I started with high D whistles about a year ago (JF Tweaked Sweetone, Walton Nickle, Guido homemade) but got away from it after a couple months due to the hustle and bustle of life. Now I’ve picked it back up again about a month or two ago.
I always loved the sound of the Low D’s, so I picked one up at Irishfest here in Milwaukee. I thought I’d post a clip so that I can get some honest feedback on what you hear that I need to work on the most.
I’m slowly learning not to put the whistle in a death grip and am finding I can play a lot longer without fatigue because of it. I’m still getting used to the breath requirments, which I think you’ll find apparent in the overly drawn out breaths in the song. Anyway, please let me know any suggestions you may have to help me move in the right direction.
You sound like you’ve got good control of the instrument over its range; both the very low and very high notes are speaking easily and clearly for you.
I think you tried to maybe do a little “too much” with the melody–I love this air, and like it best when it’s played very simply. If you do ornament, make sure it is very cleanly done and that it doesn’t disturb the basic melody or rhythm.
Overall, very nicely done. Just keep things very clean and simple.
Gee, you’re right synergy. I guess that info would help. lol
The low D that I bought at Irishfest is a MacNeil Aluminum body. Being that it’s my first low D, I don’t know how it compares to the others out there, but I really like it.
I’m still getting used to the breath requirments, which I think you’ll find apparent in the overly drawn out breaths in the song. Anyway, please let me know any suggestions you may have to help me move in the right direction.
Just a suggestion after listening and taking into consideration your own thoughts above.
I’m not sure how much you are tonguing from the recording, however, I reckon you need a tad more to help with your breathing, phrasing etc
I’m no expert, so take what I say with a grain of salt. But, when I listened, I found myself wanting to hear more vibrato.
But I seem to recall that some folks here hate vibrato in whistling, so my opinion might be far from universal.
Actually I’m curious what others have to say about vibrato in slow tunes like this one. I would think / hope that even the folks who often frown on vibrato would appreciate it in slower tunes like this one… ?
You prolly noticed but I’d say that, as far as breathing goes, just make sure you get good deep breaths every time you breath better to have too much. And don’t let them run out at the ends of phrases. the biggest tendency when that happens is to rush the last bar or two before the end in order to get to the next pause. If you feel yourself short of air as you aproach the closing phrase than take another. those are the most crucial passages are the transitions. until it becomes natural, with aires, you always have to be thinking a few bars ahead to make sure you have the air for them.
Lol, I knew that was a macneil! I have one and when i heard the sound…yeeeeah i recognize that. Anywho, yeah nice job… I dare say i can’t do much better so hard for me to critique, haha
