I think it’s about time we have recognized some of the low whistle masters, just for the sake of their playing abilities and not their celebrity alone. I believe we’ve touched on this before, but maybe it’s time to expand the list and make others aware of some great low whistlers.
Please post your favorites, and any clips or albums that you think are deserving of special merit. Let’s not just limit it to Irish Trad, but maybe Trad based or thereabouts, so it encompasses a broader spectrum of the music.
It might be nice to know why you feel this way too.
I’ll offer one up for consideration, a much deliberated Chiff member and low whistle player, on this forum, but an artist of the low whistle that can certainly be recokened with, from his low whistle artistry on his CD “Tears of The Forest” by Talbert St. Claire. I’m not a particular favorite of his viewpoints on the fourm, but I have a lot of respect for his playing ability and expert delivery on the low whistles.
So, who would you nominate for great low whistle playing, and why?
Barry, I don’t see a distinction between “whistle player” and “low whistle player”. Low whistles are just lower pitched. I don’t know many players that would declare themselves as only a low whistle player.
Although, I have never seen him play a whistle lower than a low Eb. I notice he doesn’t use piper’s grip, either. Actually, I’ve never seen him play anything lower than an F, except in one video where he’s playing a low Eb.
Barry, I don’t see a distinction between “whistle player” and “low whistle player”. Low whistles are just lower pitched. I don’t know many players that would declare themselves as only a low whistle player.
The distinction is that many whistlers don’t play low whistle. I don’t think the question is asking for people who only play low whistle. Several whistlers don’t play low whistle much, and many people opt for flute when that is the octave they are seeking. I got the impression that the question is asking about people who use a lot of low whistle and play it well, rather than asking people who play only the low ones, and not any higher ones.
No, of course, it’s just my ears talking-I rarely listen to any music on purpose with high whistles. I’ll play them once in a blue moon, for convenience, but I’d rather be playing a low whistle to please my ears. That’s why I consider myself a low whistle player.
But, I’m just a hobby player-no gigs, no sessions, always solo (unless I am playing along with a recording), and if I have a choice, low whistle or flute-thus the focus of my post. Thanks for playing along though!
Cormac Breatnach gets my vote especially with consideration of his ability with a “broader spectrum” of music other than ITM. An example of this would be a very cool jazz improv performance of his as shown on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMKNkW_-j1k
Beyond that I agree that some great musicians have been named in this thread. Barry, FWIW my interest in whistles also lay exclusively with low whistles…they please my ears.
Just my novice thought on an interesting topic from a long time lurker and a first time poster! I guess I should do an introduction soon seeing how I have been registered since 2009. tim
Brendan Ring. The very under-rated player whose one CD, Troublesome Things is one of my favourites with some awesome low whistle playing. Try playing Maverick Angels or Kushka at the speed he does, and musically too.
Eoin Duignan
But Davy Spillane still stands head and shoulders above the rest for me because of the emotion he manages to wring out of his modified Overton like nobody else does or can.
P.S. Some good ones already mentioned. Tal can certainly play and he’s a great and generous guy once you get to know him a little.
Mike,
Terry is a Liverpool based flute and whistle player. A prominent figure / player of ITM in England with a long family history of musicianship specific to Irish Traditional Music. He has toured with Niamh Parsons as a whistle player.
You might also find him listed as Terry Clarke-Coyne.
Yes, exactly-many who play high whistles do not play the low whistles (below A or G most likely). Some have tried them, and found they didn’t like them or couldn’t play them to their liking. I’m kind of the opposite with the high whistles-I’d just rather not if I have a choice. I consider myself only a Low Whistler, or Fluter.
Thanks for the replies so far-I’ve already seen some new names or were reminded to seek out some I’ve heard of again, and had forgotten before.
Two others that deserve mention, certainly-Phil Hardy, and his pal Tony Hinnigan (aka Chief Wanguani). I only have heard Tony on Phil’s site, but he has his own website too I believe. Yep, found it here: http://www.tonyhinnigan.com/index.php
Phil of course, can be heard on his website http://www.Kerrywhistles.com, and has some CD’s out as well. Just was listening to Phil’s Whistleworks CD, and he does play well, no doubt. I would love to hear some slower stuff from him though (like his recent Jewish Lament he posted in a recent clip). There is a separate listing for each artist on his website, including Phil’s clips here. Give a listen to the Jewish Lament under the Phil Hardy heading on the left, and just see if it doesn’t inspire the low whistler in you!: http://www.kerrywhistles.com/movie.php?groupID=47#
That really is the kind of music I prefer, and would most enjoy from any Low Whistle album, for my ears. I just wasn’t born with so much kinetic energy I guess!
Yes, he can surely play-though it’s on a Low A here, and those high notes are pretty penetrating. Would like to hear him play something on the Low D. Couldn’t find anything on Youtube of him playing a lower whistle, but I did find a version of Lonesome Boatman that I liked better-and no tuning clash between his A whistle and the high D? (towards the end when he goes over to her) in the video above.
This one has a nice story and pictures to go along with it, especially for those who like a maritime theme:
Thanks for playing along though!
Thanks for the input!
