Can some knowlegable person(s) tell me what system is used to tune whistles generally. Do makers use different systems. Thanks
Most instruments (now) are tuned to equal temperament. You do occassionally find ones tuned just, but to get a new one you’ll probably have to special order.
Thing is, that after a few years, and assuming you listen to what you play, whistles puff up and down around the pitch. So, as long as the instrument can do it, you’ll be playing in pitch to your intent. The whole tuning discussion resolves to that in the end (with a few stops in between).
Playing with drones and other players helps a lot.
The difference between equal temperament and, lets say, a natural major scale is very slight. Almost within the error margin when you are playing a melody on a flute, violin or any other melody instrument. However on a chord instrument like the harpsichord the difference is quite noticeble. Modern pianos are most often tuned in the equal temperament (you can play in all 12 keyes but they will all sound slightly out of tune), but harpsichords are often tunen in according to the mean tone system (where the thirds are natural or “cleaner”). The mean tone system was a predecessor to the equal temperament, and was favoured among most musicians untill the 1800th century. However if you play on such an instrument you are restricted to play in a few keys (two or three #:s or b:s). Some fifths will hwever sound horrible out of tune in some keyes (wolfe fifths).
The bottom line is that you hardly will hear any difference between a tin whistle tuned in equal temperament or the pytagorean system. Most experienced wind musicians also tend to blow the notes in tune, very much like the adjustments string player do.
This is very true.
You are so right.
I was wondering about this, but hesitant to bring up this sometimes contentious subject. Thanks for covering it.
Should I ask about vibrato?
General consensus: Finger vibrato - fine. Breath/Diaphragm vibrato - not fine.
Unless you’re Joanie Madden. Or you prefer the sound of breath/diaphragm. Or both.
All of the general rules are for those that are not good enough to break them.
I was told that Joanie uses finger vibrato nearly exclusively. Or perhaps my memory is off.
Not that there’s anything wrong with breath vibrato. I have played saxophone for seven years now, and breath vibrato is part of who I am. I use it sparingly on whistle/flute, though.
Well… yeah. You obey the rules until you know how to break them. That’s how I play it, anyway.
No, you’re right. She uses fingered vibrato for everything but D.
…for whistles
bit dodgy on a Boehm flute 
Thanks for the link Craig - I stand corrected.
Joanie’s mastery is second to none and she is my hero. But I could have sworn I heard diaphragm vibrato on some of her airs… I will have to go listen again (twist my arm).