I’ve been playing whistles now for awhile and I’ve noted something rather special about certain whistles…some seem to have a tone which sound more alive than others. Its like each note is its own harmonic. The whistle resonates as it is played.
This most recently was apparent as I tried to decide which whistle sounded best accompanying a piano piece. The piece was in the key of G. I first recorded myself playing on one of my favorite whistles - one in the key of, G (tricky, I know). Then I recorded the same part played on a low d whistle.
Although both sounded nice, the low D just sounded alive - like the sound bounced off the interior of the whistle. The D, an onyx, is conical and that got me to wondering. Is there something unique to a conical bore? Is it something unique to this whistle? Its been described as some as more flute-like. Is this characteristic common among flutes?
So pulled out various whistles and listened for the harmonic quality. Several seemed to approach duplicating the quality, although none matched it - a hi C by Garry Somers, an oriole Susato in Bb, a wooden B by tommy dion.
i noted this trait was not limited to a particular material (wood, delrin, aluminum) but not every whistle in my arsenal featured such a quality.
So is this trait just a coincidence? Is it unique to some whistles? Is it the result of a perfect storm of events which occur in the creation of a handcrafted instrument? Hmmmmm