As a new, yet serious whistle player, I now have whistles in the key of “D” and “C”. What keys should I get next and in what order?
Any pro’s on the board who could give advice?
Maybe Bb, or one of the mid range whistles like G and A if you’re not venturing into low whistling yet.
I’m puzzled by your request as you have previously offered advice on just about everything and much has been discussed of late on this topic.Generation offer a wide range of keys,the lowest being B flat and the highest G so I would try these and the F is also nice.Hope this helps. Mike
I wouldn’t deem myself a pro (maybe collegiate 
) but if you are interested in playing at church I would definately consider the low F, Bb, and Eb (either high or low) in that order. This will allow you to play in 1,2,3 or 4 flats pretty easily, which many hymns are written in. As for Irish music and session playing (of which I am maybe playing t-ball), I’ll let the pro’s handle that.
Peace,
Erik
[ This Message was edited by: ErikT on 2001-09-05 09:19 ]
For Irish music I’d recommend Bb and (low)A.
Bb is great for songs and A for many fiddle tunes. There are many that cannot be played with a D whistle.
Arto
Eldarion, Mike.R, ErikT, and Arto:
Thanks for the advice. I may just go for a “Bb” next, then an “F”, then a low “D” then a “G”, then an “Eb”. How is that for a gameplan? Oh, if Steve Powers tunes in, I will be getting a bodhran drum as well.
Mike.R, why should you be puzzled by my request? Like you, I am happy to offer help when I can give it,and ask for advice from knowledgeable people when I need help. You know––“always a willing learner, always a willing sharer.”
Although my music experience for the past thirty-five years has been as a keyboardist, songwriter, producer and advertising jingle writer, I have been playing and writing music for Irish whistle for only about a year now in preparation for a new production and CD project.
Once again, thanks for the advice. I do appreciate it.
Cinead
Did someone mention Bodhrans???
There’s a nice new line in Paddy Clancy (from Ballingarry, Co. Limerick) handmade tuneables, I’ve heard about - as well as many others, on the market!
Steve
[ This Message was edited by: StevePower on 2001-09-05 17:22 ]
I’m still trying to figure out your real identity! I realize almost everyone else probably has by now, but I’m not as up to date on current celebrities. My kids, job, house, etc. take up most of my non-whistling time. There isn’t much whistling time either, (although people who listen to me play wish there was even less).
When I first tried to play a C whistle, after playing (at) a D for some time, I was surprised to see how much further apart the holes are. The increased distance was enough to make me add even more ‘unintentional ornamentations’ to tunes.
I imagine that would not be nearly as much of an issue for you, since you have extensive keyboard experience and are used to stretching out your fingers.
Have a great day!
[ This Message was edited by: paulsdad on 2001-09-05 17:27 ]
Bodhran!! Did you say B-O-D-H-R-A-N ! As in percussion not wind?
Well there might be a site that might interest you. It’s in Canada ( and with the exchange rate most favourably to US buyers) is Fred Halpin’s Tunable Bodhrans.
Brian Lee just got a 19" from someone else and has fallen in love with it. I have owned and played Fred’s 19" for six years now in any kind of climatic upheaval, from the zero percipation to 99% humidity and the bodhran has stayed in tune thoughout.
I just purchased a 26" bodhran from Fred and it is absolutely gorgeous. Striking it without any pressure from the left hand, it sounds like far off rolling thunder.
Fred Halpin’s site is:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/halpin/
Mark
Cinead,
You MUST have a Bb. It is the best sounding key in my opinion.
…then a Low F.
Low Fs are definitely under rated.
S.
Mark, 26’’ bodhran!!!
You don’t mean lambeg drum, do you?
Arto
Cinead,
Can you tell us a bit about your project? A few years ago Michael Card did a wonderful CD entitled “Starkindler” that used Irish music as the primary vehicle. I’ve enjoyed it. I don’t know whether he played his own whistle track on that CD but rumor has it that he plays the whistle too.
Anyway, I’m just wondering if you’re working on a similar project because I’m always looking for music written from a Christian perspective but with the Irish venacular (and I know several others on the board that would be interested as well).
Peace,
Erik
[ This Message was edited by: ErikT on 2001-09-06 13:15 ]
include me in Erik’s sentiment.
I haven’t an inkling about Cinead’s identity, but I’d like to be in on a good thing.
Mack
Steve:
Yes, I said bodhran. It will not be long my friend. I am going to send you a private e-mail sometime today. I have a few questions that I believe you could answer.
