It’s quite common to hear whistles in Scottish music today (and I must say, a generation high G sounds GREAT with shuttle pipes). So, I’m wondering if anyone knows when whistles first became common in this genre.
I’m going to be doing a talk on Scottish history (late 17-early 1800’s)in a couple weeks, and I want to keep it as historically accurate as possible, but I don’t think I’m going to be able to master the highland pipes by then. Would I be totally out of line historically to play a couple tunes on the whistle?
On 2002-02-25 16:43, WyoBadger wrote:
Hi, kids. …
… but I don’t think I’m going to be able to master the highland pipes by then. > > Would I be totally out of line historically to play a couple tunes on the whistle?
Tom
Hmm…
A fine Scot,
soon to be director of a marching band …
hasn’t mastered the pipes?
Tom, next you’ll be tellin’ us you can’t make hagus…
Sorry no help with Scottish Whistle Lore; but I couldn’t resist the gentle gibe.
Congratulations Mr. Band.
Enjoy Your Music,
Lee Marsh
[ This Message was edited by: LeeMarsh on 2002-02-25 17:24 ]
L.E. McCullough’s book, The Complete Irish Tinwhistle Tutor, indicates that whistles made of bone and other materials exist which are of great antiquity. Representations of whistles carved in stone are cited in that work which date to the 9th century. I admit that most of what he has to say about tinwhistles has to do with Irish music, but he also writes in more general terms:
“Flageolets enjoyed their peak of popularity in Europe during the Renaissance and Baroque epochs and had a revival in France and England during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.”
England isn’t Scotland, of course, but English influence in Scotland during that period would have been quite strong because of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s debacle at Culloden Moor, in April of 1746.
There are certainly those who can give you a better opinion than mine, but I don’t think you’d be far wrong to play a few tunes on the tinwhistle. The Clarke Original would be my choice, because even though its design dates from 1843 I expect it is closer to whistles of earlier make than just about anything else available today.
Best regards,
Neil Dickey
Edited to correct a spelling error.
[ This Message was edited by: ndjr on 2002-02-26 01:36 ]
Thanks for the info, Neil. I might just get away with it…
And Lee… No, I don’t play the pipes or make haggis (which, in my opinion, tastes like really bad meatloaf–I’d have to be pretty hungry), but I now own a kilt and I’m pretty darn good with trout, venison, and oatmeal…
I think you should make it clear to your audience that you know of no evidence that the whistle or flageolet was played in Scotland during the time period you are discussing, but that lack of evidence is not proof of absence. Still, you might point out, that the modern penny whistle was developed in England only 150 years ago.
You should also only play tunes that you can substantiate were popular in Scotland during the period. This should not be too difficult to do, and you will find that most can be played on a whistle.
It is important, in my opinion anyway, to be historically accurate in these matters wherever possible, and to acknowledge when one cannot be sure and is speculating. Otherwise what you have said will be repeated by some of your audience passed on by others to become “common knowledge”. and then when repeated often enough (and particularly in print!) as “tradition” and ultimately,as “undisputed fact”.
This has happened too often to Scottish cultural history in the past two centuries. Let’s not add, even inadvertently to the muddied waters.
In my research ramblings I have come across many Scottish references to whistles, but the oldest verified document I know of is “The Comlaynt of Scotland” of 1549,in which are enumerated the musical instruments of the time played by Shepherds. Part of it reads…
"The fyrst hed ane drone bagpipe
The nyxt hed ane pipe maid of ane bleddir and of ane reid.(bladder pipe)
The third playit on ane trump.(trumpet)
The feyerd on ane cornepipe.(cornmuse)
The fyft playit on ane pipe maid of ane gait horne.(Gemshorn)
the sext playit on ane recordar
The sevint playit on ane fiddil
The last playit on anequhissil"
There be a BEEF version o’the Haggis mixt wi’ sage stuffin’ that i’ delicious!!!
Nuff sayid!
Thomas Hastay.
[ This Message was edited by: Thomas-Hastay on 2002-02-27 15:33 ]
Would I be totally out of line historically to play a couple tunes on the whistle?
