Hello All!
I’ve been thinking about a whistle in A. Only remember reading about whistles in this key on a few occassions.
So, are there nice A’s out there? Would appreciate to hear your experiences. And also, how often do you use a whistle in A (have been asked to join a band, not traditional though. Thought more keys would be handy…)
Many thanks everyone!
I have a Burke composite in A. Very nice whistle. Provides an alternative for those songs with pickup notes too low for a D whistle.
John
I happen to LOVE Shaw whistles. Breathy, lots of chiff (read “needs lots of breath!”). But beautiful sound. I own an E and an A. It’s gorgeous!
Hey CB,
Consider a Hoover cpvc. I have one in Ab that is absolutely great. Good volume, nice clean sound, even volume between the octaves, and changes octaves easily. I prefer it over Sindt A, Overton G, Shaw G and Susato G which are the other whistles I have around that key.
It really is a fantastic whistle. I think you’d like it.
Vinny
The Copeland A is very nice. I think
Overton and Chieftain As are nice, too.
A seems a good key for making good
whistles. A is useful playing with
other instruments, but it isn’t
essential, generally. The fingering
for D is quite helpful. I find a
G whistle most useful, after the
D, then an A–for the stuff we
play, any how.
The Water Weasel Bb and A whistles (made of the gray PVC) are really amazing.
-brett
P.S. I’ve currently got a Bb Water Weasel, but have decided that I’d get more use from an A. If anyone has an A, but would like a Bb instead, I’d be willing to trade. thnx.
[ This Message was edited by: bretton on 2002-04-02 16:43 ]
I’ll second the vote for the Shaw A. I love mine. Also, although I only own one Hoover, a D, I can say it is a very good instrument. If Mack PVC A is anything like this D, it’ll be a good instrument.
Vinny, shame on you! You got me thinking about a Hoover A! Now I’m going to have to talk to my wife about another whistle!
Scott
“If thy neighbor offend thee, buy his child a bodhran.”
[ This Message was edited by: ScottStewart on 2002-04-02 17:44 ]
I second the vote for the Burke Composite A. It’s one of my favorite playing/sounding whistles. I have a Bflat Burke Composite on the way and this summer will be getting an A/Bflat Sindt set that I’m really looking for to receiving. I have a Burke Al Pro G but I keep going back to the Composite A.
I own a Burke AlPro A and a Hoover aluminum A. I love both of them. I find an A an absolutely essential key to have on hand. Probably because of its greater length and width, it gives you the key of D with a bit more body to the sound than the D whistle, itself, is capable of. Being able to go lower than the low ‘d’ in the range is also a real asset on many melodies.
You are correct in thinking an A will be an excellent addition to your whistle collection. I wish you the best in your choice.
Cheers.
Byll
Bretton, if you ask Glen S. he may make
you an A tube to fit the Bb whistle head.
Did for me. Best, Jim
Funny, I was just thinking how much I really really like my Burke Al Pro A. . .its actually the first one I’ve been reaching for recently.
I am happy with my composite C, but can’t extrapolate that sound down to an A. If I had a minor fortune, I’d get Burke composite and aluminum D to do a compare/contrast.
Hey Scott,
Sorry for the WhOA trigger. I ordered the Ab as a key fill-in whistle to defend against those dreaded keyboardists and capoed guitarists but after the whistle arrived I was so impressed with it that I wanted one in A. A friend of mine who plays guitar will specifically capo her guitar so I can play the Ab whistle! You won’t be sorry!
Vinny
Thanks all!
I like your suggestions, although I haven’t played, heared or ever seen a picture of a Waterweasel.
It’ll probably be a Burke, Overton or Chietain because they’re the most easy for me to get.
Vinny
Can’t they ‘capo’ to A or do you just love that Ab soo much?
Jim
What stuff is that you usually play? (Just curious).
I guess I need to know what key is most handy for playing with gitarist (without them having to ‘capo’).
Thanks!
Depends on the guitarist and more importantly, if there is a vocalist…they will play in a key that is good for the vocalist. The most commonly used are g d c and e. E sounds REALLY good on the guitar and is comfortable to play in. (and of course if you are doing any blues is an essential key) I think if you get those four keys covered you will be FINE.
I only have 2 As, Shaw and Dixon, so I can only comment on these 2. Shaw sounds nice and flutey. Interesting, rich, furry sound. But the breath requirements kill me. And it’s not tunable. I like my Dixon. Reasonable price, sounds good [woody, slightly breathy but clear, if you can understand that](but it’s not as complex as the Shaw), low air requirements, tunable.
I’m sure there are better A whistles around, but for the price, the Dixon is a good buy.
Hey CB,
Unfortunately, sometimes they don’t WANT to capo to an A. It’s easier to get out a different whistle than argue for a certain key. But my friend does capo to an Ab specifically so I can use the Hoover.
I guess that constitutes a guitarist’s endorsement of a whistle. 
Vinny
I am ordering Sindt’s A whistle. Anyone has experience on Sindt’s A whistle, I would appreciate if you colud give your comments on this board. Thanks.
Hey, all you Shaw A fans - I have one I’ll sell to the first person who offers $25. E-mail me.
I was just playing my Overton A and must say the whistle burns! Mine takes some back pressure. Now that I have the hang of it, I can play very long lines, and be very expressive by adjusting my lungs, like billows.
Oh yeah, adding to the Aflat capo…I love to capo on the 4th fret, my guitar takes on a nice timbre, as it does on other frets. First fret is nice and dark, I’ve seen alot of folk players capo up to F. They all have a different color to them.
Jack “Long live the Capo” Orion
[ This Message was edited by: jackorion on 2002-04-05 21:34 ]
The Shaw A is sold.