What are your thoughts as the Whistle as a solo instrument?
I have often used whistle as a solo instrument. Indeed, since Waxies Dargle broke up in 1999, the few times I’ve appeared in public since then have been solo whistle. But it’s not something you can do for very long, just a few songs, before the audience gets restless. I’ve been trying to put a “solo act” together (not working at it too hard of late because of other commitments), and feel it needs a lot of variety – various types of tunes, various tune origins (maybe a Swedish tune here, a Cajun tune there, not all Irish or Scots – something to keep the interest up). But for a few tunes as a guest spot (I did a live radio broadcast at Christmas time, playing a Shetland Christmas medley – you can guess which tunes! – and an Irish jig). It was novel enough (the audience wasn’t used to seeing a solo whistle-player) and short enough to keep the audience amused. I think a longer “act” is possible, but it would have to be well thought out. At the end of Waxies Dargle, we were down to whistle and piano, and that was bare bones enough!
Interesting question.
Tom Bingham
tomandceil@bigsplat.net
I think that the whistle is a solo instrument.
It’s definitely at its best played alone, or with very light accompaniment.
Because it is pitched an octave higher than the other traditional instruments, it’s hard to get it to blend happily with them. The slightest tuning discrepancy sticks out like a sore thumb, the bottom end gets lost, the high end is too prominent…
It is only recently that Traditional Irish music was played by more than one instrument at a time. All the trad music has been passed down with no complex arrangements, harmonies or chords becasue that is how it was played.
Joe
Actually, the two places I play are for a group of 5 female singers (along with playing other instruments) and solos for church. I usually use tracks, either ones I’ve put together in my MIDI studio, or pre-recorded ones. And, a couple of weddings, either with tracks for prelude or with my wife on synth. This summer, I’m doing an outdoor wedding with a guitarist - can’t wait!
Cal
I think the pennywhistle is an excellent solo instrument, and I agree that if you play a longer program variety is necessary to keep the audience’s interest up. My repertoire includes a little of everything from John Denver, Summertime, hymns and patriotic songs through slow airs and some Irish dance tunes. This variety keeps my OWN interest up, too. IMO, the whistle is one of the best solo instruments, although I sure wish I knew a guitarist to accompany me once in a while.
On 2002-04-26 11:24, jmssmh wrote:
It is only recently that Traditional Irish music was played by more than one instrument at a time. All the trad music has been passed down with no complex arrangements, harmonies or chords becasue that is how it was played.
I read an article in Fintan Vallely’s book which said essentially this, and further indicated that the practice of playing in groups and using harmony is apparently a re-import into Ireland from North America, particularly the U.S.