Finger ornamentation vs. tonguing...

Whistle
1

Hi all!
I have this very technical question:
I keep listening to this great recording by Solâs that continues to amaze me; track 2 on the CD “The hour before dawn”… It consists of 3 reels. The second part, “Lilac reel” features some wonderful playing by Seamus Egan. Being a beginner, I am totally baffled as to how he can possible make what he does…it’s all so fluent. I cant help but to ask: How? Is this just finger ornamention on one single, fluent stream of air, or do you suspect he uses tonguing to achieve this? I d ont know if you alla have heard this track, but you may perhaps be aquainted to his style of playing. What is the most used way to play? One long, where the fingers do all the work, or lotsa tongue?

I wonder, if this is all fingerwork (like the bulgarian ‘Kaval’ is played, anyway); how to exercise your fingers to be able to do this kind of movement this fast and, seemingly, effortless?

This man continues to amaze me, and the recordings of this band, Solâs, are warmly recommended. They may not be very bound to tradition, but have the energy and the beauty to keep me listening to them again and again, also the more simple and transparent arrangements.

Anyone?
All the best,

Eivind

2

Seamus Eagan is known more as a flute prodigy and perhaps the flute forum folks may be better able to help you.I caught him in Vienna a few years ago and my jaw hit the road. Mike

3

This is a very controversial topic apparently. The hardcore trad people will often tell you not to tougue at all. FWIW, I asked Chris Norman this question at a workshop a coupla years ago, and he said that he uses a combo of finger and tongue ornamentation, and I would have to agree. Whatever YOU like, DO it!! By all means experiment a lot, and you will find what works best for you

4

“Hardcore trad players” of whistle,use a combination of tongue and fingers to articulate. Some may use more or less of one technique. Try to listen to a CD called Totally Traditional Whistle from Ossian Records (they have a website)

Sue

5

Hear Josie McDermott play and you’ll see that hardcore trad whistlers do use tonguing too. His use of triple tonguing amazes me to no end. I was told by StevieJ that Mary Bergin also plays jigs with a slur-tongue-tongue pattern (check out more on that on Stevie’s site). Its not always true that hardcore trad players discourage tonguing.