Freeman Tweaked A whistle update
Freeman Tweaked A whistle update
I can now play it without too many squeaks and hoots. It's taken about a month or more to get used to the finger spread and blowing requirements, and if I go back to a D whistle, I just about have to start all over again. But it's a fun whistle none the less.
Just in case anyone was interested.
With best regards.
Pfreddee(Stephen)
Just in case anyone was interested.
With best regards.
Pfreddee(Stephen)
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Re: Freeman Tweaked A whistle update
The Freeman A really is a fine whistle. I've had one for a year and ordered another last week. It's due to be delivered any day. I've acquired the habit of keeping two each of Jerry's whistles because they are so affordable and sound so good. I know what you mean about switching keys and the finger spread issues. I don't play the low D, but when I switch suddenly form Bb to A, my fingers get confused at first, but there is no problem switching from G to Bb or from G to A. No idea why.
- Chifmunk
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Re: Freeman Tweaked A whistle update
I got a second Blackbird high D for that very reason! Just to be sure and have a spare in case of loss or damage to one. That's how much i like it!Tyler DelGregg wrote:I've acquired the habit of keeping two each of Jerry's whistles because they are so affordable and sound so good.
I have a Freeman A in brass, and yeah it sounds just ducky. I like the festive red top- makes me think of Woody Woodpecker. =8-D
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Re: Freeman Tweaked A whistle update
Chifmunk, I actually have three Blackbirds for the same reason! The redtops certainly are bright and cheerful.
- brewerpaul
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Re: Freeman Tweaked A whistle update
Keep at it, and switching back and forth between whistle keys will become easy.
- Steve Bliven
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Re: Freeman Tweaked A whistle update
While my Blackbird has a black head... Must be an antique.Tyler DelGregg wrote:Chifmunk, I actually have three Blackbirds for the same reason! The redtops certainly are bright and cheerful.
Best wishes,
Steve
Live your life so that, if it was a book, Florida would ban it.
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and a mountain dulcimer social site at: fotmd.com - Location: Germantown, NY
Re: Freeman Tweaked A whistle update
It was the Freeman A whistle we were talking about that has the red top.
The Blackbirds come only in Eb, D, and C.
The Blackbirds come only in Eb, D, and C.
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Re: Freeman Tweaked A whistle update
Oh yes, I was referring to my Freeman A and G, my Redtops. I do, however, have two Blackbirds in C and one of them has a green mouthpiece. The green sounds a little bit more mellow than the black top.
I like them both equally.
But back to my original post about the Bluebird.... I wish Jerry would bring back the Bluebird with the original playing characteristics, perhaps under a limited run at a price worth the extra work. I'd sign up in advance for it.
I like them both equally.
But back to my original post about the Bluebird.... I wish Jerry would bring back the Bluebird with the original playing characteristics, perhaps under a limited run at a price worth the extra work. I'd sign up in advance for it.
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Re: Freeman Tweaked A whistle update
Late to the party here, what tweaking has been done?
You can play beautiful music on an ugly flute
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Re: Freeman Tweaked A whistle update
For one thing, Generation never made A whistles.AuLoS303 wrote:Late to the party here, what tweaking has been done?
So Jerry Freeman takes a Generation Bb head, and puts it on an A body he makes. It makes for a very sweet-playing A whistle. He also makes Generation "mezzo" G whistles, an octave below the tiny Generation high G whistle.
All of Jerry's whistles are "tweaked" in that he makes modifications to the heads. I have some Freeman Generations, and he has glued a tiny thing on the underside of the blade which has the effect of re-positioning the blade. His whistles have both a stronger tone, and are much better in tune, than the way the Generations come from the factory.
I have no idea how he makes those whistles play so perfectly in tune. It's amazing. It's one thing to get the octaves right. But on many whistles once you get the octaves right, still either Bottom D or Middle D is off a tad. But not with Jerry's, every note is bang-on.
For me, doing Studio work, that's paramount.
(NB I made a Generation A for myself many years ago, so the idea itself of a Generation A isn't new.)
Richard Cook
c1980 Quinn uilleann pipes
1945 Starck Highland pipes
Goldie Low D whistle
c1980 Quinn uilleann pipes
1945 Starck Highland pipes
Goldie Low D whistle
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I also run a banjo/mando/fiddle shirt site at https://harmonias.com/
and a mountain dulcimer social site at: fotmd.com - Location: Germantown, NY
Re: Freeman Tweaked A whistle update
I think that's why when you buy a Freeman A or low G whistle, it has the Freeman sticker on the tube, but not the generation sticker... but if you buy Jerry's Bb Generation, it has both the Generation sticker and Jerry's sticker on the tube.pancelticpiper wrote: For one thing, Generation never made A whistles.
So Jerry Freeman takes a Generation Bb head, and puts it on an A body he makes. It makes for a very sweet-playing A whistle. He also makes Generation "mezzo" G whistles, an octave below the tiny Generation high G whistle.
I think the plastic heads he uses for his Blackbirds (Eb, D, C) come from Feadog whistles, so they come in black or sometimes dark green.
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Re: Freeman Tweaked A whistle update
If you start playing Low D then, other keys(alto & high D)seems really small in size. I was working on my Jerry Freeman Low A (alto)Gen red-top and what a great 2nd octave this whistle has! The Low A bell note is on the soft side volume wise tho.... NOTE: After doing some cleaning and polishing the Bell note(low A)came back and I now have my louder A whistle back. Ya gotta clean these things once in a while....ya knowTyler DelGregg wrote:The Freeman A really is a fine whistle. I've had one for a year and ordered another last week. It's due to be delivered any day. I've acquired the habit of keeping two each of Jerry's whistles because they are so affordable and sound so good. I know what you mean about switching keys and the finger spread issues. I don't play the low D, but when I switch suddenly form Bb to A, my fingers get confused at first, but there is no problem switching from G to Bb or from G to A. No idea why.