Hey folks,
Spent some time getting familiar with my new MK Pro low D today. Worked on piper’s grip, fingering techniques, breath control including it’s application in phrasing, volume control, vibrato, and ornamentation. As well, I am getting familiar with the breathing nuances of shifting octaves.
I was able to play a few slow airs today. It is incredible how much better my time spent with this whistle today went compared to my first feable attempts with her, ( my problem, not the whistle ). I am very impressed with the tonal quality / timbre. Looking forward to our next date. I will continue working on my piper’s grip. Thanks for all the notes of encouragement.
glad to hear you are making some progress already!
that’s what i’ve always liked about having a local private teacher. when i am tempted to think the instrument has a fundamental flaw, the teacher can make it sound great and encourage me to keep putting in the time.
another mental temptation is to want to find the thing you are doing wrong. we’ll often spend hours reading posts, getting answers on how to do a certain technique, ornament, etc. etc; and it’s often just 5 hours of practice time away.
you may want to consider recording your self once a month for one song (just for yourself) to hear your progress as well. it can be encouraging when you don’t see the incremental progress yourself.
Dspmusik,
I do not have a local teacher. I am petty much self taught on high whistle. The exception to self instruction would be books and internet articles read, and instructional vieos watched. I listen to lots of Irish music and love it.
I do not currently have access to recording equipment, though I certainly see the value in listening to play backs.
I do not read music so I listen to tunes I want to play and learn them in a phrase by phrase method by ear and playing. I pay particular attention to ornamentation and I don’t try to replicate things exactly, rather, I stay with the melody and ornament as I feel the need to with the trad sound in mind.
I believe the quality of the MK and the sound it is capable of producing will prompt me to practice / play daily. I really love the sound of low whistle.
Not sure where you are, Cayden. But if your daughters both grew up in competitive Irish dancing, then I’m guessing there are probably dance academies or instructors in your area. And where there’s dance, there may be music … and musicians. Who would be more than happy to help you along. If not (only) with instruction, then with support, encouragement, tips, and connection with the trad music community.
Sometimes 5 minutes with another real live player can be worth more than 5 years online. Including reassurance that your interest is not nuts. Or at least that other people are as nuts as you are.
MTGuru,
I concur that the Feisiana held by the Irish Dance community are certainly good venues to meet with talented Irish musicians. Both of my daughters no longer compete, one having moved on to college, the other now involved in high level competitve soccer.
I live in Connecticut, between the main concentrations of Irish in New York and Boston. I have a friend I hunt with and his brother has been playing for years. I am sure I could seek him out as a resource. There are some great Irish musicians who make Connecticut their home. John Whalen and the late P.V. O’Donnell come to mind. I am sure their are sessions within a reasonable distance from my home. I have just not taken my playing to that level yet. I really play primarily with my own enjoyment in mind.
I will continue working on my piper’s grip. Thanks for all the notes of encouragement.