Impromptu concert ...

Whistle
1

Today, when I went to the auction to buy the machinist’s lathe, I met the people whose stuff was being sold.

I got a little background on the lathe from them (it had been the wife’s father’s lathe), and I told them I’m going to use it to make whistles. They were interested, but I didn’t have a whistle to show them.

As it happens, I had planned to come back later with my wife’s minivan to pick up the lathe, so when I returned to the auction, I brought a whistle. (An Erle Bartlett Synwhistle. It’s a terrific whistle, BTW. I don’t know how he can sell them for so little). I found them again in the crowd and showed it to them.

The wife asked, “do you play?”

I answered, “A little bit, but I don’t know if the whistle will work in this wind,” and I played the easiest of the few tunes I know, “Scarborough Fair.” I only know a handful of tunes, but those I do know, I play fairly well.

They seemed impressed, and I was about to put the whistle back in my pocket when a little boy ran up, drawn to the sound of the playing.

The wife (his grandmother, I think) said, “Wasn’t that cool?” He nodded, and I felt obligated to play some more. So I played “Banish Misfortune” with only a few glitches, and it sounded nice.

She asked if I perform, and I told her I don’t know enough tunes because I spend more time working on whistles than on learning tunes.

Anyway, that was a sweet little encounter.

Best wishes,
Jerry

2

Nice story Jerry. Your thread prompts me to share a story of my own. A friend of mine had a little get together after church. I brought my Walton’s Irish whistle and a Low D whistle that a friend loaned me (I don’t recognize the brand, there is TSG engraved in script) to the party. I performed at the party in the garden.

I returned to church after the brunch. There are two services at my church, and I got back after second service. I go to the coffee room and perform there. The acoustics are good in the large hall. I could pick out words from many of the conversations, so I believe most people could hear me, though there was a lot of chatter. Several people come up to compliment me, including one young black man, maybe seven years old. I handed the young man my Walton’s, but his mom told him to give it back.

It was such a good experience that I may play at church more often. Lord knows I could stand more practice time. Especially in an environment with a lot of distractions. It is one thing to perform in quiet by myself, another to play to a crowd and make mistakes and keep going.

You probably have a leg up on me as far as familiar tunes, as I play mostly original compositions. Playing my own songs has one advantage in that people can not tell if I am playing correctly or not :party:

  • Bill
3

Hey Jerry-- what type of lathe did you end up with?
Little impromptu concerts like that are outstanding. No matter where you play in public, someone is likely to LOVE what you’re doing. Everyone, no matter their playing level, should try it.

4

I agree wholeheartedly. Whistles are magic.

It’s a 54" base/36" between centers Atlas “quick change” model. I spent the rest of yesterday afternoon cleaning it up. It’s a beautiful piece of machinery that just radiates creative power. (I think most craftspeople understand what I mean.)

Best wishes,
Jerry

5

I think Banish Misfortune is a hard tune. It was the first jig I ever learned, and it was not easy at all! Especially with all of those rolls. Yikes.

6

I don’t play it with rolls. That’s still ahead of me. I just play the notes without ornamentation, trying to get the swing of it (the little jig jumps on the downbeat). It sounds pretty nice that way. It’s such a lively tune, it seems to speak for itself, even without ornamentation.

Best wishes,
Jerry

7

Good show, Jerry.

Banish Misfortune is a great tune, especially if you’re playing for someone who may not have heard that kind of music before. The name alone makes me think of it as a sort of musical talisman.


N

8

Thanks for sharing a moment that is magical. It’s fun when music you make touches someone else.

9

BillChin

I too play whistle on occasion at church. Most often during communion when I usually do a plainsong on organ.

Week before last I really suprised them by getting the nerve to take the Low D( before I’ve chickened out and used a Low A or Bb). I played the air By the Side of the Rock in the Packie Byrne-Dossan of Heather book. Even the priest was taken aback. It really did turn out nicely and several voiced their appreciation of the change of pace. :party:

10

That’s one of the reasons I picked it up as my first jig to learn. And I must say, the more I play it, life seems to get better and better.

Best wishes,
Jerry