I can’t remember the last time I actually had the chance to sit and write something.. I’m losing my touch. I can’t believe it’s almost been a year since I found my way here to the C&F forums… but I’ll save that for another topic.
A couple of months ago, someone encouraged me to play with the church music group, when they found out about my Irish whistle. I started with them in September, and have been rapidly getting more comfortable playing with them.
I’ve discovered that I’m better able to play if the song is written in D or G, since I play a D whistle. But I have a world of trouble on most songs that are written in the keys of A or E … because my half-holing still needs improvement.
When I told them I’d have to sit out from the whistle on most of the songs for this week because of the strange key, they asked if a whistle of a different key would help. I answered that maybe, probably yes… but I wasn’t prepared to buy another decent whistle of my own, with money being tight and all, and wasn’t feeling too keen on the idea of buying a cheapie whistle of questionable quality. (think I’ve heard it said in here some whistles you buy by the dozen to find one with a decent tone)
They said if I told them what I needed, they would pitch in and purchase another whistle for me so I could join them on more songs.
So here’s my question… What brand of whistle should I really look at, in what key, and how would I really know if it’s what I need? I would hate to tell them one thing, but then find out that I can’t play the whistle because of the way the holes are placed or something.
I know answers are going to vary, but if I have a little something to go on, it would help.
Alto A whistles which include soprano D (with a few extra lower notes) are pretty nice, and the hole spacing is fine for most people, including those with small hands. I think you can buy soprano E whistles from some makers, or you could ask a maker to do one up for you.
A low E would be an interesting oddity, but it’d be pretty close to a low D as far as reach goes, and depending on your hands, might have to use piper’s grip. (edit) Oh, and it will give you alto A as its secondary key!
Best bet is to go to the makers’ sites and listen to any sound clips they have. Whistles are a very individual instrument - what one person loves, another often hates, so decide for yourself and if you don’t like what you get, most makers will give you a complete refund.
I got a Dixon low A and low E, which play well and won’t destroy the church music. On the other hand I have Susato low A and soprano E, which can still be heard within a rock-band setting but might be a little, just a little, bit too loud for quieter setting (like a trad choir). When playing with the choir I use Dixon. I use both brands in my church and have received good reviews from the people.
One thing to note is that if you have an E whistle, then it enables you to play in the key of A, just as you can play songs in the key of G on a D whistle. And, as billw pointed out, if you have an A whistle, then it’s easier to switch between songs that are in D and A. I think the best bet would be to first get an E whistle which gives you the key of E and A, since you already have a D whistle.
And, the cost –
Susato soprano E $19.90
Susato low A $39.9
Dixon soprano E $30
Dixon low A $50
My first choice was Susato, but ever since I acquired Dixons I tend to stick with them. I’d describe the tone of Dixons as “round & smooth” as opposed to that of Susatos which are “sharp & edgy”.
Now, there are cheaper whistles made of cane from India. I’ve played a low A and which plays really, really well. The Undisputed King Dale has also played one of these nd he also thinks it’s great. I got one from Songsea (http://www.songsea.com) for about $10, and the whistle is still one of my main weapons. One thing to remember is that these cane low As ‘tend to be’ good, meaning there might be ones which are in the key of Ab or Bb although they are named A whistles.
I have a Water Weasel A and high E and they are great. They cost a little more that either the Susato or the Dixon, but they’re great whistles. The sound is full, warm, and not too pure (a little breathiness). Both whistles are very responsive, and have excellent intonation, including “Cnat” [0xx000].
There is also a Bb/A set for a good price. The Bb tube will allow you to play in the keys of Bb and Eb.
Hi MM, you could have a go at making low-ish whistles using a Generation Bb top on a brass or plastic body. I made an A and G this way and they’re really nice. Alternatively you could investigate cheap Whistles made on the Indian sub-continent and China, a popular Key for Pakistani “Bansri” is C, which actually plays a semitone lower B, which would give you E with a flattened 7th.
