Went in to the Hobgoblin shop (Birmingham) and walked out with the Dixon DX006D (aluminium with polymer head and a slide) and ooh, it’s nice! I looked at the polymer one which was nice, but not quite there (seemed a little quiet and huffy to me?); the piccolos were not nice (um. you may want to take that with a bucket of salt); I liked the trad very nearly as much as this one but not quite. I’m not convinced I liked this one three times as much as the trad (which is what it cost), but I did like it more, and I had just had a horrible time at the hospital, so I wanted the nicest I could afford…
and it was a total lesson in the value of going and trying them out. This one wasn’t even on my list of possibles when I was looking online, which is interesting. They also had the chieftains, which were nice, but I didn’t think they were three and a half times as good as the dixon - but I could be biased, as they were out of my budget!
I love how easy it is to play; I’m just getting into whistling (if that’s the right word) after playing the classical flute for a long time. Not particularly well, but it has been a long time. I started with a low whistle, because I loved the sound, and am quickly getting sucked in; and I like that it’s loudish without being shrill, not breathy (I like low whistles breathy but not the high) but doesn’t sound like a recorder. And compared to my other instruments - so portable. Anyway. I am very excited about it, and hoped someone here might empathise…
I also came to whistles from flute. I played years ago, then recently picked the flute up again. I like that the whistles don’t bother my hands and neck as much as the flute. I have tried out several whistles in the past few months. I thought I knew what I wanted, then I got this little WD Sweet whistle. I love it! It was more than I wanted to spend initially. Funny how my price range kept going up as I tried different whistles. It wasn’t nearly as much as my Yamaha flute or my guitar, though. Welcome from one newbie to another.
I’ve got a yamaha flute too, which i love to bits, but it’s not portable. I’m also coming to love that high carrying sweetness of the whistle (not entirely sure my neighbours will agree, ahem.) I recently picked up an old wooden piccolo on ebay, which makes a lovely noise but needs some work. Unfortunately it’s a high-playing Eb, which is fine for playing on my own but a bit obscure otherwise, hence the whistling.
Similar story here, nasty illness and a longish spell in the hospital, should have died but didn’t so celebrated with the purchase of an Oz whistle.
I haven’t really introduced myself yet, I will one day, severe lack of energy and a muddled brain due to the drugs administered during my illness are my excuse.
I was, and still am a raw beginner, but making progress. It is a good idea to start with a good instrument, any errors are that of the player! I own too many cheapies, which I still play, but nothing compares to the luxury of the Oz. Good move, Ducks, you won’t regret it.
oooooh, I covet one of those; but I’d have to sell my flute, and I really don’t want to, and I think having a whistle that much better than me would scare me.
hope the muddling lessens soon, I only had one bad day, which was not so bad - and today I have discovered you can whistle lying down under a duvet. Take care.
