When I first started buying whistles, I thought I wanted several different keys, but then I came to notice that everything I want to play can be played on a D whistle. I’ve been learning a lot of reels, jigs, polkas, etc. so I can play in a local session. So far, I haven’t encountered anything that needs a different key whistle.
So, what does everyone play on all those E-flats, B-flats, low Fs, etc.?
That’s right. It all can be played on the one whistle. The other keys are needed when you want to play with other instruments or with someone singing, or if you just want a higher or lower voice of instrument.
The biggest reason for needing other keys is when you need to accompany vocalists.
I find it very rare when I can use a D whistle with a vocalist.
With men, most common: A, C and G
With women, most common: F and G
Aside from that, some tunes, especially airs, sound good in other keys. I get a lot of use from my F whistle.
Well after 3 years experience playing out in the world with others, the only time I need the Bflat is when there is a Highland pipe player to
play with. I have used the C when playing with a singer who needs a
different key to sing in. The low D is wonderful cause you can play an octave lower than anyone else and its sounds sooooo cool. The other
keys are for playing with other instruments who are tuned to those
keys. I have a whole bunch of them, but hardly ever play them either.
They sound lower so are fun to play by yourself tho!
Lolly
I just bought a Generation “F” cause I felt like playing in a higher octave. Some of the tunes I can play sound differant and its a nice change. I have never played with anybody else or any other instruments I just kinda like the differant sound.
Here’s an example of why you need almost every key (and brand) of whistle known to the western world:
If, for example, the song is in C, and the starting and/or ending note is a C, which, in most cases puts your C whistle at its lowest and softest register, then you might want to play the song on a low F whistle, providing you can transpose or play by ear, which puts the song in the middle of that particular whistle’s register, which is better because now you will be heard.
JP
i only play in D and G because my hands feel most comfortable on those whistles.
if i come across a tune in another key, i just put it into D or G with roni’s slowdowner.
One thing I always wondered about session-style ITM is how come everything is played in unisson (or octaved same thing), while I can’t see why G (or A) couldn’t back D tunes, and C (or D) G tunes, even if it’s tutti rather than polyphony.
the low d just sounds amazing. the bass whistle lower than low d are basically for stretching your fingers so much that the low d starts to feel easy. the c below high d is for playing along with pipers who have a c set and recordings of those pipers. the b flat is for playing along with pipers. the b natural (a rare key but i am getting one) is for playing with pipers who have a b set, quite common among dedicated up players. the a is for playing along with smallpipes. the g is just a common key, works for vocalists, and has d as a secondary k. i can’t justify the low f and e flat yet, but i am working on it.
personally, the high d is my least favorite. it sounds shrill to me, probably because i am not the best player. it is however, sort of a universal key, and much easier to play than the low d.
meir
My band plays in lot of different keys. Keys have a ‘feel’ to them, and a variety adds spice to our performances. Having whistles for the dulcimer-friendly keys is a necessity for me…
Best.
Byll
Church…
Funny enough, I have Bb and Eb and never play them anywhere, because my church band plays mostly in E related keys… (E, B, F#m, some C#m), some A and G#minor too, and even occasionally in D and G. Sometimes it even gets to F, but that is rare.
The most fun though is trying to play trumpet with those keys. (Trumpets are Bb instruments which means that we play music written a tone above “concert pitch”. ie what the guitars play. So for E = F#, B = C# (or Db), A = B, F#m = G#m, D = E, G = A, Em = F#m, etc. Those are HARD)
I have them just because I like them and the way each one sounds. The Bb, A, and G alto keys just sound lovely to me. A and G are also versatile because guitarists play in that key a lot (On the rare occasions I play whistle with others, it’s usually not ITM–no reason other than my musical friends aren’t into ITM). These keys are a nice change from the shrill sound of the higher keys. I haven’t mastered anything lower than that yet but hope to someday.
You’re right, in a (typical Irish) session a D whistle is really all you need. However a C whistle is useful for tunes in keys such as G “minor” and D “minor” which are quite common in the Irish repertoire, at least when there are fiddles in the immediate environment. Explanation at http://www.rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/quicktips.html#ddorian.
Most useful whistle for playing with highland pipes is actually an Eb whistle.
I’ve read that section of Brother Steve’s site before but never understood it. Here’s what it says:
“Grab a whistle in the key of C and play the tune as though it were pitched a tone higher. For example, the tune Julia Delaney is said to be in “D minor” (actually it’s not in a true minor key, but in the “dorian mode”, and has the sixth degree missing to boot). Take your C whistle and learn the tune as though you were playing it in E “minor” (i.e. as if you were playing in E minor on a D whistle). You can now play along in the session. Tunes such as Eileen Curran and Dowd’s favourite that are in “G minor” (actually G-dorian) can easily be played on a C whistle - just imagine you are playing them in in A on a D whistle.”
How would you play “as though you were playing it in E minor” or in A on a D whistle? Could someone explain this? 
Thanks!
Forget the fact that the whistle is in C. Pretend it’s a D whistle and that you’re playing in E minor. Does this help?
Forget the fact that the whistle is in C. Pretend it’s a D whistle and that you’re playing in E minor. Does this help?[/quote]
Oh, I see. So, instead of playing in E minor, I’m now playing in D minor. Is that right?
Is there a trick that would allow me to play a tune that’s originally in D minor? Is there a easy trick to do that?
Oi veh. I gotta gets me a some muzak lurning.
That is right.
Er, yes… use a C whistle and pretend you are playing in “E minor”. I thought that was what we were talking about. See no. 1 above. 
[Boo wrote:
2. Is there a trick that would allow me to play a tune that’s originally in D minor? Is there a easy trick to do that?
Er, yes… use a C whistle and pretend you are playing in “E minor”. I thought that was what we were talking about. See no. 1 above.
BUT, is there a way to play a tune originally in D minor?
Just kidding. Mom always said I was the quick one in the family.
Thanks, Steve.