I am a complete novice to tin whistle playing. Don’t even own a whistle, yet. But I am working hard to change this condition with your help.
Until now I have played a hand-me-down wooden Hohner recorder and a fairly new clarinet. I have to admit that I quite playing both quite some time ago. Initially I wanted to “revive” my clarinet playing, but my landlord had very strong subjections to its as he said klaxon qualities.
Okay, I admit you can hear it clearly three doors down, even with the windows closed. Can’t possibly imagine what it feels like to live in the appartment downstairs from it. Probably comparable to holding your head next to the speakers during a rock concert.
I have been fascinated by tin whistles for a long time now, but with everything else going on, it’s only now that I have enough time to get started.
Recommendations to whistles and books are always much appreciated!
Welcome to the board - if you get time to get hooked on whistles you’ll definately find some good info here to help you out. There’s a good search function that is very handy if you want opinions on whistles… Whatever you get - buy a $2 package of sticky-tac and when you need to practice quietly put a 1/2 pea sized blob of it on top of the windway and push it towards the lip to quiet the whistle down as needed. - it sounds wierd but really works. Got to keep the landlord happy!
So I have only been here for a few days and already I’m afraid of contracting WhOA. To be honest, this feeling started the moment I typed the “tin whistle” search request on google.
If I start buying now, there’ll be no going back. Maybe I should contact my banker and tell him to activate some highly complicated “child proof (whistle addict) lock” to reign in my expences.
deisman
buy a $2 package of sticky-tac and when you need to practice quietly put a 1/2 pea sized blob of it on top of the windway and push it towards the lip to quiet the whistle down as needed
Wow, thank you deisman! Seeing that the man can be very annoying sometimes (O-tone: “I’d like you to stop typing on your laptop at 10 p.m. - the sound is annoying.”), your suggestion is likely to be a life-saver!!!
In terms of the whistle, I would suggest you seriously consider a Dixon. As you live in an apartment you want to be able to keep your home. The Dixon brass tends to be a bit quieter than most (though it can still be quite loud). Maybe have a look at some of the techniques to mute whistles shown on this board.
Too many good books out there to isolate one, but have a look at the Ryan Duns videos on YouTube - they are a good quality and should start you off well.
Also, if you have a mic, upload your playing for established players to give you feedback. It can be as good as a lesson. There are a number of sites you can go to and if you are stuck you can ask any of us. I am sure we would happily tell you what we think. Most of us are tame and house-trained.
Above all - enjoy your new obsession .. nurture it .. feed it .. and cherish it.
Hello Tikva. I’ve been at this less than a month, but already own a handful of inexpensive whistles. As for the practicing problem, I don’t live in an apartment but I do live in a “row house,” as we call them in Philly. The issues are similar.
The sound of a high D whistle is penetrating. And as you know, practicing any musical instrument is repetitious and not a spectator sport. Muting the whistle may help, but I doubt it will completely solve the problem. The only solution I’ve found is: practice somewhere else. I practice outdoors when I walk my dog. When the weather gets too wintry, this won’t be an option, but for now it works. I also practice in the car. That is, I’ll just go out and sit in the car and practice, without driving anywhere.
I’ve ordered a low G whistle from Guido Gonzato, which should arrive in a few days. I’m hoping the sound of this whistle will be less penetrating, and if I practice at home it’ll barely be audible to neighbors. I’ll post something here when I’ve tried it.
I also have a tenor sax that I sometimes play, but not nearly as often as I’d like, for the same reason. And playing the sax while walking the dog or sitting in the car just isn’t happening.
Walshman > I would suggest you seriously consider a Dixon
Guess what, I do already! I have actually laid my eyes on a Dixon Trad brass, a Dixon Polymer and a Susato Kildare s series. Of course all of them are High D.
I haven’t completely made up my mind which to buy, but I guess the Dixon Trad is most likely to end up in my hands.
Ubizmo> And playing the sax while walking the dog or sitting in the car just isn’t happening.
Look at the bright side you _do_own a car. Okay, I can’t picture myself playing a sax or clarinet in a car either, but I would like to have the option. Given the short distances between my home, future work place and all important stores, I won’t need one in the near future anyway.
The whistle is actually going to be my graduation treat in late November. Whistle research is my current way to relax from “learning marathons”.
Of my three high whistles (Clarke orignal, Feadog and Clark MEG C), the Clarke is the quietest (it does get louder (as do the others) at about the second octave A and above.
TravM63 > Of my three high whistles (Clarke orignal, Feadog and Clark MEG C), the Clarke is the quietest
Looks like there is yet another whistle to consider. The Clarke Original is quieter than the other two? Mmmh. I should really give this some consideration seeing that low volume is somehow essential to my current tenancy.
Thank you all for your teaching web pages suggestions so far. I have found some myself, like http://www.whistletutor.com/
Actually, this is the one page that started all of this - uhm - madness.
As I am going to work in front of a computer screen all day long, I just cannot picture myself sitting in front of my laptop on my time off for too long.
Also there is this to consider: I am a book-person. From experience it takes me much longer to learn something onscreen than from a printout. I know that’s stupid. Just can’t change it either.
Tikva, there are ways to mute a whistle. Just placing a paper clip in the window or putting a small ball of poster tack on the edge of the blade both work fairly well. With the poster tack, you can roll it closer or farther from the edge of the blade to adjust volume. Parks Whistles even has a whistle (a very nice whistle BTW) with a built in muffler.
So many whistles to choose from – you will eventually need one of each, of course.
Yeah, i agree, the best thing is just get playing as soon as possible. Go with a cheapie first to make sure the instrument is “for you” You can even get sets of several generations for instance for not tvwery expensive and you get a few keys. That’ll help you decide what range you like, low or high whistles for instance.
And if you do get hooked, get ready for a ride, hahaha
