For a few weeks now I’ve been playing very enthousiastically with a tin whistle, what a super instrument! My entire family (husband and 3 kids) are walking around the house with earplugs.
There are several ways to get familiar with the instrument (internet, youtube, books), but I would like to get some whistle-to-whistle lessons. Someone who can tell me if I am on the right track. Unfortunately I can’t find anyone in my neighbourhood to teach me. Therefore I am sucking in all the information I can on this forum. So, if you think all the letters on this forum are getting a bit greyish, you know that I’ve been reading a bit to much!
We have a dog in the house, and he is doing fine so far. I don’t think it’s bothering him. He is free to go to another room (or floor) though…
What tunes am I playing? Well, anything I can get my hands on. But the main idea is to go to the folk-side of the whistle. But I think that takes a lot of time practising and listening. Luckily there are a lot of pointers given here on the forum, so I’ll keep myself occupied!
@Hans: my husband asked if anyone makes electric whistles, so I can play with headphones, hahaha!
Poor man, he is suffering!
If you wish him to love your whistling, play a low F!
That is a magic whistle key.
And play your high whistles in the woods.
I had the same problem here in Amsterdam. My advise:
If you live in a big city, put a not up at the music academy (conservatorium). That’s how I found my whistle tutor.
Go to an Irish pup and talk to the bartender. Most Irish pups have an open session, and he’ll know who is into playing the whistle and may be able to get you in contact with him or her. That’s an other thing that I did. And I did end up getting my introduction to the whistle from a regular participant to the sessions.
Erskin, one of the members of this forum, has made an ocarina and other applications for an iPhone. I’ve had a friend download the application on to her iPhone and it was a blast. My wife would love me to have this application because of the earphone possibilities. I remember reading something that a whistle application is in the works.
You can play any whistle VERY quietly. Place it between your lips as usual, then slide the end of the mouthpiece down ONTO your lower lip. Now blow as usual. The wind will go over the whistle, rather than into it and will make extremely quiet music. You won’t truly get two octaves, but your brain will be tricked into thinking you are. Obviously, this is not as good as playing out loud, but it’s surprisingly good for late night practice. I’ve done this in the same room as my sleeping wife and not wakened her. Try it!
Well, I asked him tonight… not interested.
Then I told him about Loch Lomond (I was trying that beautiful song today) and he went wild!!! He knew that song. Unfortunately, he immediately thought of Runrig (not my cup of tea). I must admit that I’ve listened to that band as well (for about 1 minute or so), it is not the feeling I get from that song.
Anyway… he liked the idea(s) of Brewerpaul (and I’m not only talking about the quiet whistling…)
