Since it seems to be the right time to do it, I’ll jump from my lurker status to becoming a full-fledged participant!
I’ve been reading this list for months and even posted something for sale once, but I’ve yet to ask any questions or respond to other posts.
I’ve only recently begun playing whistle and Irish flute, but I’m progressing quickly. Although I don’t currently own a sax or Boehm flute, I played both for about 15 years before other events in my life caused me to put music on hold.
Finally I have the time and desire to play music again and I’ve been swept away by ITM. It’s been unbelievably rewarding playing and learning again. So, I’m very happy to have found this forum for whistle chat.
Now on to the question:
I’m particularly interested in responses from session players. I know that it’s common to switch to a C whistle to play tunes with F-natural, do whistlers ever use E whistles for those tunes with G-sharps or do most people rely on cross fingerings and half-holing? Would it scandelize the purists to play those tunes on an E whistle?
I would say switching to E whistle wouldn’t scandalize the purists much more than switching to C whistle would. It might raise more eyebrows, as E whistles are drastically less common, but there’s no particular reason to be offended by it. Though I’m sure there are a couple of people out there who might criticize – there’s just no pleasing some people, I fear.
That said, I hardly ever play my E whistle these days. Normally I either half-hole G sharp, or switch to A whistle. The latter particular for E jigs like “Calliope House” or “Andy de Jarlis”.
I use my e-whistle for Calliope House and Pet in the Kitchen. What goes in the session really depends on whether people are up for playing those tunes in E and A respectively.
About what people find objectionable or not, I am sure it matters how you play, not what whistle you play (as long as it’s not too loud and too out-of-tune).