Hello, New here...

Whistle
1

Hello all,
I have been reading the forum for a while and have began developing the dreaded whistle acquisition syndrome :blush:
In my youth a friend taught me to play Scarborough Fair on a Bb Generation and I found it about a month ago and started playing. Almost immediately, one of my daughters started using it as a hammer and snapped the mouth piece. (only 5 years old)
I have always fancied a low whistle and the planets aligned so I found myself driving past Hobgoblin music with just enough spare cash to procure a Chieftain low D. The marvels of youTube and I was playing passable versions of ā€œConcerning Hobbitsā€ bits of ā€œLast of the Mohiecansā€ ā€œAmazing Graceā€ the ā€œNarnian Lullabyā€ and of course my old favourite Scarborough Fair.
I learned some great bits a pieces of ornamentation and technique from various sources and then splashed out on a Dixon Trad
and a Dixon DX 203.
I love the soprano whistles as they are easier for me to play and I can learn things quite quickly on them but while I am making beautiful music whilst tackling a new tune my wife suggests that its NOT one of the the most beautiful sounds she has ever heard!!!
Anyone else have someone in their home who obviously has a serious hearing problem? :smiley:

Anyway, I am having a great time playing these things and am looking for something in the Alto range now. Brass preferred. Quite fancy a Burke from what I have read and heard on you tube but they are hard to get in the UK.

2

Probably all of us that do not live alone.

And yes that is one of the reactions many of us have experienced and not always from a five year old.

Burke whistles are very good whistles, IMO. I have a couple dozen of them in different keys and materials. They should not be too hard to come by. You should be able to order them directly from the Burke website. But then Iā€™m in the USofA so what do I know.

If you like the Dixon, why not try a Dixon in another key. Iā€™ve owned Dixons in about six or seven different keys and they were generally very nice sounding and good playing whistles.

Feadoggie

3

Welcome!

BTW, there are often great deals on used instrument on this board.
(Burkes come up regularly.)
Check often and have ready money;
http://forums.chiffandfipple.com/viewforum.php?f=35

4

Wait until winter comes and playing outdoors isnā€™t such an option, then see how your family really likes your playing. But donā€™t wait til winter to learn Christmas Carols. Start now!

Welcome.

5

Thanks everyone.
The main problem of ordering goods from the USA is that we get charged by the postal service, not just the import taxes but also a hefty fee for the fact that they have charged you the import taxes!
Iā€™ll keep a watchful eye on the for sale ads.
As for carols, Iā€™ve started already, with God rest ye merry gentlemen.

Thanks again

Jon

6

Welcome!

Anyone else have someone in their home who obviously has a serious hearing problem? > :smiley: >

Only that my audience of one prefers the store bought whistle over the Low Techs I made. :slight_smile:

Itā€™s better now because you can have the windows open and the neighbors can hear you more clearly. :smiley:

7

A very good point :slight_smile:

8

While I enjoy trying to learn to play Christmas carrols by ear, there are dots availible.
http://www.guitarnut.com/folktablature/index.html

9

Thatā€™s the mistake I always make!!