Ok Ok Ok,
I know i have asked this question before, but i dont know just what to buy!
Ok i am looking for somthing quite cheap, that is easy to play, and reasonably quiet.
And of course somthing one thats going to sound quite nice in tone…and not have the dog barking like mad.
I dont want to buy rubbish and get fustrated by it cause the whistle is, basicaly crap.
Some whistlers rave on about Dixons for a begginners whistle are they true whistles, if you know what i mean ,do some whistlers dislike plastic whistles???
I dont want to have to tweak the whistle, just want a nice one to start with.
you can also get an already “tweaked” clarke at the whistle shop. I’m sure since they tweaked it already that should weed out bad ones, out of tune ect.
As far as Dixons being true whistles, I’d have to say “absolutely.” Whistles can be made out of several different materials, including plastic. Brand or maker seems to matter much more than material. Look how many people here love Water Weasels…and they’re made out of PVC plumbing pipe! (many with the plumbers code still on). I don’t have a Dixon myself (yet!) but I’ve heard enough good things about them and about their maker, that I probably will own one someday.
What matters most is how the whistle sounds and feels to you. I started on a Generation Eb, and I still love it. I’ve had a few Feadogs, some of which I’ve loved and some of which I’ve been less than enthusiastic about. I have a Susato (plastic!) that I really enjoy playing sometimes (though I don’t think I’d recommend it as a beginner’s whistle). Some people here started on Clarke originals or Sweetones, and still love them dearly.
If you have a music store near you that will let you play their whistles, go in, try whatever they have on offer (even if all you can play is a simple scale) and buy one that sounds and feels good to you. If you have to rely on mail order, I would say that most of the brands out there could make a good starter whistle for you. If you find that, after you’ve been playing for a while, your starter whistle has certain shortcomings, think about what you DON’T like about it and then search for a whistle of a different type. Don’t let the material it’s made of get in your way…that’s the least thing to worry about.
If you could find one, the Golden Tone would be a great whistle. But since it’s no longer on the market this may not be an option.
I started on a Soodlum, which is now called a Walton’s Brass D. It was a very satisfying whistle. I don’t know whether their whistles are still of the same quality.
On 2002-11-13 18:15, Redwolf wrote:
your starter whistle has certain shortcomings, think about what you DON’T like about it and then search for a whistle of a different type. Don’t let the material it’s made of get in your way…that’s the least thing to worry about.
Redwolf
Yeah, I agree, all wistles have good things and bad things about them. Get one you like and see what you want from there. Welcome to the wonderful world of WhOA!
I also started on a Feadog, and it’s a great beginner whistle; I also favor my Clarke Origs… They’re easy to play, sound nice, and are just great all-around.
Ok Ok Ok,
I know i have asked this question before, but i dont know just what to buy!
Ok i am looking for somthing quite cheap, that is easy to play, and reasonably quiet.
And of course somthing one thats going to sound quite nice in tone…and not have the dog barking like mad.
A nice and very inexpensive whistle IMO is the Clark Sweetone. Some people disagree about it, but I find it easy to play and it actually has a good sound. Mine got badly dented so that I had to push the dent out and put a strip of clear tape on the seam on the back and it still plays very nicely. I believe it was about $6.00? At that price, if you don’t like it it’s no big deal. Good luck!
On 2002-11-13 Walden wrote:
If you could find one, the Golden Tone would be a great whistle. But since it’s no longer on the market this may not be an option.
So, Walden, how goes your quest to resurrect the Golden Tone? I know you were talking about it earlier…
Slan
-Paul
[ This Message was edited by: paul on 2002-11-13 22:01 ]
I think you’re just going to have to lash out £3.50 and get a Brass Generation in D. It’s reasonably quiet, cheap, but in any cheap whistle quality varies, and you run the risk of getting a ppor one. In my experience, though, I’ve never had a Generation I couldn’t play in (whistles get better the more you use them, it’s one of those things).
