Changing Whistles

Whistle
1

Starting to play with a group that plays mainly in D - G - and C

Play Low D on slow ones - High D on fast ones

Then play C and G as needed

Any tips for handling the different size whistles .. hole size and spacing and etc.? Does it get better the more you do it? Have trouble finding the holes and covering them when I make rapid changes of whistles.

Jim

2

I usually lay out a bit when changing whistles, usually once through the tune, so I don’t feel rushed. It gives me a chance to warm up the whistle with my hands and breath, and then finger along a little before I make my entrance. In most cases I think it helps the arrangement, since adding the whistle always “kicks things up a notch”…

3

I find it does take a very conscious reminder to self to note which whistle I’m now using before starting to play.

4

Thanks for this suggestion. Obvious! But I get so few chances to play with other folks that I forget. And then when I make a quick switch I tend to tangle my fingers more often, or feel like I’m trying to prove myself. Sitting out for a spell would help me enjoy the flow more. Aaah.

Jennie

5

I have whistles from high D to low D and several keys in between. In most of my practice sessions, I will wind up playing nearly all of them. After a while, you get to the point where you no longer need to think much about it and your fingers go right to the holes. That said, though, when going from a low E or low D to a high D, my fingers suddenly feel VERY close together. After a few bars though, the feeling goes away.

6

Appreciate the replies and like the idea of sitting out a bit … because we usually move from one song to another fairly fast. Will give me time to grab the whistle and get into the song before having to play.

Jim