I’ve been diligently playing my Feadog whenever the hubby isn’t home, recording the tunes I’ve been woorking on to let him hear it at his leisure (and with the beauty of the recording program, he can add enough reverb to it so as to cut out some of the shrillness–something he wishes existed in our living room).
So I was on my way to the bank to deposit my paycheck, and I happened to pass by the music store…the same one I bought the Feadog from. I was originally to see what tutorial books they might have, but then, sitting next to the display of Feadogs, was a Clarke. The fellow behind the counter saw me looking, and when I reached for the Clarke, he offered a slide whistle to go along with it–two whistles for the price of one. (The slide whistle is nothing fancy, plastic. I’m thinking of giving the slide whistle to my 3-year-old nephew for x-mas)
Now I’ve been spent a couple of hours so far trying to get aquainted with the Clarke. Aside from requiring more air than the Feadog, it also sounds very “breathy”. Not sure if this is just the way the instrument is supposed to play, or if there’s something I’m not doing right. It sounds quieter than the Feadog, which maybe means I won’t have to wait til I’m home alone to play. But I am finding it difficult to maintain a good tone with the Clarke.
Also I’ll point out that I’m not familiar with playing on a wooden fipple…and don’t know if there are any “should/should-nots” that I need know about. The leaflet that came with the whistle doesn’t give much to go on with that.
The Clarkes are breathy like you describe, some more than others. Some of them sound really good, others are a little “dead”. Did you get one in C or D?
Some people squash the airway of the Clarkes so they require less air. On the other hand some people (usually flute players) open them up even more, so they can play using a lot of air.
A more expensive relative of the Clarke is the Shaw.
The breathiness is exactly why I gave my Clarke away. A friend told me that’s a more “traditional” sound, but I just don’t like it after playing a Generation and a Meg and a Sweetone. I’ll be interested to see the responses here, because maybe I was doing something wrong, too, and maybe I should give it another go.
Clarkes are breathy. Very. I like the sound, a lot of the time (and it’s a very traditional tinwhistle tone) but there are strong preferences going both ways on the board.
I don’t think anyone has tapped the Clarke as “easy to play” though. It doesn’t really require as much air as you may think (there’s no backpressure, so the tendency is to blow harder than really necessary) but they do need more wind than any of the common plastic-top whistles. The trick that works for me is to blow “across” the wooden block (and don’t expect any backpressure) - when I do this, it seems easier to deal with.
If you like the sound, but find the air demands a little high, you might try buying a tweaked Clarke (the Whistle Shop) or a Jerry Freeman tweaked Shaw (the Whistle Shop and Gaelic Crossings both carry this).
Or get a Serpent Sweet Polly - not at all traditional looking, but a very husky/breathy tone (and easy to play). Be warned that there are VERY strong opinions on the Serpents, though - some folks like the sound (I do), while others find them much too breathy (no worse than a Clarke, but they don’t have tradition behind 'em to make it acceptable ).
I like my Clarke. Not my very favorite whistle, but I’m glad I have it - especially nice for late-night playing.
Hmm. Have you tried a Sweetone or Meg? Not quite as breathy as the original model, but they have at least some of its character.
I love the sound of my good Clarke. The only 2 reasons i don’t play it more often: (1) it’s in C, and (2) it’s not tunable. But keep in mind i’m still foremost a flute player.
Given the amount of metal that surrounds the fipple, I’d imagine that to be quite a challenge, once I shouldn’t have to be careful of. All the same, your suggestion is noted, Glauber!
The Clarkes are breathy like you describe, some more than others. Some of them sound really good, others are a little “dead”. Did you get one in C or D?
I bought one in D, since that was the same key as my Feadog. I wanted to make sure that the differences I’d hear was a result of the different instrument, as opposed to the differences in pitch.
Some people squash the airway of the Clarkes so they require less air. On the other hand some people (usually flute players) open them up even more, so they can play using a lot of air.
I’m getting some very odd mental images here. “Squash” the airway? Do I even want to know the methods people use to accomplish this? (the most prominent image that comes to mind is running over said instrument with the car…not that I’d attempt it, but then I have a strange imagination.)
If there is a simple way to lower the amount of air required, I’d be interested to hear it.
I put mine upside down on the workbench and hit it with a hammer.
OKOK I tapped it, with a light hammer - the metal is fairly thin. The only problem is, from simple physics, if you squash the airway down, the metal has to go somewhere, and the sides tend to bulge out a bit. Still, it works, and if you go to far, you can open it up again by squeezing the sides a little.
I love my Clarke original in C. It is what I started with. It is breathy. The current models are very close to the original design from 1843, so it is historical. My main complaint is that the upper register requires a lot of air. It does get better with practice, but a Clarke original is not as easy to play as some other models.
Either method will work, actually, you just have more control with one.
Here is an idea to implement: before smashing down the windway, place something in there that will restrict the windway to the height that you expect will work. Maybe start with something 50% of its current height. Do the dirty deed and try the instrument. Make finer adjustments from there. I think a butter or steak knife would work just peachy for this.
That should give you an idea of what I think of them.
