Polara Pat wrote:
I'm seeing a lot of fairly similar responses which makes me feel like I'm on the right track. If I knew even one person in my town that played the whistle, then I would probably...annoy the crap out of them. So it looks like you folks are my only hope. So sorry. Alright, put in the time, learn the rhythm and keep it simple. I started trying figure out ornamentation for a little while just to know the mechanics of it but I've almost completely eliminated them in my wee repertoire until my skill and confidence improve.
Another trend that I have noticed with new players is that they get too a certain stage and then either seem to burn out or reach maximum learning saturation or at least their learning curve hits a bit of a wall. I'm hoping that doesn't happen to me since I'm a mega keener.
I think that the improvements are very rapid, initially, as you learn how to cover holes and move your fingers, but the curve definitely begins to level off once you get beyond the basics. I'd say I'm hundred times better than I was on day one, four times as good as I was at a month, and two to three times as good as I was at a year. I'm better than I was in 2014, but not miles better. The farther you advance, the harder you have to work for far less noticeable gains.
If you're doing it right, you rough out your skill set in the first year or so, and then it comes down to details and speed and execution. Getting your rhythm a bit better. Getting your ornamentation a little more precise. Gaining speed without sacrificing accuracy. Learning how to be intentional about your breathing and using it skillfully. Figuring out how to go beyond simple regurgitation and recitation of tunes but imbuing them with new life in your own interpretation. It's what separates the pros from the enthusiasts.
You sprint to maybe 50% of your potential, then stroll to 65%, then shuffle to 75%, then crawl to 80%, then drag yourself to 85%, then spend the rest of your life inching toward 90%.
If you are interested in pestering a real whistle player, there are several excellent teachers who offer Skype lessons. A friend of mine in San Antonio is learning flute from Kevin Crawford of Lunasa fame via Skype, so geography needn't be a hard barrier (although money might be).
P.S. - As an amateur whistle player myself, I reserve the right to be completely wrong about all of the above. These are just my personal feelings and observations on the topic. There are others on this forum with far more experience and skill than I have accumulated over the last few years.
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Nathaniel James Dowell
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http://www.nathanieldowell.com