hi all, it have been a long time that I didn’t post on this forum, how are you guys doing with celtic music ? 
I usually get into a simple trouble, if I have irish flute, why still pick irish whistle ?
as irish flute have a wild range on notation, most of the note that irish whistle couldn’t reach, irish flute could cover all of them, so what’s your comment on it ? Thanks.
lkthomas: The Resurrection
(oh, don’t mind me, I’m in a strange mood right now)
M
They are different instruments with a different sound and different characteristics. Yes, a flute is more versatile and expressive, but a whistle is easier to play, has a faster responce and a sound which might suit different occations better. It’s like comparing a mandolin to a banjo.
They are both expressive in different ways. Ikthomas why put the VS between them?
After reading the title of the post, I had a quick answer formulated. However, Henke and Tommy said it well…There is no ‘vs’ involved. My band uses both multiple whistles and wooden flutes. They are not in competition. Their sound is complimentary and both are needed for a full palette of timbres. The interplay of the instruments is what makes things interesting…
Best.
Byll
Is it a PDQ Bach piece, like his Concerto for Piano vs. Orchestra?
I often say that I don’t play whistle at all since I got bitten by the flute bug, but I actually play almost every day. I play whistle in the car. So one reason to play whistle is its portability. Another is that it’s inexpensive, so you can get a very nice set of whistles in virtually every key for the cost of one flute. I also do virtually all of my transcribing on the whistle; I find the flute kind of cumbersome for that.
At my sessions, the flute and whistle players go out to the parking lot and have it out to see who plays. Last man standing and able to play gets to go back in. No rules except don’t break each other’s fingers. I wound up getting to play one night but passed out half way through because of a concussion and loss of blood.
Other instruments don’t do it this way?
I have always heard that whistle players can take flute players in fist-fights because they instinctively hold their hands in front of them and not to the side.
Not sure if there is any truth to it, but why take I chance, I always say.
I agree with the above. I am also a guitarist (among other things).
The differences between whistles and flutes are much like the differences between classical (nylon strings) and acoustic (steel strings) guitars.
You can play all the same notes on either but the sound, reponse, etc…
is very distinct. I would never exclude one instrurment just because it can play the same notes as another. I also play fiddle and mandolin. Again, same notes very different sound.
My Hayden duet concertina is fully chromatic and can play any note and chords so why would I need my mandolin or a guitar?
Doc
Post subject: irish flute VS irish whistle ?
Wouldn’t that be “the Fighting Irish”?
flute player kick…why risk you hands?
Hello.
Just thought I’d join in on the fight. Having made both types I agree with almost everyone in this forum; they are different instruments. Whistles have an easier time getting into the second octave, but they definitely lack the capability for expression.
On the other hand, Joanie Madden can put expression into her whistles like no one else, so I suppose it depends upon the player.
I had noticed when I made my 4Winds Low-D Flutes (crosswind six-hole types), that I had to incorporate bleeder holes in the foot section of the simple flute design to stabilize the transitions from low to high. I still apply that rule even when making higher octave flutes.
Whistles don’t seem to have that problem, so that’s why when folk ask me to provide them the same barrel to fit with either a whistle head or with a embouchure head, I just don’t do it. They’re different instruments. I love the sound of both types, so that’s why I keep makin’ them.
Best regards,
Keltic Dead
The concertina player fights the accourdian player. The fiddlers fight amoungst themselves. Guitar player flights the banjo player, and the Piper fights an Octopuss we got from the pet shop next door. Last week the octopuss won and wound up sitting in with us for a few sets.
If he’s anything like the one who beat up our piper (got him in a quadruple-full nelson), he’s got a great garden. Must have a green tentacle. I’d like to be down there, in the shade.
Only coz you is a school teacher am I correctin you.
I reckon you meant “complementary”.
I don’t know if I can say this as a flute builder, but whistles are about a million times cooler. Sure a flute may have more expressive possibilities, but a whistle just sounds more fun. It’s clearly the most dancin’ of all the folk winds, and it’s got that pure, simple tone that just can’t be beat.
That said, buy a flute from me
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flute player kick…why risk you hands?[/quote]
ah, but where do they kick?
flute player kick…why risk you hands?[/quote]
ah, but where do they kick?[/quote]
its rather complicated…
There is an equation based on the two relative heights and availability of parts. 
Hi guys…thought I’d jump in as well on this topic!
Sure, I play the flute - a lot as a matter of fact - but give me a whistle any day of the week!!! I play the flute in the band a lot for power, but the little guy packs a major punch as well!
To me, there is no better instrument that evokes as much emotion than that little pipe with the six holes in it!
That’s all I got to say!
Good luck!
Joanie Madden
Hi Joanie. I love when you come to the Cleveland Irish festival (or whatever it’s officially called).
In response to the original question, there are a lot of instruments in an orchestra whose ranges are similar. Does anyone ever ask why they all exist? They all have different voices, and different voices are what make the music more interesting.