Just plain don’t like the sound when compared to my other whistles. I rarely play the thing and then I pick it up, play a tune and wonder what possessed me to do that.
After having spent a bit more time with the Clarke, and in the hubby’s presence, I’m not so sure I’ll be able to call it “mine” much longer. Seems he’s taken a bit of a liking to the way it sounds, and plays… and he can manage a smoother tone than I can…
Our anniversary is coming up soon, later this month, and I may say “here hon, enjoy”, and present him with a Clarke of his own. Or maybe instead I’ll let him keep this one, with plans to give myself a happy birthday present in September.
The tweaked whistles seem interesting, I’d be very tempted to try them out… except it’d have to be a bit of a belated birthday present, seeing as hubby and I are going to be in the Denver, CO area from early September til about the 20th.
But really, to be truthful, before I invest in too many more whistles (I have a strong suspicion my collection is just beginning), I’d like to try other whistles out. I haven’t seen any whistle shops in my area, so that’s going to make things a bit more difficult. I wonder though, would any have suggestions as to places I might look while visiting areas in and around Denver? (I’ll be there about 2 weeks, one week of which will be spent calming a nervous bride before her wedding, but figure there will be time after the wedding to explore music stores)
As far as places in and around where you will be, I am not so sure. I know that Mack Hoover lives in CO someplace and he has an open invitation for people to contact him about coming over to see his shop. He should be in full swing making whistles by that time. You will see MANY references to his work on this forum. Do a search on WHITECAP to get an idea. Be sure to bring your 'dog for him to look at!!!
My main suggestion would be to keep an eye out on this forum. Great deals can be gotten for those that are patient and fast on the keyboard. Lots of whistles are bought, sold and traded right here amongst Chiffers.
Also watch your PM box. Once it is known you are in accumulation mode, you just never know what will show up.
One last bit: Why does it have to be a BELATED gift? It sounds like you need a quick indoctrination into WhOA*. Your comments leads me to believe it is still in incubation mode, but gaining strength quickly. As you have found out, through your hubbies actions, it is also quite contagious. NEVER wait to satisfiy its cravings, it just makes them worse in the long run! I speak from experience.
added: * WhOA is Whistle Obsessive Aquisition disorder. This malady aflicts literally hundreds, if not thousands, of unsuspection humans that purchase whistles. There is no know cure, it can only be held partially in check by the continuous and regular purchacing, selling and trading of whistles. If you are receiving this message it is already too late!
The reason it would be a belated gift:
We’re going to be in Colorado from September 3rd through about the 20th. (We’re going to be driving back home, so I’m not completely sure when our arrival will be.) My birthday falls on the 15th, during our trip, so I’m hesitant to do any ordering before we leave, in case it gets here before we do, and they decide to just leave it out on the front steps. (I read some of the horror stories of UPS & USPS in an earlier post.)
The reason I’d have to order it: the music shop I bought both my Feadog and Clarke from have that as their selection of whistles. There’s no place else around here locally I can think of that has whistles for sale..
I’d still like to get my hands on one BEFORE I buy my next one, so I would know beforehand what it sounds like. Sure, I could buy, try, then attempt a trade… but it would be difficult to do the buy part without my own paycheck coming in—all of hubby’s pay goes to rent, utilities, groceries, and student loans. I would want to make sure that what I’m getting will be pleasant on the ears, as well as easy on the playing.
I tweaked my Clarke original by placing it on my desk, window opening down, and pounding it gently with my fist.
The result didn’t play at all, so I got a chopstick and pushed the blade down a bit. That helped, but I figured I’d gone too far, so I used the side of a pocket knife blade to move it back up a bit.
In the end, it sounds very nice, a bit sweet, not too breathy, and fairly quiet. The wooden fipple block is a bit loose, and I haven’t tried to pin it in place yet. If I soak it in water, the block swells so that it’s pretty tight, and I just slide it into position for the best sound.
The Clarke is now my upstairs whistle, because I don’t have to worry about it rolling off my bedside table and getting dinged up.
I have a Feadog with a Whitecap that used to have that position, but it’s out on loan at the moment.
My assessment of the Clarke is dripping with sentimentality: first whistle I learned to play on was the Clarke C (with a Bill Ochs package), it’s so traditional and folksy looking and has history, blah, blah. But, you know what, it has a lovely tone as is without any tweaking or mashing and I never noted that it was particularly difficult to play at any time. I have several Clarke D and C whistles.
I think my Clarkes look and sound beautiful and I would never let them go. OTOH, my least favorite whistles are the plasticy toy-looking, easy to play, pure Sweetones.
I believe, however, that I am among the minority regarding the above.
The Clarke original is just the sweetest lil whistle, and i love mine to death,
But like yourself it wasnt always so,
do a search in the archives as there are many previous threads regarding this subject, the tweaks described are well worth the effort, dont be shy, read carefully and just do it,
you wont be dissappointed,
Regards
David
).
Given the amount of metal that surrounds the fipple, I’d imagine that to be quite a challenge, once I shouldn’t have to be careful of. All the same, your suggestion is noted, Glauber!
