that show a note chart and a couple of tunes in music notation - the Meg is a nice little whistle that plays in tune (I’m talking about the D) and is the greatest thing for the absolute least cost .. the learner’s sheet is token, but functional .. maybe you can get permission to reproduce it - ask them.
The Feadog company do a beginner’s pack that has a whistle and a tutorial booklet. The booklet is the best I’ve seen for the absolute beginner - it has the note-chart, and it has the music notation, but it also has 32 tunes to learn and it’s all enhanced with tablature for those who need to get the tunes BEFORE they learn music notation - a “stand-up-start” in my opinion .. but it’s not for free - the teacher would better get the upgrade pack that also includes a CD that follows the tutorial
SO! In my opinion - if you want a cheap, but max-effort way in - go CLarke .. If you want an effective result with a few dollars more - go Feadog. Depends how much value add you bring to the table yourself - I have found both these comapanies very amanable - talk to them! Google gets them - “Clarke Whistle” and “Feadog Whistle” go to the “contact us” in each case ..
if you’re an expert with existing tutorial material and know how the tunes are supposed to sound, talk to Generation, Oak, Walton, etc - I have met no whistle manufacturer that is not very willing to talk .. well maybe Walton - they still think bricks-and-mortar music shops are where the market is tehy will put you in touch with a local distributor that will treat you like a mad idiot but who cares - Walton whisltes suck)
One other thought: If you know what tunes you want to use to teach you can doubtless find them on the web and make your own collection of tunes very cheaply.
I endorse Mitch’s comments about two fine companies to check out. Clark Sweetones are very inexpensive and perhaps a bit quieter than some of the others. And they are decently in tune. (Now if I could just get Mitch to move up the date he will be finishing my whistle )
tehy will put you in touch with a local distributor that will treat you like a mad idiot but who cares - Walton whisltes suck)
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