I wasn’t sure if I should put this post under flutes or whistles, so I flipped a coin.
For you flute/whistlers out there, what dictates when you play a flute and when you play a whistle? Honestly, I received my Dixon flute a few weeks back, and I haven’t touched any of my whistles - minus the occasional “toot” - since then.
Personally, I can play the flute faster than I can play any low D whistle I’ve tried. I seem to have more control over the tone and the dynamics on the flute than on the whistle. And most importantly, it’s just as fun to play as the whistle. I still practice my modern flute semi-religiously, but a small part of me feels like practicing is a chore. The keyless is just fun.
Someone out there! Please stand up for the whistle! Tell me I’m wrong… I’ve got 2 dozen little tubes made of various material begging for you to speak up.
I was having the same problem some time ago. The solution was simple. I started playing the flute and when I felt that I’d be passing out in next few seconds I changed to whistle. Playing the flute really gets all air out of my lungs.
Now the only problem is finding practice time for pipes since I’m having so much fluteywhistley fun.
Aaaa…
Arto
[ This Message was edited by: Arto_Vallivirta on 2001-10-24 02:28 ]
I know what you mean. I just got my first trad flute (a McGee 6-keyed beauty) and am playing alot less whistle since… But that is just the infatuation of my new romance with this flute. I’m finding that I’ve been playing alot more airs and hornpipes with the flute than I did on whistle. I used to like slow airs on the low whistle, I now find the flute much more satisfying for the tone and dynamic control possible. But when I need the speed for a reel or jig I get out the whistles! I am also finding that my ornaments are a little different and less frequent on the flute.
I just play whatever instrument suits my mood at the moment. This can be one of many whistles, my Schultz flute, or possibly mandolin, banjo, or who knows. Trying your favorite tunes on a different instrument can often give you new insight into the tunes.
Just how much difference is there in the finger stretch between a keyless flute and a low D whistle?
I can just barely play a low D whistle using piper’s grip… I wonder if I could manage one of Tony Dixon’s flutes.
On 2001-10-24 09:09, raindog1970 wrote:
Just how much difference is there in the finger stretch between a keyless flute and a low D whistle?
I can just barely play a low D whistle using piper’s grip… I wonder if I could manage one of Tony Dixon’s flutes.
The flute seems to be a little less of a stretch than most of my low D’s. However, I really don’t have any problems playing any of my low D’s - even without a piper’s grip. In fact, I’ve got the reverse problem: Any whistle above high Eb has holes too close together to be comfortable.
Dunno about the Dixon Flutes, but my M&E is considerably less of a finger stretch than my Howard low D. Plus the hand position makes it easier to cover the holes on the flute without using the piper’s grip (which is a must on the Howard low D).
The piper’s grip required for many low whistles is not so much because of hole spacing, IMHO, as it is because of hole size and because the hands are set so low that they sort of point down at an angle. Anyway, with a flute, that is not a problem.
I just held my low D Overton up against my McGee and found that the top three holes were about the same, but that the bottom three where much closer together on the flute. I don’t know acustically why this should be so, but am glad it is. I agree with the above that because of the position of the flute when playing that pipers fingering is not necessary. In fact if you ever get some keys put on your simple flute it would be impossible to use them properly with pipers fingering.
Clark
[ This Message was edited by: clark on 2001-10-24 17:40 ]
I play a bit of both, but prefer the whistle for most tunes, mainly because my flute is not that great and I play the whistle better.
To take it a bit deeper: I like the sound of a well-played flute, and it’s fun to play. But the simplicity and inexpensiveness of the whistle appeals to me–Not a financial issue, but a philosophical one. I like the idea of a world-class player tearing it up with the best of them on a $10 instrument. I am a great lover of fine, hand crafted instruments (as well as fine bows, arrows, knife handles, and other things hand-made of wood), but with the whistle it’s different: The beauty of a low-end whistle is in the heart of the player, rather than in the instrument itself.
In addition to this (or perhaps because of it), the whistle is more “innocent” sounding somehow than the flute…
I guess I play the whistle because, well, I like the whistle.