Just thought that since I’m new 'ere I’d say a little hello to all, so - Hello all I’m somewhat of a newb at whistle playing, been at it fer 6 months or so, and I only know 2 traditional songs, the rest are mostly contemporary. Havent yet figured out how to write m’own songs yet, any suggestions welcome by the way. The only whistle I have is a cheapo Generation high D, and its rather twitchy at times but I think its the only whistle brand availible in my country. Oneday however I’ll get something better. Trying my hand at making my own whistle’s too, but thats another story.
Anyway, I’ll try not to annoy everyone with newb questions
I’m a bit surprised someone knew that Though I’m a bit embarassed to say I dont know a heck of alot about Impempe whistle’s, I got into whistle playing mainly for irish tunes as thats what I grew up with the most.
There is a style of sorts out here, they use whistles in a form of african jazz called Kwela. Its very hard to describe, but very different from celtic styles. I was under the impression Impempe whistles were different from normal whistles - I’m a newb
I don’t write music a lot, and not very good, but I got two suggestions. First, improvise. A lot. Just make stuff up, or play a tune and improvise variations on it, make a new tune based off it, improvise along with a recording, etc. Improvising, however it’s done, sharpens your intellectual musical skills (you have no idea how hard that was to type it without a ). Also, immerse yourself. You want to write irish-sounding stuff, play and listen to lots of irish stuff. Scottish, do Scottish. Kwela, do Kwela. 19th Century-style Classical, do 19th Century-style Classical (which would sound pretty wicked on a whisle, I must say). Et cetera.
I think the whistles at the website fearfaoin posted are constructed like many penny whistles used for Irish music. There are many kinds, people disagree on what the right sound is, etc., etc.,. I have not heard one of these and am too much of a newb myself to judge anyway, but if you could try one out it would probably be fun.
We like to answer questions. We’ve all asked a ton of them, don’t worry!
The humble Generation is still widely respected - there are few whistlers at all levels who don’t have at least one. It’s sometimes an idea to “tweak” your generation - there’s plenty of info on C&F for this - and it has been known to tame a twitchy Gen.
I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about the Impempe whistles, also, in your part of the world you might see the ocaisional Hohner - These are very respectable instruments as well.
I look forward to hearing your compositions when they start rolling!
Cynth - I think the whistle’s used for Kwela (from what I’ve heard with m’own ears) have a unique tone that comes from the impempe whistles, so I think thats why they’re used mainly.
Spoonman - thanks for the advice I’m mainly a bass player, and have been in a few bands and written my own stuff for that, but for some reason I’m just finding the whistle playing a whole new experiance, I’m glad for it though. I’m a bit of a slow learner with whistling because I’m not that good at reading music, everything I’ve learnt to play has been by ear (can read bass tablature but dont ask me to read whistle tabs) Also I’m pretty new to playing folk music, I’ve been playing somewhat more aggressive music for much longer, but I’m sure with time and practice I’ll get there and maybe someday I can sit in with a session or something.
I’ll definitely go with that then since I haven’t heard Kwela with my own ears. That is good to know.
Sir, I am not and have never been a NOOBY!!!
Gavin, the information Bloomfield has most helpfully given you is correct. Bolding the names of other posters is not required. The discerning poster, however, will want other posters to readily see that they are being spoken of.
Example:
Gavin, don’t allow Bloomfield to call you a noob.
Gavin, don’t allow Bloomfield to call you a noob.
I’m sure we’d all agree that Example 2 calls the attention of Gavin and Bloomfield to what I have said about them much more successfully than Example 1. I needn’t elaborate on this further (or farther ) I’m quite sure.
Cynth - I think the whistle’s used for Kwela (from what I’ve heard with m’own ears) have a unique tone that comes from the impempe whistles, so I think thats why they’re used mainly.
Hmm… but I thought in its heydey kwela used hohner whistles or soemthing? Or are impempe made like the old hohner’s?
I’ve also heard that Hohner’s were sort of the instrument of choice in Kwela before sax became the dominant instrument. But these Impempe whistles sound really cool, they have the same sort of appeal that I find in the Japanese SZBE whistles.
it should be pointed out that I’m not a follower of kwela…just know bits of info based on what I hear occasionally on radio/tv or sometimes see on the street. as far as history on the genre and its whistles I’m of no use. Suppose like for all of us it comes down to musician preferance at the end of the day.
You owe it to yourself to check out Ian’s Impempe whistles, since they are right near you, and are as Irish sounding as you could want! They are a very good deal for the money, and have a lovely tone.
Here’s a thread I recently resurrected (David O’Briain, a whistle maker from Canada) started the post a while back when he got one of Ian’s in a trade, as did Tommy and I as you can read here:
Oops, I have come into this rather late havn’t been onto the site for a bit…
Thought I would clear up any confusion and get it to you from the horses mouth (or should that be asses mouth) so to speak. My background is scottish and love all things celtic, so my initial reason for whistle making was because of the celt in me. However, being in SA, one is exposed to kwela music as part of our history. The Hohner was the whistle of choice and is still revered as “the” whistle for kwela music. My choice of name was to be african and in particular zulu as it is part of the heritage of this country and I wanted to concentrate locally rather than outside SA mainly because there is a lack of whistles here as Gavin said - I have only ever seen the Gen’s and Clark originals for sale. The name impempe is zulu for whistle and is made like most whistles and can be used for any genre of music. Some folk prefer different whistles for different tunes and this is no different. That being said, Elias Lerole of “Tom Hark” fame and a legendary kwela player popped in for a visit and took every last one of my whistles to promote kwela music in his music school that he runs with his family. He however wanted to commision me to make replica Hohner’s as they are no longer being made and allowed me to take measurements of the G, Bb and C that he had with him. I don’t think I am up for the task, but appreciate his sentiments and preferences. The unique positioning of the whistle in the mouth for this style of music gives a wide range of tones and shades that is unique for this style and the Hohner was and still is ideal for that.
As I have heard many times here and elsewhere, different horses for different courses and this is no different. I hope this clears up any confusion.
I’m somewhat of a newb at whistle playing, been at it fer 6 months or so, and I only know 2 traditional songs, the rest are mostly contemporary. Havent yet figured out how to write m’own songs yet, any suggestions welcome by the way. The only whistle I have is a cheapo Generation high D, and its rather twitchy at times but I think its the only whistle brand availible in my country. Oneday however I’ll get something better. Trying my hand at making my own whistle’s too, but thats another story.
Though I’m a bit embarassed to say I dont know a heck of alot about Impempe whistle’s, I got into whistle playing mainly for irish tunes as thats what I grew up with the most.
). Also, immerse yourself. You want to write irish-sounding stuff, play and listen to lots of irish stuff. Scottish, do Scottish. Kwela, do Kwela. 19th Century-style Classical, do 19th Century-style Classical (which would sound pretty wicked on a whisle, I must say). Et cetera.
