Total newbie here. Just learning to read music and definitely learning the tin whistle. Anybody in Salem, Oregon? Corvallis? Portland?
I’ve seen a couple of video (in VHS and DVD) offerings - as well as some downloadable video clips. Has anybody seen these? Any good ones?
My dilemma with WhOA:
I have a Walton’s high D that sounds pretty good, and a three year old Sweet in wood that sounds really warm and nice - looks like a sopranino recorder. I’m happy with these, but since I’m visiting in Washington D.C. want to pick up a few more at the HMT (House of Musical Traditions). Here’s what I’m considering:
Another Walton Mellow D (saw a brass finished one with a rather narrow bore)
An Oak D (tried one that sounded rather nice, although I get lost at figuring this out rather quickly)
A Dixon High D tunable: This one I tried and sounded quite nice, with a c natural quite different sounding than the other ones, less breathy and easier to blow.
A Clare D (tried it also, sounded pretty nifty, but really I want it for the fun of having it!)
A Water Weasel High D
From what I’ve read on this board this group sounds like a good combination of beginner whistles – and a higher end water weasel. Am I correct?
Unfortunately, the HMT does not have the Water Weasel in stock right now. Anywhere else in the Washington Metro area that I can find whistles? The Generations I tried at the HMT sounded awful. The Clarke’s I tried sounded pretty weak also, although I’ll probably get one eventually. Folks on this board seem to recommend the Hoover Whitecap in High D.
I’m in Portland. If you’re ever up in this neck of the woods, try stopping by Artichoke Music on Hawthorne Blvd. They’ve usually got a few nice whistles and low whistles in stock (and sometimes uilleann practice sets by Brad Angus in case you feel like expanding into the far more murky waters of UPOA).
Mmmm… good old Columbia county -the county with the 2nd highest unemployment in the state (I believe, we keep switching around with this one in eastern Oregon) where 40% of the population is rural.
I like the area in general though, just not the people. Or the editorials in the newspaper.
My biological father lives in salem. I like it more down there.
And I am just barely graduated from newb to beginner @ whistle IMO… so im not much help. But I exist! And so do you!
HMT will let you try out whistles. Get something that you like, and take recommendations only as guidance. Your taste might be completely different from somebody else’s.
I would recommend the Water Weasel first, but they don’t always have them in stock. Dixons don’t do anything for me, but they do have a good reputation and pretty consistent quality. My favorite cheapie is the Clare by quite a margin. You might also want to try a Walton’s C – I got one at HMT a few months ago (looking for a two-piece Clare) because it blew me away. It’s very strong and has a bit of a husky sound. You really oughta try a few Generations, too.
Thanks for the responses. I’ll have to visit some sessions in Portland. Too bad no responses from Salem, but I will try to find out in a couple of other places about teachers or other newbies to the whistle down in Salem.
Any of the newbies finding any particular tutor, be it video, book or audio, super helpful? I have quite a few books of tunes, beginner tutorials, a couple of CDs that came with books, and recently got Grey Larsen’s Tin Whistle book (quite cool actually), but am always interested in what is working well for others. Brother Steve’s page looks quite helpful.
I’m considering the Tin Whistle Tutorial featuring Brian Finnergan and offered here: http://www.madfortrad.com/ and the lessons offered here:
While your in Washington, DC you need to visit a great pub that is down the street in Bethesda, MD across from The Bethesda Naval Hospital and NIH. While in the U.S. Navy Medical Corp. we would go to this Pub called "Flannigan’s’. If you go don’t be fooled by it’s rustic look. They serve great “Black & Tans” and the Irish bands that play there Thurs, Fri, & Sat are very good.
As far as the whistle goes, I agree with the crowd…try them all out and make your choice.
So far I really like it! Seems like a great place to live.