Michael Hedes' Oracle in F# ?!?!?!

Whistle
1

Hello! Got a question. On Michael Hedges’ song Oracle (you can get stream a clip here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000000NLT/ref=m_art_li_5/102-5188512-7581766?v=glance&s=music ), he plays two tin whistle parts, one in C, the other in F#. Is there any way to do the latter other than a custom flute?
THANKS!!!
Tilak

2

You could pull it off on a D whistle if if it’s F# minor, but if it’s major, you’ll need something else.

A C# whistle (which a few people make) would do the trick…just play the tune like it’s a G tune on a D whistle.

I think that’s correct…feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

-Brett

3

plays two tin whistle parts, one in C, the other in F#. Is there any way to do the latter other than a custom flute?

I can’t see getting both keys from one whistle:
http://homepages.maths.warwick.ac.uk/~bjs/key-change.jpg

Brian

4

Hedges changes key throughout the song. It starts in C, then goes to F, then F#. The tin whistle parts are just during the C and F#. Sorry I wasn’t clear. And thanks for the replies.
Peace,
Tilak

5

I don’t have the CD, so I haven’t read the credits, but are you certain the “whistle” being played isn’t sampled and being played back using a keyboard with pitch shifting? There is definately synth going on on that track, I just can’t tell if any of it is really “live”. And we obviously can’t ask Michael, RIP :cry:

Loren

6

Loren,
Interesting! I didn’t think of that. The cd credits don’t mention the whistle at all, just acoustic guitar, synth, and alto flute. But the voicing on those parts is so . . . [ahhh]; well, i just can’t imagine a synth pulling of that richness. Today I emailed a good friend of his who’s looking into it for me. She said initally:

Though I don’t recall specifically which instrument he used, I don’t think he had any exotic whistles. I know he had whistles in B flat, C, D, E and F. It’s also possible there was a fife involved.

Since he loved playing the “real” flute the way he did, I’d bet that’s somehow what he did.
Missed indeed. Glad to see that someone else here knows and appreciates his work.
Peace,
Tilak

7

It’s in A, not F#. So he could have played it with his D or E. :blush:

8

Interesting. That explains what I think I hear, which is a “real” flute or whistle being played live, as well as an additional synth or sampled wind instrument being played, and altered, probably with a pitch shift wheel on a sampling keyboard. My best guess on that, anyway, based on what I think I’m hearing.

Loren

9

Tilak,

Yes, what a loss: A huge and unique talent, and by all accounts a wonderful human being as well.

Sometimes it truly does seem that “Only the good die young”

Best,

Loren

10

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Nice one Amazon :laughing:

11

Now that’s funny!

Loren