Ok, not meant to be lewd as that might have read. A couple of seeming incongruities dispensed today. First, I worked out on my Bowflex Xtreme2 (great home gym) today while listening to Joanie’s Songs of the Irish Whistle. When you go to a health club or when you see Rocky Balboa training it’s generally to some driving pulsating beat, but working out with this CD was glorious. Second, who says trad whistle music (ok, some will say it’s not trad, but who really cares) has to be well, not hot. Joanie puts some wonderful tunes to a really great rhythm backup. I guess it doesn’t hurt that she’s a great player and I play several of the tunes on this CD (South Wind, Down By the Sally Gardens, Legacy Jig…).
This reinforces the suggestion that this is a really good CD for whistle players who don’t want to necessarily listen to a straight hour of trad whistle solo. One of many shades…
It is one of the CDs on my MP3 player when I go to the Gym. I also haveSong of the Irish Whistle 2 on there. I love some of the tunes on these CDs. One of them is John of the Glen. I don’t care what you call it. I just call it great music.
Seriously though, there’s nothing quite like playing along with Joanie and that rhythm section on Legacy Jig and actually keeping up. That makes me soooo happy.
I can’t sit still when the drums kick in on that one. Driving rythym… great for aerobic driving, LOL, as well as bicycling… kind of tough with the yoga and tai chi though.
The past 6 mths I have gotten up from 4:00 - 6:00 am in the morning to workout. My workout is at home. I have always wanted to try that Bowflex Extreme2. It’s a great machine and well worth the funds.
I have the Total Gym that I have used the past 2 years. Ok here is my exercise program. I start the stationary bike for 50 minutes. Then, I use the Total Gym for a half hour straight. After that, I skip rope for 10 minutes(I studied Martial Arts for 20 years. Filipino Kali/Esrima. No longer study this, however). So, skiping rope comes easy because of the Martial Arts training. Lastly, I use the “Golds Gym” to finish off my work. Man I feel great in the morning! I am OFF on the weekends. 5 days a week is enough .
Getting to the right kind of music while working out is essential. I listen to Kila!!! It’'s very addictive stuff! So, I know how you feel regarding the right kind of music because it really helps with your continued progress.
I am down to 165 pounds. I guess this is’nt so bad to be in my early 40’s.
Thats great Talbert. Keep it up. Maybe you can escape the bypass surgery. I spend a half hour on a treadmill and 20 minutes on the stairmaster. Then I lift weights using the heartline machines. After my heart attack I could only lift 3 pounds. Now I bench press 300 pounds pretty good for 67. It’s good to see you here. I hope you are whistling a merry tune.
Of course, strictly speaking, there’s no rope skipping in the Filipino Martial Arts
Actually, the thought is kinda funny: I’m trying to imagine Floro Villabrille jumping rope, or Angel Cabales, or even little Johnny Lacosta. Heh heh, the thought make me chuckle.
I mentioned this because it was around the time that I learned how to skip rope.
By the way, Angle Cabales was a real stick fighter. Highly regarded as one of the best in Escrima (Stick and Dagger).
I also studied with Dan Inosanto (Kali/JKD), Larry Hartsell, Paul Vunak, and Richard Lamoureaux. I did this for many years. Mostly with Rich in the Chicagoland area. Trapping from the Wing Chun style was my specialty. JKD incorporated this nicely. Although Inosanto did say that JKD was always evolving. JKD was specific to each individual which was why it was so very unique.
Yes, I know who Angel Cabales was. I also studied with Guro Dan, and Tim Tackett, and Kris Kent, and so on, starting back in the late 70’s. So, I’m very familiar with FMA, JKD, Jun Fan, etc., etc.
The only way to keep this thread out of the Pub now is via some obscure whistle reference…hmmm..How bout the best whistles for use in Escrima?
Seriously though, here’s to you Ron; keep it up.
I’m pushing 58 now and don’t practice any martial arts anymore (13 yrs Tae Kwon Do, long layoff, then several yrs. jui jitsu and several years aikido). My current routine is six days a week, alternating a 1-hour Bowflex routine with Concept2 indoor rowing (30-60 mins)/stretching/yoga routines. Whenever possible we also try to walk to and from dinner when we eat out.
I’ve always worked out to some kind of music at home and lately have been listening to whistle music. As a matter of fact, Loren, you turned me on to Flook, and I hadn’t really listened to them until last week - a real treat!
I must admit that I am very impressed with your knowlege regarding these highly sought after individuals. My former teacher Rich studied with the late Ted Tucay.
Take care and thanks for the input.
Ron,
You are an aweful lot stronger than me for sure . Keep up the good work. Thanks. Yes, I have been whistling a merry tune. On the other hand, I only play for self these days. It’s so much fun!!! Taking a long break from music.
My father used to bring Guro Ted to our school in Conshohocken Pennsylvania for seminars and private lessons, this was starting in around '79-'80. Very very sad losing Guro Ted at such a young age - a huge loss for the FMA communitiy, and of course even more so for his family. Doubly shocking when we lost Edgar Sulite shortly after - Edgar at the age of 40 and Ted at 50. Oddly enough, my own father died just two years later, at the age of 54, also due to complications from a stroke, similar to Edgar.
On a lighter note, and to get back on topic: Use of the whistle is not a standard part of Filipino Martial Arts training, however, it does fall within the bounds of “environmental training” and “improvised weapons” whistles certainly may be used to deliver angle 5,6, and 7 (depending on your style’s numbering system) thrusting strikes, as needed for self defense. Metal Low whistles may also be used effectively for the slashing angles, and two piece tunable whistles are, of course, apropriate for Siniwalli, particularly Espada y Daga.
See Phil, it’s all comes back around to the topic of whistles eventually
I don’t listen to music working out, which is almost exclusively running these days. Alone with Mother Nature and my thoughts is fine for me.
I do listen to tunes cleaning, though. My absolute favorite motivating music is Deanta, although I prefer Dee’s fluting to her whistling. For some reason my wife’s favorite motivating music is Sweet Baby James. I like it, but it’s just not an album that makes me want to move.
Practicing “Topi Topi” using the Low Whistles while listening to the rhythms of Kila really sounds like a wonderful idea . I have a tunable Bass G at home that I’m sure would do nicely for this exercise:lol: .
Ok I better stop while I’m ahead, or I’ll find myself traveling to the IMB Academy for a refreshment course.
PhilO,
Have you ever heard of Afro Celt? If you want some additional music to train to give these guys a listen. One of my favorite bands of all time!
shhhhh
Dont tell anyone but the generation g makes for a great Kubotan, while the overton low d would be as lethal as any club in a steven seagal movie,
a bit of rope and 2 alba’s would make bruce lee smile.
that would give the bad guys something to whistle about!!
any port in a storm…
martial session whistles…now there is a concept…
any takers…???
David
I studied under the mean, sadistic Sister Christine in 8th grade, and the ill-tempered, borderline-insane Sister Benigna in 6th. They’ve left a lasting impression on me. They could send any of your martial-arts masters home crying in short time.
.
. Keep up the good work. Thanks. Yes, I have been whistling a merry tune. On the other hand, I only play for self these days. It’s so much fun!!! Taking a long break from music.
