I started playing the whistle back in May and have been hooked ever since. I am recovering from reconstructuve surgery on my leg and have to wear a fixator for a year. Playing the whistle has been the perfect outlet for me. I don’t really miss some of those activities that I can no longer do because I now only want to play the whistle (and so continue to be happy and not so frustrated)! I am a whistling fool! I have been playing concerts for the birds-- they love it. I have a feral cat living in my closet/rafters, and he actually comes out and sits with me when I play the whistle.
Anyway, I do have some questions… Yesterday I got a Burke composite whistle in the mail. I am hoping that this was the right purchase decision (it sounds fantastic! I was playing all night.) I find that it slips a bit (particularly when playing reels), and so I know that I am doing something wrong… What are some of the best resources for whistle players? I have been following the Tin Whistle Toolbox and have been doing okay with it. However, I do know that practice makes perfect.
My other question is that I want to write down some things, but am unsure as to what music notation software I should use. What do people here use?
My final question is that I like to drink Dr. Pepper… Will this damage my fancy new whistle???
When you say it slips a bit, do you mean it moves in your hand or the tuning slide is slipping? If the earlier, try putting you little finger on the little composite ring at the bottom of the whistle and keeping it there. If the latter, try some lanolin in the slide…
Addiction is a scary thing ! I am addicted to both flute and (lately) the bodhran!!!
Welcome. Regarding the Dr. Pepper, are you more concerned about the whistle than yourself? You didn’t say how you came to find out about whistles. I’m nosey.
Thank you for the advice-- The whistle is actually slipping a bit from my hand-- particularly on C#
As for the Soda-- I just do not want to damage the whistle. It seems that the material can handle it-- but I am not %100 sure. I played the oboe in middle school and so am used to prohibitions against drinking soda while playing. It may have been a stupid question but I was wondering whether or not it was possible to damage the instrument in this way. I like the whistle and do not want to ruin it.
As for discovering the whistle— I just ordered one of those whistle starter kits off of Amazon and started playing. I have always enjoyed the sound of the instrument and wanted to get back into playing music. I joined a choir a few years back and have really enjoyed music as of late. Also, I learned that I have a lot of long lost relatives in Ireland, and they enjoy the instrument. I got hooked because I learned to play several songs on the whistle fairly quickly and so kept it up.
Congratulatons, Christina! A Burke whistle and the Tin Whistle Toolbox…I couldn’t think of a better way to start!
I remember the absolute crazy joy I had in first starting the whistle. I would play for hours and hours. I don’t do that after four years, but when I play I still have the feeling that I don’t want to put the thing down. What could be better?
As far as the whistle slipping in your hands when playing C#, you can place your bottom ring finger down to help stabilize the whistle and it will not change the tone of the note. That is what I usually do.
The pinkie finger down strategy is one way to deal with it. Didn’t work well for me because my pinkie wants to follow the 3rd finger.
You can also cover the bottom hole with the third finger of your bottom hand when playing the C#. It’s a little counter intuitive at first, but when your head gets used to it you don’t even notice the little switcheroo. You’ll see this style here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD9pH6YZ6_0
Thank you! I appreciate the greetings and advice. Also, I am absolutely happy with my new whistle. It has such a nice mellow sound. I will continue to work on the slipping issue and greatly appreciate the link and hints. I do have really small hands, but am sure that with more practice this will come easier. Warm regards-Christina
P.S. Not sure about the prune juice-- but during my recovery I have had at least two cans a day. It must be good for me!
Welcome, Christina. You said you’ve been playing since May, so out of curiosity what whistle(s) were you playing before the Burke? The reason I ask is you didn’t mention having this slipping problem before the Burke… or did you?
Don’t know about Dr. Pepper but I’ll tell ya one thing…I’m sure glad Guinness doesn’t ruin whistles. Just makes 'em taste better
I am so pleased that you found whistles at just the right time in your life! Nothing better to distract you from your frustrations than struggling to play something as you hear it “inside!” And when it comes out right there is no better feeling.
I always keep my third right hand finger on the bottom hole when I play C#, or I too drop the whistle. I find it easier than keeping my little finger (pinkie - I am a Brit - we don’t say that!) down on the whistle.
Enjoy your whistling, and I hope you are mobile again soon.
Them sugary fizzy drinks are a pollution, to be sure. They’ll rot your teeth from the acid, if not the sugar, and they’ll do your insides no good at all. They’re good for cleaning your pocket change and small oily bits of your car engines.
Stick to good ale, and whisky-and-water. Och, ye can have scotch on the rocks if ye must. I’m not heartless.
About whistles slipping about under the fingers, it’s common for whistle and Irish flute players to use an “anchor finger” to keep the whistle under control.
I’ve seen a number of trad whistle and flute players keep the little finger of their lower hand down ALL the time, even when playing E. Since the little finger and ring finger are sort of connected I find this difficult, but a lot of people do it and play very well.
Other players have that little finger up for bottom D and E but put it down on the whistle for G, A, B, and C/C#.
F# varies from player to player and even from phrase to phrase with the same player sometimes.
Then there are many trad players who use the lower-hand ring finger for their anchor finger. I’m one of those.
I have it off for E (obviously) and F# but usually have it on for G, A, B, and C/C#.
So, for such players, the default fingering of the whistle is:
D xxx xxx
E xxx xxo
F# xxx xoo
G xxx oox
A xxo oox
B xoo oox
C oxx oox
C# ooo oox
On old Generations etc whistles this works fine, however on for example my Susato and Burke Low D’s high B must be played with the lower-hand ring finger off for the best response and tone.
I will definitely have to switch to Guiness-- at least you can get an entire meal out of it.
I started playing with a Feadog that came with the starter kit (not a bad little whistle) and then received a little Carbony (which it great but not tunable). I absolutely love the Carbony-- and it does not slip at all when I play it. However, the Burke whistle is far more substantial and has a different (but not exactly nicer) tone. It also seems to carry better, and offers more flexibility in terms of fingering. Actually, I like the way both whistles sound. I am only now experiencing slipping with the Burke. It is completely different and I still need to get the feel of it (but am happy with it nonetheless).
I guess the one good thing about getting my bone fixed is that people keep giving me get well whistles. I now have more whistles than tumours (having recieved a Guniness, 2 clarke tin whistles, a sweetone, a home made b flat, a homemade low D, the Burke and the Carbony, a Shin (reed instrument), a sopranino recorder, two soprano and an alto recorder, and a harmonica), which tells me that I am making out pretty well. All I said was that “I prefer whistles to flowers…”… I now have lots of whistles-- more whistles than I know what to do with. I actually put them all in a vase. Actually, when I am finally off the crutches I am thinking of cutting them up into tiny pieces and making more whistles. Indeed, I even have a great big whistle that someone made for me out of some pipe. I can’t play it (the pinky does not reach the bottom hole), but I am keeping it by my door in case someone tries to break in.
Warm regards,
Christina
P.S. I am copying down the messages about anchoring the whistle in my copy of the toolbox-- thank you for this advice. Also, I am enjoying the personal links-- It is so inspiring. The Damask Rose is so gorgeous— beautiful and simple.
! I am addicted to both flute and (lately) the bodhran!!!
is Dr Pepper still made from prune juice?
