I never felt I was a good singer so I really enjoyed what the harmonica, whistle, flutes, fife, and now ocarina gave me. I’ve noticed along the way that I developed better breath control, lip-whistling skills, and even singing skills. Now folks are telling me that they want me to sing (and play the guitar) more and play wind instruments less.
Yeah, it seems that they’re all related. I started the other way…I was always more confortable and confident singing than playing an instrument. I started on saxophones, but with the whistle (which I just started in Dec.) I felt much more at peace. Now, it seems that practicing one automatically benefits the other. Luckily, I try to hide anytime anybody asks me to perform…I’m one that likes to keep my music relatively private. 
I too play guitar and harmonica in addition to pennywhistle. I like to play instrumentals but I find that folks just don’t seem to appreciate them like they do singing. That is likely why in the bluegrass field they tend to play instrumental breaks between singing verses. Variety makes all the difference in the world. It seems to me that an effective instrumental has to have some variance so one verse is not identical to the one before. A set tune played over and over again in the same fashion tends to get boring to the listener.
Howie
You COULD take folks’ request two ways now, couldn’t you? My own family and friends are always telling me that I shouldn’t be “enriching” their lives so much with my playing and that I should go out(preferably far away) and “enrich” other people’s lives…
Reminds me of what the conductor Sir Thomas Beecham once said about brass bands, “They are marvelous in their place, outdoors and several miles away.” 
That’s an interesting observation, because I find that at sessions most people are really into the instrumentals but get up to refill their beers whenever anyone gets up to sing.
However, on my radio show, people tend to appreciate the shows where I concentrate on vocal music more than the more instrumentally inclined shows. I wonder if it’s because a lack of knowledge of the music make the songs easier for the average listener to follow.
Or just Variety is the Spice of life!
Caitlin
Hey, we must have the same families. We live away from our families and when we go home for the Holidays someone will say, “Now what do you have?” That’s just how my family is and they’re teasing me. When we were kids doing chores they let me play piano and sing in lieu of chores as long as I kept them entertained. That meant playing their favorite songs how they wanted them played and with enough enthusiasm to avoid chores as long as possible.
Regarding the radio show and vocals, I have a guess. I don’t play ITM and it all sounds the same to me. To inexperienced ears, vocals really add a dimension of understanding and appreciation to ITM. (I just happen to like the sound and convenience of the pennywhistle and the irish flute and just play all kinds of other music on these instruments.)
[quote=“mutepointe”
Regarding the radio show and vocals, I have a guess. I don’t play ITM and it all sounds the same to me. To inexperienced ears, vocals really add a dimension of understanding and appreciation to ITM. [/quote]
I’m sure you’re right about that.
Caitlin
I’ve noticed the same thing about lip-whistling as my flute embouchure continues to improve. And playing Native American flute (in a slow meditative way) has definitely improved my breath control and sustain.
My singing still embarrasses me even when I’m alone.
My lip-whistling has got worse as my flute embouchure improves. And I used to be able lip-whistle on blow and suck with much the same tone, now they sound different. Not sure about the singing skill - can go for longer without a breath but have got into the bad habit of sneaking short breaths here and there.
Caitlin- this is an interesting point! i know that personally, i REALLY love sessions when no one sings- mostly because i’m so into the music and the rhythms and the ‘energy’ going on. there’s also the non-verbal interaction with all of the other players that makes the music come alive and just be a good time had by all.
unless the person singing is TRULY something special, i’d just as soon listen to a whistle or flute solo.
listening to the radio, however, i tend to not enjoy purely instrumental tunes as much as ones with a (good) singer. there are exceptions- my personal favorite groups or performers will make me happy even on the radio, but generally i think i prefer singing over the airwaves.
of course, in any format, REALLY good sean-nós can make me stop dead in my tracks and completely tune in to the present moment!
perhaps, and just perhaps- it’s not so much a question of the sophistication of the ear that’s listening, so much as the skill of the voice that’s singing. the process of getting to the point where you’re heard on the radio tends to weed out those who people would rather grab a pint than listen to… ? just a thought.