Please test your whistle(s)

Whistle
1

Okay, I got curious and downloaded the frequency program at:

http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~tuner/tuner_e.html

This program gives a frequency readout using a basic microphone and sound card. I play my whistles:

Clarke C -526 - 590 - 656 - 696 - 775 - 873 - 964 - 1060
Susato D ------ 580 - 649 - 727 - 771 - 860 - 958 - 1021 - 1165
Walton D ------ 600 - 669 - 742 - 790 - 875 - 992 - 1062 - 1184

reference 523 - 587 - 657 - 699 - 784 - 880 - 988 - 1047 - 1175

reference frequencies from:
http://ashleys.net/music/notefreq.htm

There is easily a +/- 5 for each reading as the frequency flutters as I vary wind speed. Each whistle seems close to being in tune, with the Walton coming in a bit higher than the reference frequencies and the Susato a tad lower. The Clarke original is almost dead on!

One additional disclaimer is that the Clarke has about 2000 hours of playing time, while the Walton and Susato are relatively new whistles. I would be most interested in more data points. If you have the time and a microphone, please download the tuner program and play the basic scale.

  • Bill
2

the Clarke should, of course be playing F and C natural. I think we see that in the F, but it looks like the 2nd C could be awfully sharp.

Second octave might be even more interesting in the comparison.

3

Come on folks, please post your data. After all the subjective opinions on various whistles, it would be refreshing to see some data, flawed as it may be. I know everyone on this board has at least one whistle. I estimate that 10% to 20% of the hundred plus people that have read this post have microphones. Those without mics can borrow or buy one easily enough. Downloading the tuner program, playing the scale, and recording the data will only take about 15 minutes. (More if a person has a particularly large collection of whistles.)

I am especially interested if someone has a whistle that he/she absolutely loves, to see how close to ideal the frequencies are. Of my three, I “like” the sound of the Walton the best for most playing conditions, even though it is perhaps the farthest from “true.” I would also like to hear from people that have whistles that he/she believes are out of tune, to see if this is true or if it is more a subjective quality of sound issue.

For those looking to buy a mic, an inexpensive microphone may work fine for testing the frequencies. The mic I am using cost $5 at a swap meet. It may be worth it to satisfy your curiousity.

  • Bill

A footnote: I forgot about the sharps:
reference 740 for F# 1109 for C#

4

Oak Soprano D:

600 - 670 - 751 (F#) - 800 - 896 - 1010 - 1080 - 1130 (C#) - 1200

5

I was going to propose this same question/experiment once I had all the data accumulated. I am still waiting on a few whistles and will work on it in the mean time.

I suggest that all whistle scales be played in their natural key, if that was not clear.