I just made my 1st purchase of a group of whistles: an original (wooden mouth piece) Clarke (D), a Meg (in C), and a Feadog… it appears that these 3 will each have a different character… (all for under $30 from thewhistleshop) - which I think I linked from tinwhistler.com…
Background… (misc ramblings…)
Why tin whistles?
Just about a month ago - my family and I attended our 1st Ren Faire (Wentzville Mo http://www.stlrenfaire.com ) which we had a great time (except for our new dog; we found out he wants to eat other dogs (he is 1/2 Jack Russel Terrier); no harm done, he just barked a lot)… gets along great with people…
Thinking about returning, but in ‘costume’ next year… didn’t have a clue as to ‘what’ I would return as… there were artists playing period recorders… and although I have no woodwind experience (other than the Flutophone and Baroque recorder…about 35 years ago…) I thought I might return as a ‘starving musician’… I purchased a NA Flute at the faire ( http://fretwellflutes.com ) but then soon realized the pentatonic scale (and non tuneable and not 440) would make it less useful when playing with others. It’s still a nice flute with a unique tuning/scale.
(I also investigated recorders, for a while… then looked at bamboo flutes ericktheflutemaker.com) … and found the pennywhistle there - and fell in love with the sound (the bamboo saxes sound like they would be fun as well)… but his price seemed a bit high ($84), at least for starting out…
There are many examples of the tinwhistle at youtube.
Yes, I suppose I could have purchased something like a Dixon Triad (?) or something similar, but thought I’d like the variety (and was really wanting an honest ‘Irish’ whistle too(hense the Feadog). Was hoping for something more ‘period’ (not plastic) - but plastic’s better than the lead they used…
I have some music background; the strongest area would be piano (40+ years on it) (have a Baldwin Acrosonic console). I also play electric bass (Gibson EB-O), guitar (it’s been a while for it) (Sigma/Martin DR-7), synths (Yamaha DX-27 and Roland XP-30). Add an accordian, a honer harmonica (around here somewhere), banjo, and I just started squeaking on a violin (the most demanding instrument I’ve attemtpted). I can play by ear, chord charts, and (haven’t kept up with this…notation). I’ve composed a few ‘simple’ songs for piano and synth (mostly 'aire/ballad/soothing sytle) and really look forward to adding more to my list.
You’ve picked some good ones to start with, although the Meg/Sweetone in C has gotten some less-than-stellar reviews. The Clarke Original is a good choice, as is the Feadóg.
The Clarke generally takes a good bit of air, so it’s fairly common practice to smash the windway down a little to lessen the air requirements. There are threads here on the forum, but it’s pretty simple.
Hello and welcome to the forum! This is a super place to ask questions and find great links. One link that I have found very useful is www.thesession.org
The penny whistle is my favourite instrument. It is easy to carry anywhere - unlike a piano!
Best of luck to you learning it. It is very rewarding. Sounds like with your experience you’ll have no trouble playing at the ren fair next year.
Funny (boatgirl) had mentioned about being easier to carry than the piano (or even a guitar really)… I had the same thoughts…
I’ll keep one in the car - good idea… (normal summertime cautions apply - no hot lips here please…well..)
I have also seen Ryan Dun’s lessons (and a few others) on You Tube - good to know others (w/ expierence) find these useful.
Thanks for the other links as well.
The Meg was only $3… so it’s not that big of a loss if it’s not that great; I thought I’d get the 'better two - and ‘more different (the wooden fipple)’ in D… bought the C for playing ‘with others’ - whenever I get to that stage…
I can’t wait for my package to arrive!!!
on another … note…
I suppose it depends on ‘faire’ rules’… if they allow a ‘wandering musician’ around the grounds… (as opposed to stage acts) I did see a dulcimer player (very impressive playing - Vince Conaway)… at that time he was ‘making rounds’ I guess (another bonus for a whistle - as long as you’re not out of breath .. you can play and walk (hmm the pied piper?)…
having too much fun - and they haven’t arrived yet…
You’ll take to the whistle quite well, I’m sure! I’m a relative newbie myself (with other musical background), and I can say that it’s rather addictive.
