Greetings to all! I am new to the board and expect to receive my first whistles this week from the WhistleShop. (Nice folks!)After some research on wind instruments, I stumbled upon Chiff & Fipple and decided to learn to play the whistle. (Dale is a true inspiration & I couldn’t resist!) I ordered a Sweetone D, a Walton LBD and a Generation C. I am waiting on the edge of my chair for them to arrive!!
My main instrument is guitar. I also play keyboards and a little clarinet. I read music, teach guitar & songwriting and I have written over 300 original songs and arrangements. I have been a musician for over 37 years. (Darn, am I that old?!) Anyway, I recently acquired a interest in contemporary Celtic music like Iona and Connie Dover and plan on using whistle to expand my horizons. I play on one of several worship teams at my church.
Hello, Gary, from a fellow Iona fan! Do you like Kansas, too? (“Somewhere to Elsewhere” is a great disc.) What other prog-rock music do you like?
IMHO, the guitar solo at the end of “Inside My Heart” on the “Heaven’s Bright Sun” live set is the most incredible in all of music! I simply CAN’T listen to it without doing air-guitar!
“Irish Day” by Iona is what hooked me. Those U2 type distorted chords, sans 3rds, rock. Great blend of whistle use in intro/song setup, too. It inspired me to start the whistle and I hope to incorporate it into our music ASAP.
When Kansas first came out, I listened to them a lot. Kerry Livgren (SP?) is cool. I don’t get much opportunity to listen to much music today as I’m a composer working on a CD and a Semi-Pro live musician. I play live every other weekend and our leader chooses a lot of Hillsongs and Tommy Walker stuff.
Tuning into http://www.celticchristiantunes.com I’ve been experiencing the latest in contemporary Celtic music. You can listen for free, right off the web. It has greatly influencing my playing. I’m working on some original arrangements of hymns to use whistle in a contemporary Celtic style.
Is this the first recorded instance of instant WhOA? Starting straight off with three whistles? Worrying.
I was going to suggest that you’re a born whistler, Gary, but maybe you have been cloned or were already a whistler in a previous existence. If puzzled, check out WhOA disorder on the main C&F site
I, too, play on one of our church’s worship teams. FYI, we have started doing a lot of Robin Mark songs (try his CD “Revival in Belfast”) They are into contemporary Irish music with some beautiful whistle work by Michelle Wooderson.
That’s great that you have such a passion for music and have been able to make it in a career. Good for you.
There are some very experienced whistlers here and some who have had experienced in recording and mixing as well. Like guitars, people will express their preferences on whistles as well. Dale has done a great job on putting together this site and his whistle reviews are very worthwhile reading.
Roger, Have I set a record for WhOA? Isn’t it NORMAL to start stressing 5 days before my first whistle arrives? I knew I should have put on an aluminimum hat before browsing C&F! It might have protected me from the satellite gamma rays…
Deb; I’ll definately check out Robin Mark. How many/what instruments are on your team? We have drums, acous guitar, elec guitar (me) percussion, sax & flutes and a brass section, acous piano & keyboards. Your 2 Samuel quote about David is what we’re studing in our W.T. this week. How did you know? We’re reading Matt Redman’s book, “Unquenchable Worshipper.”
Glengary; It’s not a career, it’s my passion. I do have a day job to support my habit of “eating & living indoors.” But I have sold a tune & some of my MIDI’s are backrounds on some web sites. I have free access to 2 (count 'em) pro studios near home. The whistle is such a beautiful instrument. I just had to learn to play it.
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Hi Gary…right now we have 2 electric guitars, one acoustic, an electric bass, and drums on our team (and vocalists) We normally have a percussionist as well but he is deployed to the Middle East at the moment. We do have a keyboard at the church but noone on our team at the moment. Oh, and I forgot me…I play flute and whistles. If you are interested in some songs to consider for the whistle search for my thread called “Whistle friendly worship songs” there was a fabulous response!
I want to get a copy of Matt Redman’s book…hmmm, good birthday present…maybe I should drop some hints!
Hi Gary!
Welcome aboard the good ship WhOA. And also to wowww ( world of worshiping with whistles)
We just spent a week in soCA. My daughter lives in Laguna Niguel. The music director at her fellowship recently acquired three whistles .
(Check your private messages)
I do have a day job to support my habit of “eating & living indoors.” But I have sold a tune & some of my MIDI’s are backrounds on some web sites. I have free access to 2 (count 'em) pro studios near home. The whistle is such a beautiful instrument. I just had to learn to play it.