I am a (classical-ish) flute amateur who found this forum when I was shopping for a whistle. My search turned up some useful threads about what whistles are recommended for beginners. Thanks. I’m not gonna tell you which one I decided to buy in case it starts a civil war. I also saw the warnings about Whistle Obsessive Acquisition Disorder. I figured that could never happen to me though. I was just getting one whistle, just for fun.
Recently I noticed that for at least the past month, I haven’t played my flute once, just my whistle. So I got my flute out and… it is so heavy to hold up. And… the key mechanisms seem so clunky.
Then I looked down at my desk and saw my whistle wishlist which has seven whistles and a couple of plastic Irish flutes “just to think about.” I’ve been lurking on the forum and making notes when I see more than one person really likes a particular whistle…
Sigh.
You people did this to me!
So, any advice on finding some local kindred spirits to play with? I live in rodeo country, and I don’t think there is an Irish pub within an hour’s drive in any direction. You think the “old time” musicians around here would welcome a tin whistler?
Hi Jaime! I didn’t know the previous whistle choice civil war stopped. We got a few going on here. The sheet music/oral tradition war and the Who is really ITM? war get all the big publicity. Then there are those personal assassination plots, they’re fun.
Welcome to C&F, Jamie. The Old Time group will probably enjoy having you play. I’m in rural Texas and have ths same problem but the local bluegrass group thinks having a wind instrument is kinda neat. Go to a session, sit and listen then ask some of the members if they’d mind a whistle in the group. Old Time has some wonderful music, you won’t be disappointed in the tunes. In the US, Old Time, blugrass and folk music all have ties to immingrants from Ireland (among other places) and have some tunes in common with ITM.
Now, my suggestion would be that you buy all of the whistles on your current wish-list. One of them is bound to be the ultimate whistle for you, and you will be cured of WhOA forever.
So I got my flute out and… it is so heavy to hold up. And… the key mechanisms seem so clunky.
It should be showing up now. I’m in the center of Washington state.
I better step carefully around here.
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