For those of you who don’t know much about the people behind the whistles, here’s a bit of a thread that may illustrate the personality of the maker of Alba whistles. You are welcome to read the entire exchange in the thread called “choices, choices.”
When someone asked if he should get a Shaw or an Alba, I said “neither.” Here is exactly what I said about Alba:
Me:
I have played one Alba Low D, and I have heard that they have been improved since then, but it was extremely breathy, so much so that the top octave was not possible without hyperventilation.
Well, Zubivka (not the original querent)accused me of being an ass and said that my review holds no value because of how harsh it was. He asked me how I’d feel if I went to buy a motorcycle and the salesperson told me to get a van instead, and I said I would never get a motorcycle because I have seen too many people get killed on them. He (I think it’s male) also asked (not nicely) about my instrument making experience and I said I had made a few whistles and a flute. I NEVER used the word “crap” to describe Alba whistles. I said nothing negative about the maker of Alba whistles. Those days are over. Here is what the maker chimed in with:
On 2002-11-07 15:32, wizzy wrote:
JessieK, Right slagin off me whistles one thing but calling MOTOR CYCLES is some thing else, so now yer got me good an mad.
So what do you know,maybe I can review a piece of your crap jewellery, or one of your silver don’t play to badly whistles.
As a Goldsmith of thirty years standing I think I handle it. Which is more than you can say for my Laverda, and while I’m at it, Zub knows his onions even if he rides beemers.
Long live bikes,life on the edge whistles,
and Brittiany. >
Wizzy
This is not very readable, but it is not difficult for one to see the MEAN feeling behind the words. She called my jewelry crap and was totally inflammatory to me. I DO NOT LIKE THIS PERSON and I THINK ALBA WHISTLES ARE NOT GOOD WHISTLES, those two thoughts being independent of each other.
Maybe you should just calm down a bit, kick back, and not look at the board for a day. I sometimes get wrapped up in things, and it helps me to get some distance and perspective. If you are being attacked by other posters on the board, the people who read the board will see that and make their own judgments, anyway. So, time for three deep breaths and a walk outside, imho.
I too had a run in with Alba. Being disabled and of limited arm use I asked the weightof the D whistle. The answer was a suggestion that I took up weight lifting!!! Mt husband hit the roof and replied to her and in fact she sent me an Alba D free of charge. However It isn’t very playable unless you sit on it for a long time to warm it up. I much prefer the very pleasant manner of Tony Dixon who seems to really put himself out to help with any queries and will run to the post office if you are in dire need of a whistle.
The quotation from your posting
is an honest opinion,
expressed matter of factly. The
fact that you take the trouble
to point out that you’ve heard
that Albas have improved
shows you are concerned
to be fair.
Before that you write that
the Shaws you’ve played
were like ‘REALLY BAD Clarkes.’
You conclude: ‘Save yourself
the money, over time add more to
the low D account, and get
yourself a real one.’
You meant no harm, I know,
and some folks might
read the second sentence
as implying that neither
Shaws nor Albas are real
low Ds.
The internet magnifies
emphasis, so that ‘REALLY BAD’
may be read by some people,
as having more force
than I think you intended.
There are hundreds of people
reading these postings,
they can’t read your heart,
they don’t know you,
and some
of them like Albas
or Shaws and may get upset
by what sounds to them (not to you) like
Alba-Shaw bashing.
Right or wrong aside,
if you
write this way, you’ll
get this response.
I know
you’re trying
to be of use to people;
most of these
difficulties arise in
the midst of your
being helpful or
just honestly expressing
your view of things.
So
I hope you’ll be
more careful about
how you say what you think–
here, anyhow.
A little more circumspection
will go a long way. As ever, Jim
Jessie, I know quite well how easy it is to be misunderstood here. Things you say that are meant as helpful critique come across in some minds as vicious criticism. I think that some of it has to do with the public nature of the board. You are not speaking only to your subject, but to everyone, and what might be a mere cause to ask “why do you think that”, in one-on-one converse, becomes needful of a violent reaction.
I’ve been communicating with Stacey at Alba for some time now, and we’ve had our misunderstandings, but I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone more generous or helpful in this particular business.