Paulsdad:
You really got me laughing. I have identified myself on my first thread. Don’t get hung up on the celebrity thing. Why do you realize that each person on this web is somewhat of a celebrity? At last check the memberlist now totals 367, and it is growing steadily. What is more, this is literally a world-wide audience.
Most preachers only have congregations of 100 or less. Most bands play to 100 or less. That makes you 3 to 4 times more popular.
About that stretch on a C whistle, ditto! I almost pulled a ring finger muscle trying to find the bottom hole the first time. You have a great day as well.
MarkB: Thanks for the info on bodhrans. Tell me about your playing experience.
Otter: What kind of Bb and low F do you have?
ErikT and Mack.Hoover:
I’m putting together an international touring production for general audiences, not just Christian, involving some big names in Celtic/Irish/Scottish music and dance from around the globe. As a Christian, and the producer, my priorities are to produce a show of the highest level of musical and theatrical entertainment and to also produce something the whole family can watch and enjoy without being offended.
We have a ton of exciting innovative ideas packed into the show that, we believe, will take the Gaelic entertainment wave to a new level.
Our business and creative teams are busy working, writing, building, recruiting, and booking. We are in the middle of raising the the necessary venture capital-$6 million to be exact, and also gathering information on top or promising Celtic/Irish/Scottish musicians.
Ultimately, our goal is to expand into seven touring troupes, each including a live 8-10 piece band and 8 vocalists.
You can bet the Irish whistle will have a prominant roll in many of the songs. Oh, and bodhrans too, Steve. …and fiddles, and Uilleann pipes and Scottish bagpipes, and flutes, and guitars and keyboards, and bouzoukis, accordians, concertinas, banjos, mandolas, and whatever else we want to throw in…maybe even a lambeg Arto…(Eight instruments at a time, though! that’s the limit.)
We will also be using an accompanying soundtrack on some of the more orchestral numbers. this is set to be recorded by a fabulous and acclaimed symphony orchestra from the Southern Hemisphere. (I wish I could say, but I can not at present.)
As the project takes shape, I will be happy to post information for those who want to hear about it. Our marketing team will also post news announcements and touring information on major web sites devoted to all things Irish, Celtic and Scottish.
All the best,
Cinead
(Ken Wood)
[ This Message was edited by: Cinead on 2001-09-06 16:00 ]
Back to the “which key should I get next”
question. I would also like another whistle
but I counted up the songs I play at a
session…around 75 of them and they all use the D whistle except one that has a couple
of Flats in it.
The band I am in plays about 75 also. I use my D on all but 10 of those, that I use the
C on. I haven’t run across anything that
would require anything else yet. I guess
my boss just picks the easiest things to play.
What are the rest of you finding to play all those other whistles on and why? They are
probably songs that are a few hundred years old…why haven’t they been transposed for
the normal D whistle yet?
So if I DID want to play something with a Flat or two in it, is the B Flat the one to get?
Cinead - Thanks for the info. Sounds like you’ve been busy. I hope that it goes well for you. Do keep us posted, I’d enjoy seeing it develop.
Mack, looks like you and I are going to have to do that album.
Peace,
Erik
ErikT:
Whoever plays Irish whistle on Michael Card’s album did a great job. Have you ever heard the album called “Revival in Belfast?” (HosannaMusic!) or its follow up by the same lead singer? ‘Revival’ is powerful and I have heard others say the follow up is great too.
I have written some Irish worship songs that have yet to be recorded. My home church, Victor Christian Center in Oklahoma City, sings them and they should be recording a new CD sometime next spring with the songs on it. Band member changes and a massive growth spurt have delayed its production.
The church broadcasts its Wednesday and Sunday services on the Web at http://www.gospelmedia.com. I’m not sure if the worship service was archived from yesterday September 5, but if it was, the last song “How Great is Your Love for Me” is one of them.
Cheers,
Ken
PS Make sure you go to the Victory Christian Center in Oklahoma City, where Mark and Jennifer Crow are the pastors.
On 2001-09-06 16:06, lollycross wrote:
What are the rest of you finding to play all those other whistles on and why?
Lollycross,
some fiddlers tune their instrument in Eb (at times to keep accordeon players out - so I’ve been told).
But also if you want to play along with CD’s that are played in different keys, you’re out of luck. And there are tons of those.
Also some tunes sound better in other keys tan D if you are playing solo. It just gives you flexibility.
I will let others more qualified talk about the “flats” factor
S.