Is anybody else amazed at how so many different makers get so many different sounds out of something as apparently simple as the whistle?
The other day, after another package came with a whistle in it, my wife asked whether I had any that just seemed too similar. I don’t, but it’s something that I have been concerned about. The latest whistle was a Silkstone alloy, and I had heard that it had a pure sound, easy to play, pretty loud, and I thought it might play an awful lot like my Burke Al. One toot and I knew that wasn’t the case. It’s much more mellow than the Burke. I thought the Busman (brewerpaul) might be too similar to the Thin Weasel, but it’s more balanced across the octaves and has a little less edge. Burke brass is more complex than the Al, TW more complex than the WW. Etc.
I had thought that my WhOA was entirely the search for the perfect-sounding whistle, but now I realize that the fun is mostly in the different sounds. There’s one (or more) for every mood – relaxed? Silkstone; nervous? Thin Weasel; pensive? Abell; etc.
Interesting…
I agree that it is pretty amazing how varied whistles can play and sound. Even identical whistles by the same maker will be different!
Choosing a whistle to play is sometimes determined by mood, and sometimes by circumstance ( for example a loud session with several fiddles, banjos and accordians requires a kick-a** whistle so you can hear yourself!)
Sue
You’ve hit the nail square on the head here man! I started out buying a ton of differnt whistles for the same reason: To find the best one for me. However, the more I bought, the more I liked. For the most part they are all different, and wonderful in their own ways.
Granted, some are much better overall than others, but as I’m forced to part with the vast majority of my whistles, it’s been agonizing trying to decide which to give up and which to keep - they all have one or more qualities that I really dig.
Having a number of different whistles is a lot like having really good ice cream in a bunch of flavors: You don’t need all that variety, but damn it’s enjoyable to sample all those different flavors now and then!
Now, where’d I put that Chunky Monkey Cocus Weasel? Time for another taste of that smooth Flava! Mmm Mmm!!!
On 2002-06-05 19:11, WhistlingSouthpaw wrote:
I think it’s time to put some serious legislation through congress mandating Whistle Affirmative Action (WAA).
Every whistle, regardless of make or metal, should be given an equal opportunity to succeed. It’s the American dream.
Yes. Each model should be given the opportunity to belong to me.