I play keyboard with our church worship group, and more recently finally started whistling, or playing the flute as they like to call it
Anyway, I have noticed that I don’t always need a whistle in the key they are playing, and fortunately, they are good enough that if they need to transpose the song (a little) to match up with a whistle I have, then great. I think your best option is to get a multi-body set, as some here have mentioned. This will allow you flexibility and help you find out which keys are most used. Then, if budget and necessity allow, you can upgrade to a “better” whistle in that key. However, as you get better, you will find that you can make cheaper whistles sound better.
The whistles we use most are D, C, A, and sometimes Bb. But that’s us.
I have a Hoover high E (CPVC tunable) that’s not too terrifying for such a high key, and a Hoover low (tenor) A (Whitecap aluminum–also tunable) that’s quite nice. They are quite reasonable in price, and you should be able to tell Mack whether you want them loud or quiet.
He also has a low E Whitecap aluminum and one in CPVC (non-tunable, looks like).
I have a Hoover Whitecap D/C set with brass narrow bore. They are very quiet, very responsive, and it took me awhile to appreciate them. I now have a special place in my house I keep them to play. Different areas sound better with different whistles
I’m with Christo – I have both A and E whistles from Glenn Schultz, and they’re both wonderful. The previous owner found the E a little harsh toward the upper end, but Glenn’s PVC whistles all pack a little bit of a whollop. I believe he has been known to make a B from the same pipe as the E. The A (and Bflat) is one of the best high whistles out there – it really plays like a low whistle. It growls, but still has the sweetness of a Water Weasel, though. I think the E is about $70; the A maybe $80, and the A-Bflat set half again that much?
I have B and low-E composites from Mike Burke. I’m not ecstatic over the B, but the low-E is just amazing. It has a sound that’s kind of woody, but somehow more delicate than the sound of a low-D. These cost roughly double the WW’s.
If you just want to dip your foot in the waters without making a large investment, Susato makes whistles in the many-sharp keys that cost somewhat less than the WW’s. If you want to milk your bandmates’ offer for all it’s worth and can afford to wait awhile, Colin Goldie and Bernard Overton will make you a whistle in any key you want.
I have to chime in with Chas and Christo on the Water Weasel. It’s the best whistle I have right now, a high D. What I like about it is you can PLAY it without having to be gentle on breath. In fact if I try to play quitely, I’ll get some squeeking. It wants to be heard, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Especially for what you want. What’s really cool about the way Glenn works is that he will send you a few to try out, you send back what you aren’t going to buy and send payment then. Awesome deal. You can buy from some online shops, but personally, after dealing direct with him, that’s how’d I’d recommend—I enjoy that personal interaction. Plus, part of what you are paying for is a life long commitment by him to fix anything that goes wrong with the whistle, assuming you don’t abuse the thing. You pay postage, and he does what he does well at no additional charge. You can’t beat that! I hope I don’t sound like an ad, but I’m pleased as punch with my whistle, and can’t hold it in
My instrument of choice for songs in E or A is a Hoover (whitecap?) low E. If your fingers can handle the reach, the lower pitch really adds a lot, and can be used in a “supportive” role with the other instruments and singers. “Supporting” is not so easy with a high whistle. With a high E whistle, if you go to play it in A, your octave starts pretty high. (I play whistle nearly exclusively in worship.) F and C whistles also come in handy at times.
I have a nice Chieftain gold alto F whistle I’m just waiting to find a good song to play on at church. Real nice tone, just like my Chieftain gold mezzo A, which I have played, and Jim is right . . . it does play a supporting role, and personally I think you have to be a bit more creative with a soprano whistle on some songs, in that you need to develop a melody that leads in, and dances around like a hummingbird. I’m not to that level just yet
I would love to get a really nice C and Bb with volume. My teak Syns are not quite loud enough. They sound real nice, but I need more volume since I have noticed our sound guy still keeps my volume too low, and I have some people tell me they can barely hear me, which is why I’d like a louder whistle.
