Xmas gift recommendations...?

Whistle
1

I am thinking of buying a whistle for whistle-playing friend of mine (piper, actually, who needs a new whistle).

Care to recommend a good for under $30? Metal or plastic is ok. I don’t play whistle so I’m kind of clueless.

Thanks…

2

Hi Jack -

If you can find out what whistles he has, or his favorite brand, it would help us make a recommendation.

3

Hi Jack -

If you can find out what whistles he has, or his favorite brand, it would help us make a recommendation.

I think he has a cheap Dixon (?). He has spoke of getting “a good inexpensive” whistle, but just hasn’t taken the gumption. With the little speaks we’ve had on the subject, he has said he likes plastic or metal but just hasn’t devoted that much time to it.

What about Susato? I recall reading about those somewhere as being good and about $20 or so…

4

Susato Kildare VSB

5

I’d suggest a brass O’Briain Improved Feadog from http://www.shannaquay.com - anyone would be happy to get one of those for Christmas. :slight_smile: They are Euro33 (about $33) including shipping, and sometimes you get a free whistle with each order - November was a silver Meg but I don’t know if that’s been extended.

Hope your friend doesn’t currently know about Chiff and Fipple. Be sure to rectify that after Christmas!

Edited for spelling.

[ This Message was edited by: avanutria on 2002-12-04 13:05 ]

6

Yes, Ava is right! The Improved Feadog is the way to go, absolute best bang for the buck and it won’t hurt your wallet.

7

The only disadvantage of the Ó Briain Improved is that it’s too quiet for playing in a group.

8

I third (or fourth) the recommendation of the O Briain “improved.” It’s really a lovely whistle. Yes, it is a bit on the quiet side, but if he already has a Dixon, he probably doesn’t need another session whistle (yet!).

Redwolf

9

Jack,

If you’re not sure about the whistle, you might want to consider a book-cd set. Irelands](http://www.thewhistleshop.com/catalog/tutorials/irishmusicsongbooks/slowairs/slowairs.htm%3EIrelands) 110 Best Slow Airs Book and CD is available for under $40 at The Whistle Shop. The CD has a track for each and every one of the 110 airs. The mix of tunes has a number of tracks with a piper, whistle, flute, or fiddle playing the lead.

Another option would be Lunasa’s OtherWorld CD and their new Book available at http://www.lunasa.ie

10

I, too, will go with the O’Briain improved. Forget Susatos, you need a strong will to handle them.

~Larry