I am new to this site, and message board, and I really don’t play the whistle yet, although I am planning to buy one. I am interested to know if there is much of a whistle presence in scottish music. Yes, I know that the difference is not large and that all forms can be played on whistle, but nonetheless all I have heard about here and elsewhere is Irish music and whistles. Also, please do not confuse me with Wayne the whistling Rodent. He is a Ground Hog, and I (sadly) am not. I do, however, live near Wiarton Ontario, home of the world-famous weather predicting albino ground hog, Willie.
Anyway, Thanks for any answers to my questions,
Wayne The Scot
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Save the plants!! eat a vegetarian!
[ This Message was edited by: Wayne on 2001-11-06 17:34 ]
Welcome to Chiff and Fipple! I have no qualms about playing Scots tunes on the whistle, and even though I am not a scholar, I’ve heard some lovely renditions of some old favorites on the whistle, and played along with a piper on my B flat Generation. Of course, nobody, including me heard much over the pipes, but the whistle blends very nicely with any number of Scots songs. I tend to think that Scots musicians are pretty flexible, considering those are the kids that came up with raggae bagpipes, which may offend a few old traditional pipers, but since we have to import them from Montana, ask me how much I really care.
Thanks for the input. I have every intention of making a whistle part of my instrument collection (or a bunch WhOA) and learning all the scottish classics! I originally found this website while trying to find out what whistle to buy for my mum. She played a mean bagpipe back in the day, and I thought the whisle would be less stressfull. (no need to be in a band, or blow off your ear drums) Anyway, I saw the site, laughed, cried, and I think I’ll be buying at least two whistles this Christmas, one for mum and at least one for me!
Thanx again,
Wayne
Some Scottish bands that I have heard whistles on are Tannahill Weavers and Old Blind Dogs. Both are great. I think Silly Wizard has played them as well but usually as back ground to a ballad. I also remember a rendition of Lord Mayo played on a solo whistle it was backed up by an entire regiment of pipers! Welcome!
There’s no reason not to play Scottish music on the whistle. I don’t play many but I have the Gow collection edited by Richard Carlin. It has lots of tunes playable on the whistle. Also, anything that can be played on the pipes can be played on a whistle. At least the tune can. Some of the piping ornaments are pretty wild.
I live down here in London, ON. We always rely on Willie.
Wayne,
A whistle type instrument is used in many places in the world but the pennywhistle/tin whistle as we commonly know is especially popular throughout the British Isles including Scotland & Ireland. Some others have mentioned some great Scots bands that play whistle such as Boys of the Lough, Silly Wizard, Old Blind Dogs but also check out Capercaille (their early recordings feature recorder (no kidding!!) rather than a whistle, but later ones have whistle.
It is interesting that the Irish in particular have turned traditional music into an art form almost parallel to classical music, with complex ornamentation and variation and the introduction of competitions for musicians - including whistlers. As a “classical” musician I am very much attracted to trad. Irish music for the scope and technical challenge it affords (besides being beautiful, fun and fulfilling)
Mind you, I also play and enjoy Scots, English, Breton, Medieval, Renaissance & Baroque music too! Good luck to you - you are just beginning on a wonderful musical advenure…
Great, you guys! I can attest to the piping ornaments comment. I haden’t really heard my mum play since I was little, and one day she played a few tunes like she had never put it down! the ornamentation she remembered after probably 10+ years of not playing was amazing! I hope she can transfer some of that to whistle and teach me! Heck she can teach me to play chanter too!
Thanks for all the great bands to check out!
More things to do when I need to study. How important can the 4th year of university really be? As long as my trying to play the fiddle and whistle don’t make me fail I’ll be okay!
Robin Williamson from the Incredible String Band, is from Caledonia (scotland) and has tons of whistle on some of his solo work. Most recomended is “Glint at the Kindling” Hard to find but so worth it it’s sick. He also wrote a whistle book, so he’s deep into it. If you can’t find the album anywhere, bug me and I’ll doop a tape for you.
Chears Jack Orion
Glad to have still another fan of Scottish music on the page. I play Scot tunes at least as much as Irish, although I love both. As many have said, many of the great Scottish bands play whistle at least occasionally. The instrument lends itself beautifully to Scottish tunes, although the style might be slightly different…I’ll leave that question to someone who knows something.
BTW, I’ve been sleeping peacefully at night thinking that Wayne, the Whistling Rodent is a hamster. Was I wrong? Should I be consulting field guides, in the throes of a rodent-induced self-esteem crisis? Dale? Anybody?
I was at an all Scottish session once and wanted to play an Irish tune. Tried to pass it off as “the Scottish Washer Wuman” Should hae stayed wi’ “Bonnie Banks and Braes”
Hi Roger the piper, I know a Colorado piper named “Rodger”. What’s your town? If you don’t want it public, email me.
The Scotch gave the Irish the bagpipe, and the English gave them the penny whistle,(or so they say.)and the Americans the potato.
In return, the Irish gave the world poteen, which the canny Caledonians inmproved into a palatable (and profitable!)tipple sent back to Ireland where it was copied and renamed Irish Whiskey. They also send a lot to Scotch settlers to Ulster, but the Irish retaliated by inundating Glasgow.
I think it is fair to assume that any musical instrument called a “penny whistle” would not escape attention benorth the Cheviots for very long!
I am sorry if I caused you much trauma with my comment about Wayne being a Ground Hog. I live on a farm and see these animals quite often. I will defer if Dale (as the creator of C&F) says otherwise, but it looks like my pal Willie (only not white).
I apologise if I have begun a destructive cycle of therapy and clinical depression, please don’t bill me for the sessions with the psychiatrist.
Thanks for the great website of Scottish tunes I will definitely give it a go both on the fiddle and the whistle!
-edit- just wondering what should I make of the key signatures, etc, if the whistle is built in a certain key- do I just ignore it or do I need to do any transposing?
Cheers!
Wayne
[ This Message was edited by: Wayne on 2001-11-07 00:04 ]
On 2001-11-06 22:44, Mack.Hoover wrote:
[snip]
Hi Roger the piper, I know a Colorado piper named “Rodger”. What’s your town? If you don’t want it public, email me.
Mack
I’m live in Boulder. I think your thinking of the West slope Rodger. They spell it with a “D” (Low D?) over there.
Sorry to tell you, Wayne, but I’m pretty sure your groundhog pal Wiarton Willie passed away a couple years ago, and all there is now in Wiarton is a large statue of Willie next to the beach, and of course Willie books and memorabilia etc. I’ve not yet seen any whistle or pipe played up in the Bruce Peninsula but would welcome any locations you might know about.
I originally found this website while trying to find out what whistle to buy for my mum. She played a mean bagpipe back in the day, and I thought the whisle would be less stressfull. (no need to be in a band, or blow off your ear drums) Anyway, I saw the site, laughed, cried, and I think I’ll be buying at least two whistles this Christmas, one for mum and at least one for me!