Anybody get any new whistles or related stuff? I got a couple of books (including the Grey Larsen) and a Micho Russell CD (gave those to myself). Also, had a money gift this year, so I went out yesterday afternoon and bought the MacNeil low D I’ve been worrying about…beautiful whistle, head and shoulders over the Merlin I’ve been struggling with. I’m very happy with it.
Pouring down rain in Cape Breton this morning…Merry Christmas to all, and hope you’re having a great morning with your loved ones.
A couple of weeks ago I received a Burke low A in aluminum for my “birthmas” present (Christmas and September birthday combined) This whistle is superb, and easy to play once I got my sloppy finger placement fixed. I love to descend into those lower notes.
Sooo, I wasn’t expecting another whistle for Christmas, but my wife surprised me with a Clarke Original in D to replace the one I lost while backpacking in the Monongahela National Forest this year. I mourned that whistle publicly and often–I think my wife got the hint!
So, today, I took it downstairs to my “practice room” (where the furnace is!) and used the finest possible sandpaper to smooth out the fipple block, both the airway and where my lower lip goes. It smoothed out the tone. I beveled the sharp edge at the front of the fipple block–a bit too much, I was surprised how soft the cedar was. Fortunately, I didn’t ruin it.
I was surprised that this new Clarke needed only the tiniest of “thumbnail tweaks” almost nothing. It is also quieter than my previous ones. Have they changed the Clarke original? As soon as I can buy some fingernail polish remover and Q tips, I will remove the gold diamonds and gold markings below the Clarke trademark and the “D.” This will give me a genuine Dale Wisely’s Naked Black Splendor!
This is a sweet playing little whistle; I have to play it softer than my previous Clarkes, but it doesn’t blow me away in high B. Now I’m ready for my next mission trip!
So, my new expensive Burke and my utterly inexpensive tinwhistle gave me equal amounts of joy today!!
Love to you all-- MERRY CHRISTMAS! God bless you!!
My new toy is a Lochlan low D from Greg Russell that I’ve had for about a month - close enough to qualify? I’m also hoping to get a Forbes flute in the near future.
We had a sunny day today in Indianapolis for Christmas today,… good for traveling.
i got a copy of “Ireland, a Bicycle and a Tin Whistle” from my in-laws and some fun money from the family which will go towards a Dixon Duo Low D whistle/flute
We are close to 4 boys (2 sets of cousins.) The oldest boy came to our house back in November to say, “Get me an ocarina for Christmas.” I replied, “You are mocking me.” He said he wanted to learn the Zelda song. That made sense. We got all the boys and me ocarinas for Christmas. They had a blast Christmas Eve.
I considered as my Christmas gifts the C whistles (and one D, it was a set) that I bought in early December.
In truth, though, the best whistle-related gift I got was my folks getting all my family whistles for Christmas after hearing me play. I even got to give an impromptu lesson to a niece and a nephew. My brother, dad, and I played along a bit with one another, too, which was great, even if it didn’t sound so great… They all listened to me play a song or two, as well. My hope: that they’ll truly find the whistle as enjoyable as I do. It’d be great to have a whole family of whistlers.
As I have mentioned in another post, I received an original Clarke D and a Waltons C for Christmas. They came as a complete surprise, since I had not asked for any, and had made no recommendations. I don’t know how my wife lucked into the two that I was actually considering. She went to two different stores for them, so the sales people must have been helpful. With all the playing I have been doing lately, however, she may now be regretting it.
And a set of pan pipes. Don’t laugh. Those things are hard to play. They make my head spin.
I laughed my head off because it reminded me of Harry Hill saying he thought he’d got a big set of felt tips for Christmas and was bitterly dissappointed when it was pan pipes.
happy belated Christmas!
I’m back from the “land of ante-diluvian computers” and online again.
I sent a Clarke Original natural to a friend as a “birthmas” present and got a nice book on whistles myself.
I guess this is as good a place as any for my first post.
I received a Burke composite low d for Christmas. I’ve just recently started on the whistle in earnest but I’ve played a little over several years. This forum is a great help.
Bravo, tinman, glad to have you with us! What a great present to play with!
I only ever tried one low D, a Sweetheart wood one. I think low Ds are still in my future. But I’m having fun with my Burke low A in aluminum (thought I need more work to sound good on it!)
Don’t laugh. Those things are hard to play. They make my head spin. 