Hello all,
I’ve been looking around here for a few days, and as you seem a friendly bunch, I think a ‘de-lurk’ is in order!
I’ve had an interest in traditional/folk music for a few years, and have recently found myself enjoying listening to whistle and low-whistle players more and more.
Returning from a business trip to Dublin three weeks ago, I spotted a Walton’s ‘Guinness’ whistle in the airport duty-free shop and decided to take the plunge. Needless to say, I am now hooked
I’ve managed to get a few tunes sounding OK and I am now starting to work on cuts and rolls etc.
(Un)Fortunatly, there is a music store, Hobgoblin, not too far from where I work, and I have now added a Clarke’s Sweetone in D, Shaws in C and D, Generations in Bb and high F and a Susato low F! What does WhOA stand for again
I’ve also ordered the tutorial CD-ROM from madfortrad.com - as mentioned on this forum - and am looking forward to working through that.
One question: as I have now got a few different whistles, I tend to start working out a new tune on one of the D whistles and then try it straight away on all the others. Will this hinder my progress as opposed to sticking to one whistle whilst I am still improving and then moving on to the other whistles later?
I have that same dilemma. I have 2 Generation Ds, 5 Walton C/Ds, 1 Dixon tunable, 1 Feadog D, 1 Clarke D, 1 Clare D, a Low D Susato, and a Low G Susato.
While I enjoy each of their unique sounds, All the Soprano Ds have slightly different fingerings and breath requirements. I will play the same song, I mean tune, fine on one whistle and sound like I am strangling the cat on the next.
Needless to say, on the low whistles I rival the sound effects in “When Dinosaurs roamed the Earth”.
I think I could shorten my learning curve by concentrating with one whistle, but I aint in a hurry.
No sirree, not old Stew.
\
“If you are a light sleeper, it is next to impossible to sleep in the Minneapolis airport during the Christmas season. They play Christmas muzak CONSTANTLY” ~ Peggy from Des Moines
[ This Message was edited by: StewySmoot on 2001-08-24 18:54 ]
Move ---- Move now! Before penury and bankrupcty and destitution send you and your family into the streets, where you may have to live the life of a street musician.
Welcome Keith to a wonderful message board. I couldn’t help but pick up on the fact that you work so close to a very good music store. Watch out that they don’t give you an unlimited line of credit much like a casino, and fly you from where ever to purchase theeee next ultimate whistle.
I know what it’s like to be near a good music store. Number one comment heard when visitors come over: “Why do you have so many whistles, when you can only play one at once?” (reply: so the cats can play harmony). Just wait until you start getting people from C&F showing up for vacations just so they can stop by at the store…
On 2001-08-24 18:53, StewySmoot wrote:
I will play the same song, I mean tune, fine on one whistle and sound like I am strangling the cat on the next.
Is that what they’re calling it these days? cough.
I don’t know if switching whistles will hinder your progress. I know in my case if I switch to a different whistle that it takes a little while to adjust to the new spacing between finger holes, the shape of the holes themselves and the breath requirements especially in the second octave. This is especially true if I go from my usual D whistle to one of my lower ones such as one of my A or Bb whistles. If you plan to play for an audience I would suggest that you use only one whistle for practice and performance. You want to very familiar with that one whistle when your hands start to shake and your mind goes completely blank! Other than that situation, do what ever you enjoy and have fun!
On 2001-08-24 18:53, StewySmoot wrote:
I have that same dilemma.
[snip]
I think I could shorten my learning curve by concentrating with one whistle, but I aint in a hurry.
I’m in no rush either
I enjoy playing my different whistles, and as enjoyment is the reason I’m learning, I think I’ll stick with my ‘mix-and-match’ approach for now.
On 2001-08-24 19:02, MarkB wrote:
Move ---- Move now! Before penury and bankrupcty and destitution send you and your family into the streets, where you may have to live the life of a street musician.
Sound advice, Mark - I think I’ll take it
Seriously, I think I’ll ease up on the WhOA for now - until I improve my playing. But I’d really like a low D. And a really good high D. And…
If you plan to play for an audience I would suggest that you use only one whistle for practice and performance. You want to very familiar with that one whistle when your hands start to shake and your mind goes completely blank! Other than that situation, do what ever you enjoy and have fun!
Best wishes, Tom
Thanks for the advice, Tom. Performing is not in my plans, however I’d like to become good enough to sit in on a few sessions. As having fun is the priority at the moment, I think I’ll keep ‘chopping and changing’ for now.
