Well, I made some modifications to my Clarke Original D so I wanted to get some comments on how it sounds. I used a circular file to file an indentation in the mouthpiece similar to the modified Clarke at the whistle shop to make it a more comfortable then used a fine grain emery paper to sand the whole area smooth. I then took a saw blade and put it through the windway and crunched the windway down until it touched the blade then removed the saw blade from the windway and pushed the windway blade edge (not sure what the technical term is, it’s the edge that splits the air as it comes out of the windway) down slightly so that it’s lined up with the windway better. It then played with it for half an hour or so to get the sound where I wanted it to be. Then, because the windway closure made wide gaps on either side of the wooden block, I filled these in with hot glue but since then have removed the hot glue because it actually sounds better with the gaps there! I don’t know why this is but it is. I think it sounds much better than it did originally. Less breathy, definately takes less air and it sounds much better in the higher octave (High E and F sound nice) It’s got more back pressure when you play now which makes it a little tougher to play but much more stable once you get used to it. Anyway, beginner that I am I recorded “Dawning of the Day” I think it’s a slow air but don’t quote me on that, I’m still figuring out the differences between types of songs. You can hear my birds being offended at the noise in the background. The recording is kind of low so you may have to turn up your speakers a little. Let me know what you think about both the whistle and my playing. Constructive critisism is a good thing Sorry about the poor quality of the recording, I haven’t done much audio stuff on the computer so I’m still figuring out how to do it.
Just bumping it back up. Geocities is having some difficulties today so I changed it to a different web site and changed the link accordingly. Please try it again and let me know what you think.
Thanks
-Jim
Very nice Jim.
I’m a huge luke Kelly/Dubs fan, and that tune was quite enjoyable to listen to this morning.
You want some “constructive criticism” eh?
Just a wee bit of ornamentation would greatly improve the tune… give it your own personal touch.
You could also try singing “Raglan Road” over it if you have a good voice.
I have a terrible voice, but then we all can’t be lucky enough to sing as well as Luke.
Thanks Raindog,
I’ve only been playing for 5 weeks now so ornamentation is a bit beyond me at this point I’ll be working on it in the next few months though. Trust me, you don’t really want to hear me singing, crows sound better most of the time
-Jim
I tried to listen but looks like the link is back down.
BTW, I like Clarke whistles and think the Clarke original in particular is a great value for a beginning player, because it has a good sound, is not so loud that the player will “shy back” from it, and it will teach you breath control, because it has little resistance and is much like “blowing down a barrel.”
Ok, I got it to work. Perserverance, sweat, hard work…nah, don’t let me kid ya! I rebooted. (Windoze…ya gotta love it.)
Thoughts on the whistle: nice sound, good chiff. I especially like the “pop” on the low D. Now that it’s pretty good, the secret to tweaking is to stop there. I have ruined whistles by taking them just one tweak too far. One tweak over the line, Sweet Jesus, one tweak over the line… (With apologies to classic rock-n-roll lovers everywhere…)
Thoughts on the tune: first, your tempo and rhythm are great: rock steady. Also, you are controlling the whistle well and playing well in tune, and you sound like you have good breath control. So I’d say you ahve a very sound base to work from.
Play with the tune a little. Try not tongueing so much. Slide into some notes. Enjoy yourself!
Thoughts on the whistle: nice sound, good chiff. I especially like the “pop” on the low D. Now that it’s pretty good, the secret to tweaking is to stop there. I have ruined whistles by taking them just one tweak too far. One tweak over the line, Sweet Jesus, one tweak over the line…> > (With apologies to classic rock-n-roll lovers everywhere…)
I think I’m done with tweeks on this one too other than playing with filing the gaps around the wood block. I may try that again.
Thoughts on the tune: first, your tempo and rhythm are great: rock steady. Also, you are controlling the whistle well and playing well in tune, and you sound like you have good breath control. So I’d say you ahve a very sound base to work from.
Play with the tune a little. Try not tongueing so much. Slide into some notes. Enjoy yourself!
Thanks James, I’ve actually been tongueing the notes so much on the beginner’s book stuff that it’s actually tough not to tongue the notes but I’ll get it
Hopefully I’ll have some more stuff for critiques soon. I’m almost ready with “Sean South of Gerryown”. I’m starting to think maybe practice can take the place of some amount of inborn talent
Sorry about the poor quality of the recording, I haven’t done much audio stuff on the computer so I’m still figuring out how to do it.
