DrPhill wrote:You can even identify and name the source of my confusion 'the seventh from what?'.
It's bread and butter to me. Literally, but usually face-to-face rather than via typed text.
I never thought of that. I always think of 'all fingers off' as 'the seventh' and the semi-tone lower as the 'flattened seventh'.
That's only really true if you're playing a scale or chord based on the bell note. If you're playing in G major with three-finger key note on that same whistle, your 'flattened seventh' becomes the fourth because you've got a scale that goes G A B C. If you're playing in A minor (or Aeolian or Dorian), it becomes the third because you've got A B C, as does your (unflattened) 'seventh' in A major because you've got A B C#. So that's why the C natural you were asking about is actually the (minor) third. Though, as you've since realised...
Should have stuck to pretending it was a D whistle. Lesson learned.
A simple question 'is it C or C#' would have worked!
Anyway, all is well. My ear picked the correct one. I am making an effort to learn new tunes by ear only - so I am picking easier ones.
While Ben appears to know you in person (?), I've heard the occasional tune you've recorded here and don't doubt your ear any more than he does!