I suppose it depends on ‘faire’ rules’… if they allow a ‘wandering musician’ around the grounds… (as opposed to stage acts) I did see a dulcimer player (very impressive playing - Vince Conaway)… at that time he was ‘making rounds’ I guess (another bonus for a whistle - as long as you’re not out of breath .. you can play and walk (hmm the pied piper?)…
It really depends on the faire, but I would say most would frown upon bringing in your own instruments (as a patron). I worked as a stage musician at the Arizona Ren Fest for 4 years. We had two types of performers: stage acts and lane acts. Lane performers were the “wandering minstrels” as it were-- they had no set time to perform, they would simply busk in any area of the faire that was not bothering a stage act. Likewise, stage acts were also permitted to busk in the same fashion (when not on stage). Both types of musicians are under contract from the festival (i.e. paid per day) and had “hat pass” or tipping privileges.
At our festival, they would stop people at the gate with guitars and not permit them to bring them in.
However, a whistle is a small, easily concealed instrument… just be careful! Lane performers can be quite territorial!
bought the C for playing ‘with others’ - whenever I get to that stage…
Actually, playing with other’s you’re going to want a D whistle 99% of the time, as most Irish music is in D or G.
By the way, the “C” whistle is NOT the concert pitch whistle- that would be the D whistle. When playing from a D whistle, you fingered D scomes out as D, your E as E, etc.; but on a C whistle, the same two fingerings give you C and D. If they were normal orchestral instruments the D whistle would be called a C whistle and the C whistle would be called a Bb whistle; but because their lowest notes, and the major scales they most easily play, are D and C, respectively, that’s what we call 'em.
“… bought the C for playing ‘with others’ - whenever I get to that stage…”
Perhaps a more accurate statement would be “friends I play with now play in many different keys; hopefully this will accommodate some of the changes”. Our vocalists often frown (squeak, turn red etc) if we change keys (too far)
Hopefully they are in tune (I thought the Meg had a tuneable head)…and from what I read they should be pretty easy to fix if not.
They should arrive tonight - I’ll put them on the tuner and see how they do.
I really hadn’t thought about being a ‘paid performer’ at a faire (I’ve only attended one), nor playing for extended amounts of time (although it could be a lot of fun!); I’ll check into that further. But they (the flutes/whistles) would make nice ‘finishing touches’ to a costume…
They arrived on the 24th (yesterday). (purchased from thewhistleshop - which I discovered is only about 1.5 hrs from me). All were packaged well. I’m guessing this store must have them in bulk; none arrived in a ‘factory package’. (On Feadog’s site, the basic whistle also comes with a few songs, mine had none). I did receive 2 (of the same) sheets from Clarke (showing a three octave range, chromatic fingering). I think there are also 3 or 4 songs on the sheet. The print was very small and hard to read. The whistles came wrapped together in a way that the finish could not be scratched.
The Feadog was out 1st. My 1st attempt at a low D sounded more like a goose, but I soon tamed that (mostly, I still overblow it sometimes ). The sound was both clear and dirty at the same time (a good ‘dirty’). The upper notes were very clear and loud.
The Clarke original was next. The 1st thing I noticed was the seam on the back; it just felt a bit different. The sound was softer and a bit more ‘mellow’. I did notice that the attack had a bit of a bite to it, and the overall sound had more ‘breathy’ quality to it. Very nice.
Next was the Meg (the only C I have). I had difficulties in getting it to sound ‘right’; I was having more squeaks and squaks with it. Also the reach to the lowest hole is farther - just something to get used to.
I can’t say I have a favorite yet, although I might be leaning toward the Fedog more. I will have to work on the Meg more. I put some ornementations in (what I would call ‘like a slur’ or portamento/glisando and grace notes - I like the way those sound).
Each whistle came out sharp; I think the closest to 440 was the Clarke.
I must have played them all for about 2-3 hours last night. I just went through my head of a few tunes (Morning has Broken was the 1st one I attempted; it was sounding pretty good towards the end). Many times on piano/keys I’m playing more of an accompaniment part; now I have to think melody.
My playing must of not been too bad, my wife (who has stated she doesn’t like the sound of a flute) fell asleep… so did the dog (and just one chair over). I’m sure if I had been playing in the higher octaves (3?) it might have been different.
The whistle player at our session plays a Feadog. He uses a rubber band to hold a little piece of cardstock around the end of the whistle, to lengthen the tube and keep it more in tune.
