low whistle and irish flute

[PhilO]

@Bloomfield

In the context of the music that I like the low whistle is little more than a novelty item. Doesn’t mean I don’t like the low whistle (love it) and doesn’t mean I don’t play it (Overtons, yeah!). I’ll play low whistles during gigs but generally not in sessions (exceptions apply).

Now, Flute. That’s a serious instrument.

“Lucy, you have some 'splaining to do…”

Philo

[riverman]

Comparing low whistles and flutes is like comparing apples and oranges. Both have a different tone, a different personality. I love flutes, but I like listening to low whistle even more because of the immediacy or directness of the tone (that’s the best I can do-- “brightness” doesn’t seem quite right). Flutes seem a bit more muffled in sound, or “darker” as one music major told me. Both are beautiful to the max, but I prefer low whistles. When I heard the one on Riverdance it squeezed my heart!

[Wormdiet]

I do have to say that one of my favorite “near trad” songs is Old Blind Dogs’ “Forfar Sodger.” Great low whistling on that one.

I find low whistles physically unfomfortable to play.

[shadeclan]

@Henke

@shadeclan

Henke, I am going to disagree with you.

I have a recording of the tune “Molly McGuire” in which a flute and a whistle take a solo and then play together. I find the whistle much more emotionally touching than the flute during the performance.

I think whistlers, being more “earthy”, bring nuances to playing that the more “sophisticated” flute player has lost somehow.

Also, see the “Whistle Philosophy” section of Bro Steve’s Tin Whistle site for another take on this.

I’m not really sure what you disagree with.

I never said that “the flute player who plays that tune Molly McGuire together with that whistle player expresses himself so much better emotionally than the whistle player and really brings out everything the flute is about.”
In fact I’ve never even heard the tune

My point is that the flute is much more versatile, has a greater tonal range and can respond easier to different approaches and such by the player and therefor seems like a more expressive instrument. The fact that one particular whistle player can play his whistle with more emotion to your ear than another particular flute player can play his flute doesn’t really say all that much to me.

I’m going to go ahead and disagree with you on the “whistlers being more earthy and nuanced than the sophisticated flute players”- remark on the other hand.

Generally, what I’m saying is that my ear disagrees with your ear.

[Jon-M]

While I suppose I understand the slightly disdainful attitudes that have been expressed here toward the low whistle, it seems worth remembering that it’s the person who makes the music, not the instrument. Perhaps a great flautist trumps a great whistler, but a great whistler trumps a mediocre flute player. And attitudes (to the chagrin of many) change; the soprano whistle holds a higher place in traditional music than it once did; who’s to say that the low whistle–a newcomer–won’t find its Mary Bergin to raise it in the esteem even of the traditionalists?

[Nanohedron]

@A-Musing

I don’t know if this is a “rise,” but I’m learning something new about Low Whistles and Flutes…and the various attitudes towards them.
I had no idea that Low Whistles were considered, by some, to be a sort of “retarded step-child” of the Irish flute. And, that those who play them are failed flute players. And, that these Low whistles should play some “other” kind of music!
I mean no disrespect to anyone…and especially those who are truly steeped in ITM. I just haven’t been around the evolution of these things, and am not a member of any “in crowd.” I’m being informed of these things, even as we speak.
I love my little collection of Low Whistles. To me, they make beautiful music…and give me great pleasure! I’m also a bit earthy and sophisticated, and enjoy flute music as well as the whistle. (I’ve played flute in the past. Gave it up for mainly physical reasons. Can’t hold the flute-position very well. Sigh.)
If I ever get up the nerve to join a session, should I skulk around to the back of the bus…with my “illigitimate” Low Whistle?

Naw. Had Paddy Keenan sit in at a session, here, and instead of his pipes, he played low whistle (AND banjo! gasp). If it’s good enough for him, what the hey…

Only thing is you might not be able to hear yourself well if it’s a big session.

[Wormdiet]

@Jon-M

While I suppose I understand the slightly disdainful attitudes that have been expressed here toward the low whistle, it seems worth remembering that it’s the person who makes the music, not the instrument. Perhaps a great flautist trumps a great whistler, but a great whistler trumps a mediocre flute player. And attitudes (to the chagrin of many) change; the soprano whistle holds a higher place in traditional music than it once did; who’s to say that the low whistle–a newcomer–won’t find its Mary Bergin to raise it in the esteem even of the traditionalists?

I don’t think anybody is arguing that you can’t make great music with a whistle. Even a low one. Nor is anyone arguing that whistlers are failed fluters, nor that fluters are intrinsically better musicians, nor that “whistle” music is an inferior art form.

On the other hand, flutes are capable of making a wider range of musical sounds. I’m talking physically here - not emotionally. One can change the harmonic content of the tone a lot more, and as has been said, the volume. This makes it a more versatile instrument in a basic , physical sense. But more versatile isn;t necessarily the same as “better.” “Better” is a nebulous term best left to the individual ears because it’s indvidually subjective.