I have three whistles which I play regularly: a Generation green top D, an Ó Briain Improved D, and a Burke Al Pro D. Of course, the Burke is far superior to the others in beauty and construction, and it has enough volume to make it the best choice for playing in a group. However, they’re all fun to play, and each one has unique response characteristics and tone. I honestly can’t say that I prefer to play any one of them more than the others. However, it’s nice not to be restricted to cheap whistles only. Life just wouldn’t be the same without my Burke.
I currently have in my house D whistles by Oak (mine) and O’Riordan (on loan from a friend). I must say, I really, REALLY love the O’Riordan, but there are some nights I just go for the Oak. Granted, part of that is simplicity – I can just pick it up and put it down whenever I want, as opposed to the O’Riordan (get it out, put it together, play it, take it apart, swab it out, put it away). But sometimes that’s just the sound I prefer, or the feel I’m in the mood for. They are very different instruments, and I love them both, but I could certainly see someone preferring one over the other. And either one is a legitimate choice.
Steven
Whitmores,
Care to tell us which whistles you tried that convinced you that “High End” whistles aren’t all that? Without knowing exactly what you played, it’s hard to put your comments in context.
Loren
Until I get Dr. Blackhawk, the tweak specialist, over to diagnose/operate on my old Feadogs and Gens, I will continue on the course that began the day I got my Burke: thats the day i stopped playing cheap whistles, period. And I don;t miss the intonation problems, the raspiness, etc. I have no sentiment especially since rolls and octave jumps are a lot easier on the Burke.
The first day I performed in public with the Burke nearly brought tears to my eyes because it sounded so sweet in a big room. I’m getting drowned out now in this new pub band (leading to vengeful thots about gettin a Susato and SHOWING THEM) but whenever I practice at home, I am gratified by the sweetness of the better whistle. And I am intrigued by the references to other premium metal whistles (wood still isn’t the direction I want to go) and would like to try a Copeland for example.
As somebody said, this will go round and round.
All said, though, I really did like number four of one of the earliest thread posts. It WOULD be cool to be able to occassionally give away something that would bring joy to someone else that you had improved. Sorta like volunteer work!!
It seems every couple of months this topic re-emerges with the same outcome: there is no resolution. The issue being compared time and again is not whistles, but preferences. And THAT will never be settled, made generic, or in agreement across the board for every single player. People swear by their whistle of choice based upon the qualities they seek in the instrument. Neither group will sway the other (as it should be) and each is steadfast in their beliefs.
Nick said, “The Rose is SO much better to feel, to play, to look at (less important) and to listen to..” Obviously, that statement is true for him, but not for everyone. If he’s found a whistle that he thoroughly enjoys, that’s great. I’m honestly happy for him because if you’re comfortable with and love your instrument, you’re going to play more. I wouldn’t trade my Generation or inexpensive homemade hybrids for a semi-truck full of his Roses. By the same token he wouldn’t do the trade in reverse. We simply have different tastes. I’m not talking about craftsmanship; there’s no debate about quality regarding high-enders, or the amount of dollars spent, but the sound.
The whole idea that this turns into a battle of which is the best whistle is ridiculously funny to me. That’s like telling someone why, how and what they must prefer, period. Play whatever makes you happy. Instead of each camp shaking their heads and waiving their fists at the thought of what the other prefers: those that believe inexpensive is the way to go can insert their whistle of choice into every orifice and toot to their heart’s content while the expensive whistle players do the same. Then we’ll all be playing the damn tunes.
T
[ This Message was edited by: teri-k on 2002-10-30 17:01 ]
…can insert their whistle of choice into every orifice and toot to their heart’s content while the expensive whistle players do the same.
Will that be a trick or treat?
One thing I feel I have to mention…someone in this thread said that “whistles started out as ‘cheapies’.” That’s not entirely true. While Mr. Clarke may have kicked off something of a whistle revival with rolled-tin half-penny whistles, whistles have been around as instruments for a very, very long time (bone whistles have been found dating from the Iron Age, and we know from records that Irish Bards played the “feadan” as well as the harp). Before mass production became economically practical, ALL whistles were handmade, and some of them were undoubtedly very finely crafted instruments indeed.
As far as the Irish learning on ‘cheapies’, I imagine this is for the same reason that American schoolkids learn to play on cheap plastic Yamaha recorders, rather than on pricey, handmade, professionally voiced rosewood or ebony instruments. They learn to play on them because they ARE cheap, and because they’re generally quite acceptable, not because they’re somehow superior.
