Other Music for the Whistle?

Whistle
1

Someone mentioned playing shakuhachi music on
a whistle in one of these posts. I know that
you can hear shakuhachis play in jazz bands.


Are whistles involved with other types of music beyond the obvious? If so…

[ This Message was edited by: Walt on 2001-12-29 11:57 ]

2

Whistles were/are very popular in African music. There was a style in the '60’s-'70’s (the name of which escapes me at the moment) that IIRC arose in South Africa and spread to other parts of the continent in which the whistle/flageolet was featured quite prominently. You also might hear it in calypso music from the same period. I thought it was so odd that Robert Palmer had it in his version of “Pressure Drop,” but have heard it in quite a bit of island music since. Sorry no names come to mind.

Charlie

3
Whistles were/are very popular in African music. There was a style in the '60's-'70's (the name of which escapes me at the moment)

It’s called Kwela (aka Penny Whistle Jive). It was/is? mainly popular in South Africa. I’ve found one CD that’s fairly easy to get:

“King Kwela” by Spokes Mashiyane.

It’s good stuff!

There were discussions of this topic before, but I’m not sure if they were on this board or the old one. I’ve got some saved emails from people on the topic if you want more info.

-Brett

4

Mick Woodruff has recorded a Kwela tune, it’s here:
http://fingertrip.net/clipsnip/penfluitjie_kwela-mick.mp3

5

Dosn’t Paul Simon use a whistle on “Call me Al”

Joe

6

I’m noticing lately that some country music performers are using whistles in their songs, and it sounds really good!

Two examples come to mind:
Dixie Chicks–“Ready to Run”
Cyndi Thomsen–“What I Really Meant to Say”

I’m sure there are others, but that’s all I can think of right now.

7

MANY types of music are adaptable to whistle, including Classical. A Gigue is nothing but a jig!! I love to play the main theme from Bach’s Goldberg Variations on whistle–makes a beautiful slow air.

8

On 2001-12-30 11:04, brewerpaul wrote:
I love to play the main theme from Bach’s Goldberg Variations on whistle–makes a beautiful slow air.

That’s the Aria that goes so nice with fava beans and a nice Chianti! I think it was one of the best scenes when they played it in “Silence of the Lambs”. It is also one of my favorites to play on the piano.

Best wishes, Tom

9

I started my musical life playing flute and recorder, so I play classical pieces on my tin whistle. There are quite a few pieces by Vivaldi, Mozart, etc that sound quite nice on the whistle.

10

And don’t forget Andes music. It’s just made for whistles. A lot of what we assume is panpipe playing is actually played on whistles similiar to our common “Irish” whistle. One example is the Tarka (Tarca) that is a superb instrument. They are usually highly engraved and painted and have an excellent sound. The ones I have cost around $10 and are very playable. Plus they look just super hanging on the wall as a decoration. I have no idea what wood is used in their construction but all in all they are one of our fields best bargains. Oh, by the way they come in “low” models also. I’ve seen some that are a couple of feet long.

CUL

11

I think you can play most any kind of music. When I play in the jams around here it’s usually country or blue grass. Most had never heard a whistle before but they have discovered it goes quite nicely with many of their tunes. I always get compliments out of the auduence afterwards about that “flute thingy”.
BTW CUL, where do you find the Tarkas? Sounds like it might go with my Praise Team instrukments. Gm

12

Hey Grannymouse,

The Tarka (Tarca) is available from many sources. For example Lark in the Morning lists them and includes a nice picture. They are a higher grade (translation - more expensive) though. The last couple I bought I got at a local “new age” store. I, also, got a digeridoo (sp) for $20! It’s “the real thing” too. The fellow at the shop said he was glad to get rid of it so he lowered the price drastically. It seems no one coming into his shop knew what it was.

Another “6 hole” instrument is the Quena. They’re simply G.. Awfully wonderful to play and are available for just a few dollars in the student grade. Super easy to make also.

OK
CUL (see you later)

13

I have had a modicum of success with the following:

“It Makes No Difference” (Live Version from the Band’s Last Waltz album) seems to work with a plain old Generation ‘F’, as does “Done With Bonaparte” from Mark Knopfler’s Golden Heart and “A Change is Gonna Come” from the Band’s Moondog Matinee.

Marshall Tucker’s “Heard it in a Love Song” seems to work well with a decent ‘D’ (Sindt)whistle, as does “The Load Out/Stay” medly from Jackson Brown’s Running on Empty. For some reason, a tweaked Clarke ‘D’ seems to fit in on the latter, maybe because it’s flatter?

I have the most fun with these when no one else is home, if you know what I mean…

Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World,

Tom D.