Odd non-trad songs?

Whistle
1

Being new to the whistle, I’ve been trying to play lots of different things just to get used to playing. The more practice the better!

Am I odd, or is it normal to try out all sorts of songs… some of which may be considered strange? My background is hard rock music (being a bass player in the 80’s and 90’s), so I’ve been playing a number of things that are from that genre.

Songs like:
“Wanted Dead or Alive” and “You Give Love a Bad Name” by Bon Jovi
“Wasted Years” and “Alexander the Great” by Iron Maiden
“Bringing on the Heartbreak” by Def Leppard
“My Immortal” by Evanescence (not quite that genre, but you probably get the idea)

I’m hoping that I’m not alone… if not in the genre, at least in spirit. :smiley:

2

In spirit you are not alone. The easiest songs to learn are those we have listened to over and over.

3

I love that song.

Do you have the ABCs for it or do you play it by ear?

4

You would be amazed at how well “folk” instruments, and especially whistles and mountain dulcimers, respond to F/X of the types used on electric guitars.

5

The imperial march sure is the shat to learn

6

I played that one by ear, as the tune was not very difficult. For the chorus, for example, I used:
GFG AA GF GFE (2x)
GFG AA GF GFG
GFGF FG

For the bridge:
DEFA GFA GFE
FGG BAG FG FGA GFG

The tune sounds like it’s in “A”, but it didn’t quite sound right to me when I played it. Of course, my ear may be off :smiley:

7

Yes.


Around this place, of course not! :smiley:

Seriously, Ed, a lot of us come to whistle with a lot of experience in other styles and on other instruments and it makes a lot of sense to transfer what we can to whistle. I think there aree two related but separable things—learning to play whistle and learning to play it in the style or styles that made you want to take it up. The former isn’t very hard and is much more fun if you play in styles that you are already competent in. The latter could take a very long time if you are ambitious and have high standards. I played a lot of jazz, blues and folk (guitar, sax, keyboards) before coming to whistle so that stuff transfered across quite easily. This sort of transition is pretty common around here.