I recently purchased a new whistle from Erle Bartlett, maker of SYN whistles. It is tuned to a Mid Eastern scale, ahava raba. Any other members have this whistle? What do you think of it?
I’m afraid you seek in vain there Michael, yours is the only one I’ve made. Perhaps there are some out there made by Eric the Flutemaker.
I found it a nice little whistle for doodling, just going up and down the scale produces some almost recognizable Arabic style riffs. How do you find the fingering?
Well! A One of a Kind! I feel quite honored. I really like the whistle quite a lot. The low note, played with the pinky, took a bit of getting used to but quite manageable. After playing it I have a strong desire to eat hummus and pita. I also got curious about Mid Eastern scales and there is a lot of information online. Interesting how different cultures develop their music. I’d be rather interested in having the same scale in a lower pitch. Or other “exotic” scales.
sounds amazing. can you post some music, and maybe a video showing this pinky prowess?
Sadly or gladly depending one one’s point of view, I’m a Luddite. I have no idea how to post a video. Erle Bartlett of SYN whistles, the maker of this fine instrument, may be able to help.
For Ahava Rabba and Klezmer on whistles check out the clips of Daniel Bingamon and Tony Hinnigan:
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/non-irish-music-that-fits-on-the-whistle/98529/1
/MarcusR
Nah, don’t have a whistle any more…