Sweet Killourhy whistle thoughts

Whistle
1

Years ago when I first started playing Irish tunes, I bought a rosewood Sweet Killourhy whistle, and I was crazy about it.

Later I developed a bit of a distaste for whistles that easily go shrill on the high end and I laid it aside for years.

I have picked it back up, and found that it’s like rediscovering an old friend.

This is a different kind of whistle than a Burke, say, or a Hoover. It demands different techniques, and a different kind of control.

That said, I find playing it is as rewarding as I’d remembered it being. It has a lovely ring to it, and is responsive and stable.

This is the Sweet Killourhy on the reel “The Laurel Bush”:

http://www.flutesite.com/samples/laurel_kill.mp3

This isn’t meant to showcase my playing, which is always a work in progress and is far from where it needs to be, but I hope it does showcase the unique, vibrant tone of this whistle.

–James

2

Nice James - playing and whistle. I have an old Sweet Kilhoury C in blackwood that is also very fine.

Best,

Philo

3

That whistle sounds pretty out of tune to me. I think part of the problem is that you may be overblowing it a bit here and there, James, but even so I am surprised because the couple of old-style Sweet whistle that I tried were well in tune, with perhaps some issues on the high a and b. The new Pro models I’ve tried were well in tune, and pretty well balanced between octaves.

4

There are some tuning issues with the Killourhy–at least with mine, the octave is quite wide, and there is a noticable “break” between C-sharp and the second octave D.

That said, I do love playing this whistle. The sound is unique among all the whistles I own.

I reckon if I was a stickler on precise tuning I would have given up on that old German 8 key and never gotten into Irish music anyway. :slight_smile:

–James

5

Bloomfield - Next time around, have a go at my blackwood; be curious as to what you think.

Philo

6

Would love to. :slight_smile:

7

I still have a new condition Sweet Pro in blackwood and silver with three keys (Eb, Fn, and G#) and two head joints (whistle and fife).

I’m not really advertisting it right now because I have a friend who is “probably” interested.

Still, I paid $500.00 for it less than one year ago. If any of you has interest, make me an offer and I’ll push my friend for a fast answer.

8

As he was playing unaccompanied it doesn’t matter what he was tuned to providing the he was tuned to the piece. Flute and whistles are the hardest instruments to play tightly in tune with other instruments. Ask Mozart who hated flutes for most of his life.

Unfortunately I don’t have a tuner unit installed in my brain so I cannot comment on the whistle Peeplj other than to say it has elan and so does your playing.

9

I didn’t mean that he was tuned to 447 instead of 440, or something of that sort. The whistle doesn’t sound in-tune in relation to itself to me. Sorry if I am saying something unpleasant.

In my experience, flutes are much harder to play in tune than (decent) whistles. Unfortunately.

10

Bloomfield is right: that whistle is out of tune with itself.

Almost all my whistles (except the Burkes) are, to some degree or other, but that one has a very wide octave–the 2nd octave goes very sharp.

It’s a valid complaint.

That whistle’s saving grace is its lovely tone and responsiveness.

–James

11

Oh, now look what you’ve done. He’ll be insufferable for days. :frowning:

Susan

12

After having been insufferable for years, I’d say I was improving. :slight_smile:

13

Hah! You changed it too quickly! I was just coming in to ask for a clarification about which one of us you were talking about. :wink:

Susan

14

Bloody danglers. :wink:

15

READ ALL ABOUT IT! READ ALL ABOUT IT! BLOOMFIELD RIGHT!

Philo :slight_smile:

16

I guess I’m the only one who was thinking: somebody decided to rework the Drunken Landlady but ran out of ideas…nice playing, James. I don’t nitpick about pitch, unlike SOME people. :laughing: