I had been wanting to add some new keys to my whistle kit. In particular, I recently posted looking for opinions on Bb and A whistles. As usual, many from C & F responded with some very helpful information. My curiosity was sparked further regarding whistles in said keys.
As if timed to coincide with my inquiry, someone posted on a tweaked Freeman low G with some additional comments about Jerry’s Bb and A whistles. Having read many posts regarding the Freeman Generation in Bb and the incredible tone associated with it, I sent Jerry a private message last night to which he promptly responded. I further determined that the master whistle tweaker lives about twenty minutes away from me. Now for someone not afflicted with WHOA, this might be a great thing, but for me it could spell trouble.
So after the exchange of several PM’s and a phone conversation with Jerry Freeman this morning, I placed an order for Freeman tweaked Bb, A, low G, high F and high G Nickel finish Generation Whistles. Jerry was very gracious and I will be able to pick them up directly from him saving me the cost of shipment.
I figured the aquisition of these whistles from Jerry Freeman will provide me with some good quality Trad whistles, allow me to explore new keys while adding to my whistle kit, and they are priced so reasonably, it allowed me to get a few. I think this is a good way for me to determine if I want more high end or exotic material (wooden) whistles in keys other than D and C.
On a side note, I told Jerry that when I was a kid, I use to hunt for Ruffed Grouse right near where he now lives. Small world.
So before any of my C & F pals try to initiate an intervention regarding my acute
WHOA, it’s too late for me lads, I am in a “Freeman Free Fall”. I shall post on the tweakers when I get them and have had a few toots.
well that took ya long enough to figure out now, didn’t it!
yeah, when ya get’em all… then don’t forget to “hunt” in another twenty minute direction… Walt Sweet, http://wdsweetflutes.com/ as you got two of the best in yer stomping ground
intervention??? the economy needs fixing lad, lots more fixin’ and the whistle craftsman is a good starting place… intervention??? get’em all! buckshot
and double-ought… how many whistles fit in dat new soft whistle bag yer getting? actually, kill-shot! just a newbie, just saying
Ytliek - Just doing my part to keep the whistle makers gainfully plying their craft. I do consider myself fortunate to have some great whistle craftsman in my neighborhood
By the way, much respect for your Avatar and your service!
Steve,
I had it figured you would be coming at me on the new whistles, but to criticize a man for succumbing to the latest trend in fashion? Now that’s a blow below the belt my friend. My bloomers are a bit different than the example you have posted here. Mine have six tone holes printed over the fly.
Steve,
Agreed, Jerry seemed like a great guy while I was taliking to him. The geographical location does put me in good proximity to some great makers.
I hold Jerry’s work in the highest regard, but I doubt if even he could make a little high G Generation sound like anything other than an instrument of Satan and all his little wizards. I never go above Eb myself, but Mary Bergin certainly got wondrous things out of an F on her albums.
The Freeman tweaked F Generation is a surprisingly sweet, birdlike, lovely sounding whistle. Mary Bergin has one, and she said she loves it.
One of my favorite things to do at events is to hand a tweaked F Generation to someone who’s been sampling my whistles and say, “Try this.” They generally give it a quizzical look and say, “Hmmm. F?” Then they start to play it. They usually play it a long time, and people remark how beautiful it sounds.
I got Cillian Vallely and Kevin Crawford to play “The Last Pint” (usually played on low F whistles) on two tweaked F Generations after a Lunasa concert awhile back, and it worked beautifully.
Most people find the key of G Generation, whether tweaked or not, to be problematic because the toneholes are so close together. Kevin played a living room concert a few years ago, where I first met him, and he tried all my whistles between sets. He was determined to conquer the high G’s finger spacing. After a minute or two, he got going, and it sounded great. He stopped for a moment and said, “The trick is to play without any ornamentation at all.”
I sell quite a few tweaked high G whistles on eBay. My listing for them states that the finger spacing is very close and they are very high pitched, so bear that in mind before deciding to make the purchase. I’ve been surprised over the years that I can’t remember a single instance when someone complained about the shrillness or finger spacing, and many people have commented about how much they like their Freeman tweaked high G Generations.
Having said that, please be forewarned: The Freeman tweaked high G Generations, while sweeter and less shrill than untweaked high G’s, are very high pitched and quite piercing, especially at the top end. And the finger spacing is very close.
I feel compelled to add that when I said “I doubt if even he could make a little high G Generation sound like anything other than an instrument of Satan and all his little wizards” I was being light-hearted (just forgot to add a smiley face). It was not a criticism of your work in any way, Jerry. I have two of yours, a redtop C and an A, and they’re tremendous.
buckshot 
just a newbie, just saying
