I’m an oboist, but I’m also very interested in Celtic music. Two years ago, I bought a $5 tin whistle and started to play some songs by ear; now I’ve got more musical experience under my belt and I really love this instrument. I’m looking for a good whistle so that I can audition to play for live audiences in January, and I wondered if anyone could give me any recommendations. So far, the Chieftain Songbird whistle and the Harper pennywhistle have caught my attention and seemed nice, but since I don’t know a great deal about what makes a tin whistle any good beyond what the instruments’ reviews have said, I’m not sure what to look into. I would appreciate it greatly if someone could help me out
Welcome Thea. If you search the archives you will find many reviews, many more opinions on many brands of whistles. With whistles there are trade offs. It may be helpful if you give a bit more information. Will you be playing indoors? Outdoors? Amplified or acoustic? As part of a band or solo? Obviously if you are going to perform without benefit of amplification, volume is going to be much more of a consideration.
Are you planning on Irish Traditional Music? Fast dance music, or slow airy solos, a good mix, or some other kind of music all together? If you are looking for a chiffy sound, you will get steered in a certain direction, if you desire more of a flutey sound, you will get other suggestions.
Dixon whistles are great (in my opinion) some people love 'em some hate 'em. I have heard good things about Albas but have never played one. My suggestion is go for a dixon it has a dark solid tone yet some how it retains chiff how? it never stops amazing me. You should listen to your relow double reed player I am a Bassoonist (since I was 11 I am now 15).
An oboe player who audtions is, most likely, a classical player.
Avoid Harpers. They are a bit harsh in the second octave and lack a focused core.
If you are serious about this, and it sounds like you are, get an Abell whistle (www.abellflute.com) and play it in for six months. It will improve drastically and will wind up being the best whistle you can find. James Galway plays an Abell whistle when whistle is called for.
Thanks very much I’ll be playing outdoors, most likely, with amplification and probably both as part of a band and alone. Fast traditional Irish dance music and haunting airs are what I will be playing, so I’m looking for a whistle with a rich, solid, beautiful tone. I’ll look into the Dixon and the Abell. I am only 15 but very serious about this, so thank you all very much. What I’m doing is playing in the Ireland area of Busch Gardens (in VA), and hopefully I’ll get some good experience from that so I can go on to play at other places. Again, I greatly appreciate the advice
A lot of people disagree with me, but I prefer the Clarke Original design C and D for high whistles (around $10), and the Michael Burke AL-PRO for low whistles (around $200).
I wouldn’t recommend the Dixon for outdoor playing - its wind resistance is average at best. (You could get a tunable and turn the head upside down so the windway faces down - I’ve heard that helps).
I believe Redwolf plays outdoors a lot for Morris dancers. I seem to recall that she used a Susato SB for a long time, and currently uses a Sweetheart Professional. You might want to get a Susato and try it out; though I prefer the look and sound of the Sweetheart Pro, it’s about 5x the cost.
I’ll be playing outdoors, most likely, with amplification and probably both as part of a band and alone. Fast traditional Irish dance music and haunting airs are what I will be playing, so I’m looking for a whistle with a rich, solid, beautiful tone. I’ll look into the Dixon and the Abell. I am only 15 but very serious about this, so thank you all very much. What I’m doing is playing in the Ireland area of Busch Gardens (in VA), and hopefully I’ll get some good experience from that so I can go on to play at other places. Again, I greatly appreciate the advice 