Bottom line, we all play what we like to hear, and some will always be happiest with the sound of a $3 Meg or a $7 Generation, while others will relish the sound of an Overton, Sindt or Chieftain, or some other handcrafted whistle. That’s one of the beauties of music (and particularly folk music)…what you and your listeners like is what’s “right” and “best,” not what one school of thought or another tries to tell you is “right” or “best,” or even “most traditional.”
Redwolf
TeriK said:
those that believe inexpensive is the way to go can insert their whistle of choice into every orifice and toot to their heart’s content while the expensive whistle players do the same
Remind me to never buy a used whistle from TeriK 
John Mac
On 2002-10-30 17:08, jtbishop wrote:
…can insert their whistle of choice into every orifice and toot to their heart’s content while the expensive whistle players do the same.
Will that be a trick or treat?
Again, I suppose it depends on your personal preference 
T
On 2002-10-30 13:17, nickt wrote:
BTW, whoever said it - yes, the Irish learn on cheapies, but when they get the chance they buy Roses, et al.
I’ve spent a great deal of time in pubs (in Ireland) listening to music, and I’ve never seen an Irish musician with a Rose. Or a Copeland. Or a Burke. Or anything more expensive than a Dixon tunable D.
Again, I suppose it depends on your personal preference >
T
Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
Jef
I’ve found the best results are when I play with my mouth, preferences aside. (Better air control.)
Tony
IMHO (worth all of 2 new pence), cheapies make the best high whistles but spend the money on low ones.
Ian
On 2002-10-30 16:59, Teri-K wrote:
It seems every couple of months this topic re-emerges with the same outcome: there is no resolution. The issue being compared time and again is not whistles, but preferences. And THAT will never be settled, made generic, or in agreement across the board for every single player.
Absolutely. And I doubt anyone here is naive enough to think we’re going to change anyone’s mind. The fun of all this is that we’re able to have a discussion with other folks who also love playing Irish music on whistles. I don’t care who loves what, I just enjoy the discussion. We’re all sitting around the cyber pickel barrel having a talk with our cyber friends. There’s no winner or loser in these debates, just folks having fun, talking about what they love.
And just to be sure: I didn’t use the word best or imply same. Just the .02 worth for yer daily Weekender.
Sounds like B.S. to argue that this is a cyclical pointless discussion, but way back in Jan-Feb, I read everything I could find by Forum folk about Burkes/etc and narrowed my choices down to Burke or Sindt. I found what worked for me in this way.
So even if its repetitious, some may be listening and learning…
On 2002-10-30 18:38, The Weekenders wrote:
…Just the .02 worth for yer daily Weekender.
Quite a good day, too, for a “lurker”.
On 2002-10-30 17:18, Redwolf wrote:
One thing I feel I have to mention…someone in this thread said that “whistles started out as ‘cheapies’.” That’s not entirely true. While Mr. Clarke may have kicked off something of a whistle revival with rolled-tin half-penny whistles, whistles have been around as instruments for a very, very long time (bone whistles have been found dating from the Iron Age, and we know from records that Irish Bards played the “feadan” as well as the harp). Before mass production became economically practical, ALL whistles were handmade, and some of them were undoubtedly very finely crafted instruments indeed.
Hi Redwolf,
I was specifically speaking of the tin whistle as we know it not any neolithic bone things Woodwinds are some of the oldest instruments known so every culture in the world has ancient types so I wouldn’t say that a neanderthal playing a bone flute would be playing Raglan Road
Take care,
-Jim
“By 1800 English flageolet-makers were using an adaptation of recorder fingering, and, in a sense, the modern tinwhistle can be considered a simplified version of the recorder.” --L.E. McCullough, “The Complete Irish Tinwhistle Tutor,” page 8
Thus the modern whistle would trace back to the flageolet for its fipple and the recorder (and the traverso, as well) for its fingering system. This seems valid, as the recorder was a very popular instrument, and it would have been a boon to make an instrument that would appeal to both recorder players and flageolet players.
Best,
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
On 2002-10-30 20:40, peeplj wrote:
…This seems valid, as the recorder was a very popular instrument, and it would have been a boon to make an instrument that would appeal to both recorder players and flageolet players.
“popular”? Popular in the sense of “played by the people” or in the sense of “widely used by perucked musicians on feudal payrolls, in splendid parties away from the smelly mob”?
–quote–
“popular”? Popular in the sense of “played by the people” or in the sense of “widely used by perucked musicians on feudal payrolls, in splendid parties away from the smelly mob”?
–endquote–
Well, there is evidence for both–check out Sam Pepys’ diary, for instance, in which he refers to recorders.
Remember, too, the smelly mob didn’t have the money on the whole to buy many new instruments, so if you were a maker, those feudal payrolls probably looked pretty darned good to you back then.
Best,
–James
http://www.flutesite.com