Well, I’ve been messing around with my whistle (a Meg), and can already play some simple tunes (albeit, they don’t sound so great), but I have a question. When ever I play some of the notes in the upper octave (namely the G and A), you can hear the lower octave sound just before the note, and right after letting go. Is this just because of the whistle, or is there a technique to get rid of this?
Thanks
Probably some of both. The high notes of the upper octave require a quicker, or tighter attack. Sometimes tonguing (say ‘taa’) gives the crisp attack you need. That said, some of the cheap whistles are pretty finicky on the high notes. Practice a lot, but don’t rule out upgrading to a better whistle, (or twenty or thirty…).
I play Megs very frequently. Unless by chance you got yourself a lemon, I’d say to just spend some more time with that whistle. Each different whistle make that you try will have different characteristics that you’ll have to get used to. Try what crookedtune mentioned and use a little more tonguing to attack the note quicker… and when the note is finished, cut the air supply quickly (don’t ease off of it) or you will go back into the lower register. If this is your first whistle then chances are you just need to spend some more time to get to know your instrument. Don’t get discouraged.
Good luck!
Can tell by your question that you have been practicing. Each note takes a slight amount of breath differance to play. Try this boring excercise.
Play the bottom D than the upper d. Than the bottom E and the upper e.
And so on D, d - E,e - F#,f# - G,g - A,a - B,b - C# Don’t worry about hitting that high c# yet, you won’t need it very often. After you play that scale a few times than start at the bottom and play lower octave D,E,F#,G,A,B,C#,upper octave d,e,f#,g,a,b and go back down again till you can do in in one breath. You want the breath for each note to become a reflex with out thinking about the change in breath. Play these each day before playing tunes that you know. Soon your breath will play each note without you thinking about changing your breath.
Do not buy another whistle till you are comfortable with this one. Each whistle is differant.