I just received (in double-quick time from the Whistle Shop–thanks, Thom!) a brand new set of shiny brass Generations: Bb, C, D, Eb, F & G. First, let me say this is a relatively easy & cheap (only $27 for the brass set, I think nickel is slightly more) way to satisfy runaway WHOA. So many new whistles all at once! I find myself having fun deciding which one to play!
I’m getting to know these whistles a little bit now. I play them all with D fingering, since I don’t know fingering for all the keys, but it’s great fun to play one tune in each key and see how the mood of the tune changes with the key. I haven’t played before at all in Eb or F, and only low G. I find that I really like the Eb whistle–it has a sort of unusual cadence, and the whistle itself is just really easy to play–none of that characteristic Gen buzz or sqeakiness. And the C is surprisingly good. The ones I am not thrilled about are the G (it’s just SO high) and the Bb, but I’m hoping the sticky tack tweak this weekend will help improve these.
I’ve been playing for about a year now, and was getting used to my oft-played keys of D, C, Bb and A, so this was an easy way to get into other keys. If you find yourself getting a little bored with your whistles, I highly recommend buying a set for the fun of it.
Hi Kar, Welcome to the Generation fan club (‘Generation X’ ?). I agree with you that it’s fun and educational to try tunes in different keys-the nature of the tune definately changes with key,the other side of the coin being that certain tunes or tune types DO seem to suit certain keys.I do like the key of Eb (I wonder if this goes back to my Alto sax playing days?)-it certainly sounds ‘brighter’ than ‘D’,and jigs and reels can sound sprightlier-it’s very surprising how much less air an Eb takes compared to the ‘D’,considering that we are only talking a difference of a semi-tone. The Gen. Bb can be a very characterful whistle,but it may require a bit of tweaking-some people have reported problems with the upper octave-I have a brass Gen. that used to buzz in the top octave,as if it were sounding both octaves simultaneously-I fixed this by slightly dulling the blade and doing the ‘Bluetack’ tweak.‘Good Gens.’ are tremendous value. Have fun!
You use the same fingering on all the whistles, that’s why they make them in all the keys. The D fingering on a D whistle is the same as Bb fingering on a Bb whistle, or C fingering on a C whistle.
The three most common scales are:
The major scale beginning with all fingerholes covered (or an octave above). [C major on a C whistle]
The minor scale beginning with the top five fingerholes covered. [D minor on a C whistle]
The major key beginning with the bottom three fingerholes uncovered. This scale requires one accidental, fingered either øooooo or oxxooo (or some variant, depending on the whistle). [F major on a D whistle]
Beyond this there are other modal scales which can be played, and with some crossfingerings, it is sometimes possible to play in another major or minor key.
