I just got an Elfsong Chanter Whistle in D and while it is beautiful, I am very disappointed in the sound. I have been playing a Susato in C and I am MUCH happier with it. It seems clearer, louder, and easier to play. With the Elfsong whistle I feel like no matter which way I blow it starts to squeal. I also noticed that I have to blow really gently with it, which is okay, but it just sounds really frail. I have experimented with all kinds of air pressure.
I have heard great reviews on the Elfsong whistle, so I am going to assume I am doing something wrong. Can any of you with experience on the Elfsong Chanter whistle give me some pointers? If I just can’t get the hang of it I’ll just stick to the Susatos, which are pretty incredible by the way.
I would like to believe that I didn’t just dump a bunch of cash on a piece of crap and that it’s my technique that’s crap, so help a guy out and get me on the right track. If I just can’t get it in gear I’ll be willing to sell the Elfsong for $50, which is what I paid for it. It looks mint and is a beautifully crafted instrument. It just sounds like a whipped schoolgirl.
I have C & D Elfsong whistles and love them as has everyone who has heard them. No funny noises even when really laid into. Don’t want to make any assumptions here, but are you used to switching between whistle and pipe fingerings?
Yes, I play a regular Susato in C that uses the regular 6 hole fingering, so it shouldn’t be an issue.
PLUS, this is the “Elfsong CHANTER Whistle” that uses the 8 hole system of bagpipers. It was designed to be used with pipe fingerings. And for the record, I’ve tried it with both regular whistle and pipe fingerings. Same results.
If you find a solution, let me know. I have one of the chanter whistles, and had similar problems (which I haven’t had on any regular whistle), plus the tuning left something to be desired. Its also really difficult to go up to the high A (in GHB terms; high d in whistle terms) cleanly. The GHB ornaments do NOT come out cleanly (I’ve been playing pipes and whistle long enough to know its the whistle, not me). And in general, although its beautiful, the tone leaves a lot to be desired. At least you payed less that I did, it seems the price has come down.
I emailed the maker after I got it, and the response was something like “you just need to practice more”. Not that helpful. Sorry not to have better news, please do let me know if you find a solution, right now mine is just sitting on the shelf useless. Anyone thinking about getting one of these to play GHB music, I’d recommend getting a whistle from one of the makers that will put a low C hole on instead, and giving up on the idea of using GHB fingering and gracing. You can adapt the ornaments pretty easily anyway.
I am sorry BESharp, to hear your troubles with the “chanter” whistle as I have had a similar experience with a Bb Elfsong Chanter whistle. I put it down to the whistle at first because it was so quite and I could not control the breath requirements without the said noises. However after leaving it on the shelf for a year or two, I came back to it and found I had much more control over it and managed to get a couple of tunes that were relatively accteptable - I surprised myself. Now don’t get me wrong, it does not match up to the GHB practice chanter in response and ease etc. and will not be able to replace that as a practice tool. We are talking about a reed instrument that requires a certain amount of pressure and constructed differently. The ornaments (doublings, tarlouths etc) will never sound the same, but I believe with much practice can be managed. The finger holes are in the wrong place and size to convert easily from the GHB to the whistle. The byrl for instance is near impossible on the whistle for me. The stretch is too much and the hole is too big. It means that I have to adapt my fingering to get the right sounds, which I am not sure I want to do as it may interfere with my GHB playing in an unacceptable way. That said, if you leave out the ornaments and just play with grace noting where appropriate, I believe it can be mastered and found to sound very beautiful - practice will benefit and for me will take a lot longer I think than a practicing a new whistle with traditional fingering. I have found it to be like a new instrument altogether, and not an easy one. It truly is a beautiful whistle and one that I hope to get to grips with (pun intended for ghb’s) one day. I have considered making myself another tube with 6 holes so that I don’t waste it , but await that rainy day. All the best with it and give the whistle and yourself a chance, you may surprise yourself
I, too, experienced some frustration adapting to the required breath control. However, my greater frustration was with clogging and moisture control. You may be experiencing that, too, for it seems that the presence of the smallest particles will send the notes into the second register.
As an experiment I replaced the metal fipple with a plastic fipple from a Clarke pennywhistle. It took only a small length of 1/2" copper pipe and a 39 cent joining sleeve… exactly the kind Sandy uses for her metal fipples.
What a difference! I was happy with the instrument before, but now I’m absolutely thrilled with it. More robust sound, with more volume in the lower notes of the lower register.
Based on this success, I’m planning to order a second chanter whistle in the key of Bb/A.