This is actually a whistle question, but I need some piper’s advice. I may be unusual in that I didn’t play the whistle before I learned pipes but am now trying to learn after having played the pipes for a bit. The problem is that I can’t seem to get rid of using closed fingering when I am trying to play the whistle. My question is; does anyone have any advice about how to get rid of piping habits on the whistle? Also, how much piping fingering can you get away with using on the whistle? Some notes don’t seem to mind it while some really do. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
james
With practice, whistle/flute fingering will become second nature. As you played GHB before UP, you have been through this learning curve before.
Ted
I find that TRYING to use “whistle fingering” on a whistle is tedious… I just play the whistle with the same fingering (laying them over the hole, not using the fingertips or pads).
I sometimes find myself playing the whistle with the same fingering as the pipes…most of the time (depends on which note) it doesn’t sound too bad. Usually, this is after a long practice session on the pipes..my brain is still stuck in piping mode..it sometimes takes me a tune or two to fully shift into whistle mode.
But you should work to play with open fingering as I think it’ll give you better tone.
-gary