Micho, like just about everybody else, was constantly scheming trying to get other, better, different instruments. I don't know where the flute came from, he used to play concert pitch flutes, I have always assumed he picked up the e flat one at a later age because they are a bit easier to play, he may have actually told me that but it may also be a wild guess on my part, it's a while ago.
Same for whistles, he used to play Generation although in later years he always carried an Oak he picked up touring the US. It was very much whatever took his fancy, I have one particular C whistle he took a fancy to, he borrowed on several occasions to play cocnerts during Willie Clancy weeks during the 80s [in fact he played during the second half of the concert from which the clips were taken, well he had to as my pipes are in C].
I also had a nice French made whistle fro mthe late 19th century which I picked up in an antique shop [for less than a fiver], in C sharp but which was probably the old concert pitch. He was at me relentlessly until he managed to have it off me, I always regretted giving in but once he wanted something he could be quite persistent, especially where whistles were concerned.
I don't know if he treated them in any way to improve them.
These transcription will go up on Steve's page with a higher resolution, Teri is doing great work putting hem up on her page while Steve is away. I don't mind giving the ABCs at some point.
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