Hi all,
Through several months of drilling Gray Larson’s fabulous book cover to cover, I’ve gotten to the point where people have expressed interest in having me play in their bands. However, I don’t really have a whistle that matches the sound I like. I learned to play on my dad’s old Generation D he got in Ireland when he was my age (college), but the whistle must be blown so softly that it’s difficult to keep the notes in tune, and to be heard during unsimplified performance. (also, C natural is not tuned properly) I then got a set of three Susato whistles in C, Eb and B, and while I love the way they play; that is, smooth, moderate volume and with great cross-fingering capability, the sound is unremarkable and frankly recorder-like. So here’s my question to the connoisseurs out there:
What whistle would you recommend for someone wanting to play at a moderate volume, and a slightly breathier sound?
I know price does not always dictate quality in the whistle world, so lay whatever suggestions you have on me, as long as it keeps its tune and plays a good upper register. That said, I’ve heard Paul Busman whistles are great, and at a reasonable price for the quality. Anyone own one?
You are spot on, Sir. I own two Busman whistles - a D and a C. As i am not willing - nor able, in the post-concert responsibilities that are the norm - to take proper care of a wooden whistle, my Busmans are made of Dymondwood, a synthetic. They are of medium volume, with just the right amount of complexity in sound.
Staying with your dictums, I would suggest also looking at the offerings of Colin Goldie, if you desire a thick-walled aluminum instrument.
Both makers are skilled, sensitive to the needs of their clients, and are stand-up persons, overall.
I think the most I would be willing/able to drop on a whistle at the moment is under $80 USD. I’m saving up for a Busman Acetyl Polymer, I think, with the positive response to them I’ve seen both here and elsewhere, but I’m going to wait until the end of this term so I can order it when I’m home.
For more inexpensive whistles, how’s the Clarke original in D? I notice a lot of cheaper tin whistles don’t have a very good c-natural, nor does the higher octave sound particularly good. Clarke seems to be widely liked, however, so I inquire after your opinions on it and the work of Dave Shaw, who seems to occupy a rare “intermediate” range of whistles.
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer, it is much appreciated!
Suggest looking at some of Jerry Freeman’s tweaked whistles. His Mellow Dogs, Bluebirds, and Tweaked Gens are all well below your budget limit (you could get two or maybe even three for that amount), all of which will be guaranteed good players.
Well, judging from the single Clarke and five Shaws in my collection, I’d say don’t expect a decent OXXOOO C natural from any of them because you won’t get it! (NB while I also like this fingering, it’s sharp on many quality whistles such as Sindts so ‘tuned properly’ isn’t quite the black and white issue you might think.) Might add that I’d rate two of my Shaws (high E and Eb) very good, one (Bb) good, one (C) OK and one (the D, which is dreadfully sharp towards the top of the second octave) poor, but that may just be the luck of the draw with Shaws? Also not impressed by the Clarke (IMHO a low quality whistle) and hope the current ones at least have a more comfortable seam where it sits on your thumbs…
What whistle would you recommend for someone wanting to play at a moderate volume, and a slightly breathier sound?
For your budget (if you want to spend it all!), a Dixon DX006. Otherwise a Dixon Trad (I’ve got the E, Eb and D), maybe one of his polymer models (with the caveat that I haven’t actually tried those) or the Mellow Dog, which is a very nice mid-volume player but sharper on the OXXOOO C natural.
While I sent back the DX006 I tried because it was breathier than the (more expensive) DX203s I was comparing it to, you might actually prefer it given the preferences you’ve outlined. But I’ve found all the mid-range Dixons I’ve tried exceptionally well tuned (bell note maybe a tad flat when cold and/or underblown, but intonation otherwise exemplary) and would say they feel in some ways like superior (more rounded/whistley) Susatos.
I too would recommend one of Jerry’s tweaked whistles. The Mellow Dog and Bluebird are truly great instruments. They will both play C nat just fine using OXXXOO or OXXXOX as will most gen type whistles. Carey Parks whistles are a little more than Jerry’s but well within your price range and the Walkabout can break down to fit in your shirt pocket.
Note than when I say ‘mid-range’ I’m talking ‘mid’ relative to whistles in general rather than other Dixons and might better have said ‘mid-price’. My favourite DX203s are, of course, top-of-the-range Dixons, but I’d rate them (along with the DX204 and DX006) as ‘mid-price’ in a wider context.
I’ll second a vote for Freeman Whistles.
The Blubird is beginning to edge out the Mellowdog as my number one.
Either would serve you very well, the MD is certainly chiffier- though I wouldn’t say
breathier.
Haven’t yet had the pleasure of a Parks(actually waiting for a Parks Walkabout in black pvc with the whistle money burning in my pocket like hot coal), or the Dixon DX203.
I keep thinking that the Bluebird is the whistle worlds greatest bargain when you think of how much you get for your money. And you can save the rest towards your Busman.