Is it more important to learn breath control first or to learn the notes first?
I know ya’ll are going to say both, but if you had to choose one, which one? I am going to assume breath control because a) it seems that would take longer to perfect and b) doesn’t matter how well you can finger a song if the breath control stinks!
I’m asking because I have a tendency to want to just jump in and start playing songs and then I end up sounding bad and then I get discouraged. I’m not much for practice but I want to change that. I will admit that I get impatient with myself quickly and expect myself to learn faster than I probably should.
Well, maybe I should have said good breath control. What I am playing right now sounds too harsh. I know I need to back off of the air a bit. It’s a really good whistle, so I know it’s me.
Well, you hear it doesn’t sound right so you change. As I said, things develop alongside eachother.
It’s perfectly normal for a beginner to sound, well, like a beginner. I mean every beginner lacks the ability to make the notes sound on pitch and well rounded. It’s a skill that develops over time, while playing, adjusting as you go along, getting a feel for, and the ability to control, the finer points of playing the instrument.
Jan, I fully concur with both of Mr. Gumby’s comments and consider it advice well followed! Additionally, consider recording yourself and listening to playbacks making particular note of that which you like the sound of, and that which you do not. Using this technique, you will hear things much more analytically than you will ever do so while playing. Make mental and or written notes on the things you wish to change or acheive and try to employ adjustments in doing so.
Another highly important skill and technique to develop in becoming a better player is to listen to accomplished whistle players every chance you get, again, making note of that which you like and that which you aspire to acheive. Break tunes down into more simplified and less lengthy segments or “phrases”. Take particular note of timing, variation in the use of the full range of octaves, where breaths are taken by the player, use of various ornamentation techniques throughout a tune, etc.
Start by keeping things simple, play often and during short but productive sessions throughout the day when you don’t feel rushed and can devote some time and focus. Play tunes you like and view each practice session as an opportunity / reward rather than as a chore. Note that there are few really rewarding things in life that come without dedication and effort, that also includes becoming a good whistle player. Have fun and enjoy the journey.
The OP’s point is well taken, at least from the perspective of orchestral instruments: the beginner starts a brass instrument by blowing “long tones” and developing their embouchure and breath control before they begin playing tunes.
Likewise on the Highland Bagpipe it’s deadly if a beginner starts hacking away at tunes before learning how to sustain a steady tone on the instrument. Everything flows from having a good tone.
So, one might well take that approach to whistle. I certainly wouldn’t argue against it.
Start, say, by playing a long G xxx ooo in the low octave, practicing blowing until it can be held quite steady, then slowly alternating G in octaves G g G g G g etc. Then work downwards and upwards from G: F# f# F# f# F# f#, A a A a A a, E e E e E e, , B b B b B b, D d D d D d, and C# c# C# c# C# c#. (It’s what they do on orchestral instruments, start from the “core” and work upwards and downwards.) And you should do C natural in both octaves, which for me involves different fingerings oxx oox for low and oxo xxx for high.
By the way, do these octaves without tonguing, on a single unbroken airstream, to get accustomed to creating octaves by breath control alone. Then later you can tongue them, but it’s best not to rely on tonguing from the get-go as it can become a crutch or substitute for good breath control.
Even after 30 years of playing Irish flute I would start a practice session by blowing Long Tones, starting by holding a long Bottom D starting as quietly as possible, increasing to as loud as possible, and then going back to as soft as possible, all on one unbroken breath. Doing this for a few minutes greatly increased my tone. Of course the whistle doesn’t have an embouchure like the flute but still requires breath control.
I hear what you are saying and I agree - to a point. I will admit that in the past with a couple of other instruments, I heard it didn’t sound right and I either kept doing the same thing for a while (duh!) and then quit.
So I need to not worry about sounding like a beginner and I need to adjust my playing when it sounds bad and not give up so easily.
More good advice. I read on this forum a while back to listen to really good music so I ordered “Song of the Irish Whistle 1” by Joanie Madden. Never heard her before but the reviews were very good.
Yes, thanks for reminding me about those long tones. I did that with the classical flute when I was trying to learn to play (until I had to stop because of wrist trouble).