I recall that between you and I, the first communication wasn’t totally pleasant, but I also think we’ve gotten past that, and you know that I like and respect you. Please don’t let this incident turn into an all-consuming fire that spoils your experience here, and forces you to take yourself, your experience, and your generosity, away from us.
I think what’s going on is a react/react/react thing. Someone needs to stop reacting, is all, and it will all stop. Anyone can make the first move. Then, if the olive branch is rejected, well, there’s always the option of ignoring whomever it is, and just getting on with having fun with those who’ll have fun with you, too. It’s what I’m doing!
I meant no personal harm to Jessie, but obviously I did hurt her. I bear no grudge cause I’m not hurt. I knew already I am a jerk. Sometimes. We’ve all had dirty underwear.
My apologies to anyone else who may have been shocked, and the many more probably bored by all this.
In some rare circumstances, courtesy calls for the man to walk out first.
This is not very readable, but it is not difficult for one to see the MEAN feeling behind the words. She called my jewelry crap and was totally inflammatory to me. I DO NOT LIKE THIS PERSON and I THINK ALBA WHISTLES ARE NOT GOOD WHISTLES, those two thoughts being independent of each other.
Make your own judgements.
Jessie
[/quote]
You see when the Boot is on the other foot it an’t a lot o fun in a but kickin contest.
I have had my share,now you have had a bit pehaps you will have a care.
Do not judge me to quickly.
I am sure you realy are a great person/jeweller/whistle player.
All the best to you.
:roll:
Wizzy
[quote]
On 2002-11-07 19:58, selkie wrote:
I too had a run in with Alba. Being disabled and of limited arm use I asked the weightof the D whistle. The answer was a suggestion that I took up weight lifting!!! Mt husband hit the roof and replied to her and in fact she sent me an Alba D free of charge. However It isn’t very playable unless you sit on it for a long time to warm it up. I much prefer the very pleasant manner of Tony Dixon who seems to really put himself out to help with any queries and will run to the post office if you are in dire need of a whistle.
Selkie
No need for this, at the time I was not aware of who you are, and to us able people the weight of a whistle is not a lot.
Yes I did send you a FREE whistle, and what thanks did I get, by the Way when I run to the post office its a Fourteen mile round trip.
My best wishes to you.
Stacey
You Know…sometimes the best thing to do is to just not respond at all. When I see a post I don’t agree with…even if I REALLY don’t agree with it…I ask myself on the grand scale of life just how important is this to me. Usually it is not that important.
Even in my day to day life..if someone is mean or unfair I have found it more useful to cool down and then just let it go. I do this alot because I have a sister who could have me up a tree screaming like a banshee if I let her. I just don’t allow it. I give it time, I forgive her and move on. Life works much better that way. We are supposed to forgive 70x7 times or so Jesus told us and if 77 times don’t work…try some more. Anger just eats at you. Ain’t worth it.
The bottom line is you know who you are, and what you are good at…like your jewelry Jessie. You know its not crap and anyone who bought from you knows the same thing. So why give the satisfaction of even defending it? Sometimes that is the whole point of saying nasty things…just to get an angry reaction. Sad but true. Calm down and let it go…
Both my husband and I sent you e-mails thanking you for your gesture. You answered saying you hadn’t heard from us. I had the e-mails confirmed. I then told various people on the folk circuit what this beautiful aluminium whistle was and a tourist e-mailed me to say he had ordered from you so I haven’t been idle in promoting you. The fascination of your whistle is such that when I bring it out from under my thigh where I have been warming it people stare at it. I then have to explain why I sit on it and where it comes from.
However it is a hard whistle to blow. Needs a lot of breath. But I stick to a couple of songs I can play with it.
I never take something without giving something back and by bringing it out and playing it and answering questions and giving your details I am promoting you and as far as I am concerned that is all I have to say.
I never take something without giving something back and by bringing it out and playing it and answering questions and giving your details I am promoting you and as far as I am concerned that is all I have to say.
Im Very sorry to hear you are upset,as indead I was when I saw your cruel post. At the time I was not fully aware of the extent of your disablement, and didn’t think.
Well, I think this all goes to show that we all could benefit from thinking before typing. Not all whistles are for everyone. I love the sound of the Shaws…I love the breathy sound…I just wish I had better air to play them. I think that the free whistle was a lovely gesture. Lets all make music not war.
