I just joined. I have been playing weekly in a small group for about 7 months and just wanted to say how great it is to better your skills when you play with people. It was scary at first because I had not touched my whistles in almost 15 years. Now, I carry a few with me where ever I go. My favorite one to play right now is my Blackbird (Jerry Freeman!) the others are Busman, Mellow Dog, Susato set, and numerous generations. I have an Overton Low D and have lots of trouble playing it. My fingers are just too weak and cramp up trying to cover the holes. I keep on trying. I don’t play the susato’s much either because I run out of breath too easily. I think I will be able to play them once I get better at everything else.
Well, that’s a little long winded for an introduction. I just wanted to say hello.
Oh, real name is Karen!
If you are ever in Marin or West Marin (North Bay), CA there are two learning sessions you might want to try. Mondays in Point Reyes and Wednesdays in Terra Linda. Calendar: http://tinyurl.com/cz73rf
You are so welcome. I have continued to play the blackbird every day since I got it. I see it has it’s own well deserved thread on here.
all the best,
karen
I have always been drawn to the whistle in music. I had a pretty limited collection of music with whistle on it though. However, every time I heard a tune it would make me feel moved and happy. After the birth of my twins, I ran a day care for 5 years. It was after about the first year that I felt like I was losing myself. Meaning spending so much time caring for others that I was not caring for myself. On a trip up to Mendocino with the family, we went to Lark in the Morning and I found a Clark whistle that came with a booklet and cassette. From that day on, I started teaching myself. When I had learned a tune, my sons would put a sticker next to it on the page. I taught myself how to play nursery rhyme tunes and happy birthday by ear. I spent many afternoons watching the children play and playing tunes for them. It was a great pocket traveler and went with us to the park. It was a great way to feel like I was growing as a person as well as being a caretaker. Since there were no other musicians in the house, there was a point where I just stopped learning. (before the internet explosion) I played the same songs and felt that I did not have the time to keep following through with the cassette and booklet. I never got to the hard songs. I went back to work when the boys went into the 1st grade. Over time, I only picked up the whistles about once a year and was always amazed at muscle memory. I would start blowing notes and find part of the middle of a B part of a tune and then come around to the A part and then remember the tune! Even though I wasn’t playing much, I was still buying whistles. I couldn’t resist getting one at a garage sale. I had always missed it but felt like I had come across a road block. I didn’t feel authentic (if that’s the right word) and had no one to give me advice. That was until last summer. A slow trad session was starting up and I went to the first one and was hooked from that moment on. I have not missed a single week. In addition to the weekly group, I have tried joining a real session (whew!) and played a few places in public to get over stage fright. (not!) I think the authentic part comes out when I play with other musicians. It’s such a joy. Oh and learning what all the different keys and tempos mean and finding the heart of a song to learn it by ear. Still learning all those things…but this time I’m not alone.
Oh, how lucky your day care kids were to have you. They’re going to wonder why they’re drawn to whistles later on in life. My wife babysits children at their home and exposes the kids to all kinds of music. I get to see the kids occasionally and always make sure I have some type of instrument in my pocket when I see them. After playing a quick song or note, the kids gotta try it out too, slobber and all. One day I forgot, so I lip-whistled. They thought it was magic.
That is sweet. I bet they love it when you visit. I kept a spare whistle in my pocket if anyone wanted to try it. I wasn’t too keen on passing my whistle around. We had some interesting duets for sure.
Thanks. I can relate to your avatar!!
Here is another hummer image.
They are migrating through CA right now and it’s ridiculously easy to experience this.
The best time is in the evening before dark when the hummers are stocking up before sleep.
Just put your finger in front of the drinking hole and wait.
