Hey I am a violinist and pianist interested in learning the whistle. I was wondering what kind I should get. It needs to be cheap and tunable. I have a very good ear and if it isn’t in tune it will drive me crazy. I won’t have time to practice hours everyday or anything I just want something with a good sound and something that is easy to play. I have not played a wind instrument except for the recorder in 4th grade. (I am now in my second year of college) I have been reading the forum a bit and I looked at the whistle review page of the site, but still have no idea what to get. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Katie
Sounds like one of mine or Jerry Freeman’s tweaked whistles is what you need. Feel free to email me if you are intrested in learning more. Also a tuanble Dixon would be a good choice for you.
I would go for a Dixon if its your first whistle.
I think a dixon would be better than a tweaked cheapie for you, since you’re into the whole “tunable” thing. I own the aluminum body and like it a lot. It’s not as responsive as I’d like, but it’s got a lovely, sweet tone. The breath requirements are little low, so it might take a moment to get used to that, but I don’t think it would be a major caveat in the grand scheme of things.
If you’re rolling in cash (which is rare for a college student), I would suggest going ahead and getting a Burke. They’re right around $140, and they have a nice, clean sound. They are also superbly playable, as well as amply tunable. And you won’t grow out of it. I love mine. Probably more than I should love an inanimate object.
You can get Dixons and Burkes at The Whistle Shop.
I love my Dixons and would never think of letting them go, I play them all the time. However…
If you want a tunable cheap whistle that is perfectly in tune, I would have to say Susato.
The Dixon is easier to play and oh so sweet in the upper notes, but it is not as cheap and may not be perfectly in tune like a Susato.
Forgive me Tony.
Mike
Ah, the Susato. The most debated-over whistle.
I actually picked up my susato D a few days ago, and I must say, it was a different beast than I recall. There are a few things that the Susato does very well. Intonation, backpressure, “pop” of the ornaments, etc. It is also probably the most responsive whistle I own.
I think the Susato gets a bad reputation because it’s loud and doesn’t sound like a whistle. It was my first whistle, and I didn’t care for it at the time, but I think I’m going to have to give it a once-over one more time before I get rid of it.
At any rate, I’d consider the Susato something to consider. 