Like most whistle players, I began with your basic soprano D's, added a C and a Low D.
So my question to all you more experienced players and makers is, what are your favorite non-D keys, and what do you play on them? Also, consequently, what would you consider absolutely essential non-D whistles to have in one's collection?
(Hoping for lots of juicey debate...)
-Bob
What are your favorite whistle keys?
- raindog1970
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Leave it to me to be the weird one... I find a B natural to be a necessity, even though I rarely play anything in the key of B.
Maybe it's just my taste in music, but I like several songs the key of E.
My hands are too small to play a low E, but I haven't yet ran across a song I wanted to play that actually required one.
A High E has never been a necessity either... everything I want to play seems to fall somewhere in between high E and low E.
By using half-hole fingering to flatten the A# down to an A, I can play an E scale very nicely on a B natural whistle... it's just like playing in G on a D whistle.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: raindog1970 on 2001-07-14 10:14 ]</font>
Maybe it's just my taste in music, but I like several songs the key of E.
My hands are too small to play a low E, but I haven't yet ran across a song I wanted to play that actually required one.
A High E has never been a necessity either... everything I want to play seems to fall somewhere in between high E and low E.
By using half-hole fingering to flatten the A# down to an A, I can play an E scale very nicely on a B natural whistle... it's just like playing in G on a D whistle.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: raindog1970 on 2001-07-14 10:14 ]</font>
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You aren't the only weird one, Raindog
I own 4 different pakistani-type whistles in B that I like using with some slow airs. I don't know anything about pakistani music, but evidently B natural is a common key for their whistles, since it seems that everyone I run across in import/knick-knack stores is in B.
However, in terms of favorites, I usually turn to whistles in these keys (in this order): D, low D, Bb, A, B. I have a couple low G's, and Generations in every key they make, but these are the keys that I can make work with my repertoire. I'm pretty sure that the only song I've ever learned that I think sounds good played on a C whistle is Planxty Dale.
I own 4 different pakistani-type whistles in B that I like using with some slow airs. I don't know anything about pakistani music, but evidently B natural is a common key for their whistles, since it seems that everyone I run across in import/knick-knack stores is in B.
However, in terms of favorites, I usually turn to whistles in these keys (in this order): D, low D, Bb, A, B. I have a couple low G's, and Generations in every key they make, but these are the keys that I can make work with my repertoire. I'm pretty sure that the only song I've ever learned that I think sounds good played on a C whistle is Planxty Dale.
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I tend to play my C more than my High D, but then I am not an Irish Trad fanatic. I find myself playing my F most of the time, but have felt a serious emptiness in my life lately and suspect it is a lack of G(low) whistle.
Thom has ordered a Tony Dixon alto flute head for me. I intend to use it on my F, but now I am kicking myself for not odering a G body as well. Thom, if you are out there, you can expect another call from me soon.....
Blaine
Thom has ordered a Tony Dixon alto flute head for me. I intend to use it on my F, but now I am kicking myself for not odering a G body as well. Thom, if you are out there, you can expect another call from me soon.....
Blaine
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- rich
- i see what you did there
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D, of course. But if I'm not playing with someone who it'll frustrate, I like getting out the Eb, since it cuts through just that extra little bit (and because it's a Good Generation), and the Bb (another Generation, although I want a Shaw) because the range is nice for airs, and the sound more appropriate than that which my Howard low D produces. (I love the Howard. It's just unlike any other low D in the world, which is fine, because I'll play a flute if I want a flute-ish sound.)
I just grabbed a Generation high G the other day -- what I'm now calling my "portable whistle" -- and it's fun if impractical.
Keys I don't see myself buying a whistle for anytime soon: F. A. B. E.
<ul>-Rich</ul>
I just grabbed a Generation high G the other day -- what I'm now calling my "portable whistle" -- and it's fun if impractical.
Keys I don't see myself buying a whistle for anytime soon: F. A. B. E.
<ul>-Rich</ul>