Hi ho, everyone. I’ve been skimming the fora and absorbing as much information as I can from the internet, but I thought I’d introduce myself here.
I’ve played plain old flute since I was 7, and pic since I was about 16 - I’m 23 now, so you can do that math. I’ve got a little wooden pic (in C) that I got at a ren fair, and an ocarina in f# that I like to toodle around on, but I never really learned how to ‘improvise’ well, so my err, reportoire is lacking. In any case, spurned on by a recent re-obsession with Flogging Molly, I’ve decided that tinwhistle might be a good, and economic, addition to my ‘toy’ collection. (At least until I catch this WhOA you people seem to spread.) I also like the idea of re-educating myself to learn by ear from CDs. I’ll probably make a stop off at my local music store and see if they’ve got any of the $10 variety of whistles this week, but I’ve seen this “Duos” made by Dixon that seems like it would fit me pretty well, if I ever get into the hobby. My poor dog will never forgive me.
Aside from music, I live in Pittsburgh (We’ve got an Irish center, but I can’t find information on whether they teach such music lessons or not.) so if anyone’s from around here, give a shout. I’m a computer science student, and a web designer. (And I use Linux, w00t!) I’ve got too many hobbies to count, but most recently include knitting and various other crafts. Also, geocaching is a great pastime here in PA, with our beautiful forests. I started a rose & veggie garden this year that seems to be doing better than I’d hoped, though my green thumb could use a bit of practice. I used to play a lot more video games than I do now, but I’m best at first person shooters. Music-wise, I like mostly punk and ska, hence the flogging molly, but I also get a kick out of show tunes and disney music on occasion. I’m also eagerly awaiting the release of the next Harry Potter book. grin
So, it’s nice to meet you all, and if anyone has specific recs for cd/book sets, I’d appreciate it muchly. I’m terribly sorry if this is OT, you can boot the topic somewhere else if need be.
I’ve decided that tinwhistle might be a good, and economic, addition to my ‘toy’ collection. (At least until I catch this WhOA you people seem to spread.)
It wont stay economic for long. I’ve been playing since March, started with cheapos bought for loose change on ebay, I’m now awaiting a pair of Reyburns. I’d like some Overtons in the future, economic? - hardly!
Never buy one of those cheap pennywhistles. They are a gateway drug for much harder and more expensive drugs such as woodenflutes and uilleann bagpipes.
You already have it. You’ll get over the denial stage soon enough. . . don’t worry.
I’ve seen this “Duos” made by Dixon that seems like it would fit me pretty well, if I ever get into the hobby. My poor dog will never forgive me.
You’re right, if you do that, your dog won’t forgive you. You won’t forgive you, either, if you go with a Duo.
You have enough experience that you’ll be frustrated with anything less than the hard stuff. I second the motion to go straight for a wooden flute.
There are lots better choices. Don’t purchase anything more than a tweaked whistle from www.whistleshop.com until you’ve been here for at least a month and you’ve drooled sufficiently over all the lovely flutes and whistles at www.irishflutestore.com.
fancypiper’s got it right - tinwhistles are a gateway drug.
I’m pretty satisfied with my current whistles (though there ARE a few that I’d like to add), but now I’m working on resisting the call of the wooden flute. (Kind of like the Call of Chthulhu, but fewer tentacles).
All joking aside - though it’s easy to slip into full-blown WhOA, a few good cheap whistles may be all you ever need. And unless you slip into the whistles-as-visual-art mode, even the high-end whistles aren’t really that expensive on the grand scale of things.
A word of advice - a good cheap whistle can be wonderful, but the variability is high. For whatever reason, some models seem to be much more reliable than others. Going by my own experience I’d recommend a Clarke Sweetone D or Walton’s C whistle to start with ($5-$6), or spend a bit more and get a Jerry Freeman tweeked Sweetone (~$15).
These days, I’ve got a few high-end and midrange whistles that get a lot of play. But I also spend considerable time with my favorite mass-market cheapies.
There are folks on this board that are far better players than I am, or likely ever will be - and most of those I’ve met have a soft spot in their heart for the cheapies.
Music-wise, I like mostly punk and ska, hence the flogging molly, but I also get a kick out of show tunes and disney music on occasion. I’m also eagerly awaiting the release of the next Harry Potter book. grin