Traditional Irish Band in Vermont

Whistle
1

Hi All,

I just had the great opportunity to hear a great traditional Irish band in Vermont called Extra Stout (http://www.extrastoutband.com). They were playing at the college I work at and they certainly set the mood for St. Patrick’s day :slight_smile:

Since this was my first experience with a live Irish band, I was a little suprised at the volume (or lack of) of the whistle. Is this normal or just the sound guy’s fault? Maybe it’s my bias, but I was hoping the whistle was more predominant.

I was planning on talking to the whistle player for her comments (since she works at the college, too), but I thought I’d ask here anyway. I’ll also find out what kind of whistle and key she was using – although I think she had a couple.

Thanks,

Scott

2

I like it when the sound guys have a nice natural mix. When I play, I don’t want the whistle to be loud and in front unless I’m particularly being featured on that tune or in a solo for a song. Most of the time you shouldn’t be able to hear most of the notes below first register G (when playing with other melody players, that is). The best sound guys are the ones who achieve a nice, natural acoustic sound in the room. You don’t need to bring the house down, you just need to make sure everyone can hear you. It drives me nuts at the festival here when the sound guys just keep cranking everyone up until every mic is extremely hot. If there isn’t enough whistle, fiddle, guitar, etc. in the mix then you need to adjust the entire mix and perhaps bring some of the others down, not just keep upping the volume.

Well, that’ my humble preference anyhow. :slight_smile:

3

Well I just talked to the whistle player and she says that the sound guy was bringing her volumn down since it was a smaller area that they were playing in.

As far as her whistles … she was playing a Burke D and in a couple of songs a Chris Abell C. I actually had a really nice conversation with her about her whistles.

I can’t wait until my fingers cooperate :slight_smile:

Scott

4

I like it when the whistle is prominent, also.

Scott, where in VT are you?

5

Scott, where in VT are you?

I work at Castleton State College.

shadeclan, I noticed your location was Shaftsbury … it’s a small world :slight_smile: Do you know of many VT whistlers?

Scott

6

I know that they’re around, but I haven’t met them. In fact, you are the only one in Vermont I’ve talked to. Not that this is saying much, but I’m more familiar with whistlers in Albany - which is to say that I’ve met one.

Looks like Castleton is about an hour and a half away - bummer!