Not to my knowledge, but I’ll defer to the long-time Clarke Original players as I’ve only had my three for three months, nothing special as far as care that I’ve read about.
I’ve noticed with mine that if you play it for an extended period of time the excess moisture builds up and causes some issues on the second octave. I usually just cover the hole on top of the fipple and give it a good blow to fix it.
I didn’t know if the fipple needed oiled or not - I did not see comments about that at the Clarke site either. I have noticed that wooden bodied whistles/flutes should be oiled on occasion. (I belive Almond oil was mentioned)
I’m at the 2 week mark now… and I’ve picked up a few tunes. I just worked on a ‘modern’ tune last night - “A Time for Us” - (Romeo & Juliet) - … (better on the Clarke)… been digging through some old sheet music… trying to find what I think would sound good on whistle (When I play synth - I often wonder 'what instrument fits this song and style - I tend to play more acoustic instrument patches than ‘synth’ ones.)
And - have been following Ryan Duns lessons (I think I’m on week 6 or 7)… my tunes aren’t polished yet, but pretty good.
I did find a song I really liked “Planxty Irwin” - it was on a pod cast (google irish pod cast) (from soundhenge?) - episode #51 1st song, also found the sheet music (notation) for it (although the timing and some octaves are a bit different) I use the Feadog for this one - it has a better response for the cuts - and the sound fits better - (just an opinion…) very fun song to play me likes it!
I’m not sure if one of the symptoms of the ‘dis ease’ - but I’ve found myself looking at items (such as my aluminum keyboard stand… bamboo torches.. etc) and wondering… how they would sound as a BIG whistle…
I think I’ll invest in another one - at some point (maybe a low Dixon /dual head flute/whistle… although I’m not sure I want to go all the way down to a D… maybe a Bb…)
I was hoping I could convince my wife to go to the Irish Fest in Chicago this weekend, but… (there is one in Bloomington IL in a month or two - same town as TheWhistleShop )
Hi and welcome.
Don’t oil that wooden fipple plug on the Clarke. Oil will make the moisture bead up into little round droplets that will clog the whistle.
Sounds like you’re off to a great start. The real fun comes when you start going to sessions. In fact, see if you can find any good local sessions and go now. Even if you don’t play, you can start absorbing the feel of live group music. Lots of people show up at sessions who don’t play any instrument at all, just to listen.
Once you start eyeing up the household furniture for potential whistle making material you are past help! The next step is robbing old ladies of their walking sticks, Zimmer frames . . . I know! I’ve done it! Ask anyone!
Making whistles is great fun; enjoy yourself! And welcome to the forum.
PVC pipe is dirt cheap, so mistakes won’t cost you a fortune, and you can make a set in as many keys as you want. I haven’t used these plans, but from what I can see and what I’ve heard,they will make EXCELLENT whistles.
Here is a photo (I hope - first try at inserting a picture) of a way to extend a whistle tube. Plumbing compression fittings come in various sizes. The one shown is 1/2" which fits most D tubes. The ends of the compression fitting are thin and sharp, so I grind one end off with a fine file or medium grit sandpaper. Slide the compression fitting on the tube and attach temporarily with a piece of tape. Play the whistle and move the compression fitting in and out until the bell note is in tune with the notes on both sides (be sure to check the second octave bell note as well as the bottom). When the compression fitting is where you want it, mark the tube and glue the compression fitting on with Super Glue or similar. Compression fittings are available at hardware stores and home improvement centers. The ones shown cost me US$2 for a pack of 3 at Lowe’s. Plumbing supply houses will have them cheaper and in larger sizes. The tube shown is a Walton’s D with a Hoover Whitecap.
Hey! I’m a noob as well.
My kids got me a Clarke Sweetone as a kind of joke (since I’ve been on a kind of Celtic kick lately).
I used to play the clarinet in High School, and I figured that I’d give their little joke a try. I’m loving my little d whistle.
I think that I’m going to give myself a year (or maybe a little more) before moving to a low D whistle.
Does anyone have any suggestions on which low D to get? I’ll want something inexpensive, but with a good sound. I don’t perform in front of people beyond my family, so I’m not concerned with whether it can be tuned or anything. I just want a nice sound is all.
Thanks folks!
.. you can play and walk (hmm the pied piper?)…
