I’ve been playing the Clarke Sweetone on and off for about three months now, mostly just little songs I had played on recorder before.
However, I don’t like some of the breathy notes in this whistle. When I first got the whistle, I thought it was broken because the tone was so breathy, but I’ve learned sufficient breath control to get a pretty clear tone across the first two octaves. But nevertheless, D to F sharp in both the first and second octaves have this natural breathyness to them. It could be that I still suck, but a new whistle is only $8, so whatever.
I’ve been looking/hearing around, and it seems that the Generation whistles have a much more clearer tone than the Sweetone’s. Is this true? How does Feadog compare? I want to stay in the key of D. I’m not interested in modifying whistles.
Also, I’m not much of a fan of Irish jig/reel/etc. music. I was interested in these tin whistles after hearing it in stuff like Titanic and Lord of the Rings where I thought it was especially beautiful. Irish music is sometimes fun too though.
I’ve read about the quality control issues with the Generation’s. I don’t mind playing my cards on ordering one, and if I get one I think it’ll be from whistle&drum.
Most of the cheapies will have some sort of hiss or reedy buzz to them. This is a traditional characteristic that a lot of people like.
If you’re looking for a pure tone with very little “extra” noise, I believe that a Burke may be what you’re looking for. They’re known for a full, pure tone. Of course that puts you out of the cheapie category at around $150 new.
Of the cheapies in D, I have a Sweetone, Generation, Feadóg, Oak, Clare, and Clarke Original. I would say that of these, the Oak fits what you’re looking for better than the others.
I will also say that the Oak will be a little harder to play than your Sweetone. It’s more picky about breath control, and more likely to squawk until you get used to it. It’s a pretty quiet whistle that likes a gentle touch.
If you can spend around $40-$50, you might consider a Hoover Whitecap on a cheapie body (again the Oak is nice for this), or a Mellow Dog. I have both, and they’re both great whistles. I think I like the Mellow Dog a little more because it has a fuller sound (I assume due to the larger body). Also, the Mellow Dog head will fit on a C body as well, so you can have a set with only one head.
Both of these have a pure tone, but I believe the Hoover is a little moreso. The Mellow Dog has slightly more hiss.
Someone in the comments was saying the whistler (Andrea Corr) was using a Generation Bb, I dunno myself, but I’m sure one of you can pick it out from the close-ups.
The lead whistle tracks on the Lord of the Rings soundtrack were recorded by Alan Doherty of the Irish group Gráda. I’m not sure what he plays, Overtons for the low whistles, I think.
And yes, Titanic was Tony Hinnigan, aka Chief Wanganui.
sweetones are for kids-----i had one and let my kid beat it up -----actually i wanted to open him up to the world of tin whistle , but yes they about the cruddyest whistle i have ever tried -------on the flip side i love the original Clarke i have 4
I would second, or third or fourth the suggestion for a Hoover. If you want to transform a Feadog or Walton tube into a very pure/sweet playing whistle that has virtually no wasted air hiss, you can’t beat a Whitecap or Blacktop from Mack.
That woman is not playing that whistle. Makes a nice picture, but that’s the end of it. Maybe she did and recorded it, but that’s not being done live, IMHO. Watch her breathing.
And the movement of the melody doesn’t match her hands near the end of the opening phrase. Not even a good fake. Sounds good though .. I wonder who played it?
Well, I’m not going to defend Andrea Corr, and certainly not Celine Dion. However, it’s pretty obvious when I watch the video (sorry, couldn’t stand to watch all 5+ minutes), that the audio and video are out of sync.
It’s somewhat noticeable when Celine sings, but even a split second out of sync on a whistle looks way off.
I’m not saying the video isn’t pre-recorded, but I’d bet that if it is, it would probably be much less obvious on an actual DVD or live.