As for the dog barking, It’s the frequency more than the quality of the sound, so I don’t think you will find a D whistle that doesn’t bother the dog. Check out the numerous discussions about cats & whistles to learn more about the phenomenon.
Hi Tony,
All things considered I’d suggest you get a Clarke’s original. It has a breathy tone so won’t sound quite as loud as the other metal with plastic mouthpiece whistles. The Clarke is also pretty tolerant of variations in breath control, it’s extremely unlikley to buzz or squeak.
Time to get philosophical Tony. Everyone has an opinion, and they’ll give it - and just doing a straw poll of which whistle gets the most mention isn’t necessarily the whistle for you. I suggest you do what Martin says and cough up a few quid on anything and make a start.
If it was me I would avoid most cheapies except Dixon, Oak, Susato (in that order), but it is just my opinion. Ignore the “plastic” thing though, some of the best are plastic. Once you’ve got used to your purchase, you can upgrade and go through the whole schemozzle all over again, because choice exists at all levels!
Just go get a whistle that you like the sound of. Just because I like the sound of a certain kind doesn’t mean that you will. My first four whistles were Generations(some played in tune, some did not). But, IMOH, if it plays reasonably in tune with itself, you can have fun with it.
Warning: You may, like many of us here, find that you NEED more and more whistles…
my 2cents. hated my clarke original as a first whistle, love it now after several months. too much air for a beginner in the first few weeks, will distract from other things. suggest generation or feadog for absolute beginner.
Tony, I’m a relatively new beginner too. If you are going to “really” find out which is best for you, you will have to get 'em all!! Don’t listen to all these experienced players they have already formed “opinions”.
Only you can really decide which is best, an I can tell you as a veteran beginner that you won’t find two of the same brand and type that sound or play exactly alike. Curious but true.
As far as the Clarke Original taking too much air. I say “phooey” producing air and controling it is what the whole whistle thing seems to be about. Corect me if I’m wrong, Experts!
So, get a Clarke and a Feadog and a Walton’s and start having some FUN!
On 2002-11-15 18:21, Curt Cook wrote:
Tony, I’m a relatively new beginner too. If you are going to “really” find out which is best for you, you will have to get 'em all!! Don’t listen to all these experienced players they have already formed “opinions”.
Only you can really decide which is best, an I can tell you as a veteran beginner that you won’t find two of the same brand and type that sound or play exactly alike. Curious but true.
As far as the Clarke Original taking too much air. I say “phooey” producing air and controling it is what the whole whistle thing seems to be about. Corect me if I’m wrong, Experts!
So, get a Clarke and a Feadog and a Walton’s and start having some FUN!
Just my thoughts.
Respectfully,
Curt
Yes Curt I think you are so right on this one.
So I have just purshased a Feadog D which I fancied anyways, i also got a Clarkes Meg only cause these was on at such a cheap price. Half the price of the Feadog.
Also I have ordered a Dixons.
Just a Shame I cant play yet…
I have only been playing around with the Meg doing the basic scale, we all have to start somewhere…
Thanks for the input…
Tony Fletcher… Sheffield England…
It’s prob more important to spend your cash on a good tutor or some lessons rather than a particular whistle.
To pluck a name at random, Seán Potts would sound good on either a cheap whistle or an expensive one. It’s the player that makes the real difference.
[In fact, he REALLY HAS played one of my Clarke Sweetones when we were out fishing…and he sounded damned good on it…that’s a whistle that doesn’t even cost a fiver!!]
There are two kinds of whistles: cylindical tubes and ice-cream cone tapered ones.
I have small hands and prefer tapered whistles: Copelands, Sweetones, Clarkes. With the tubes, it’s mostly how hard you have to blow and how loud they get.
Anyone tried the Mel Bay? It looks OK and it’s cheap.
[ This Message was edited by: Hepzibah on 2002-12-09 21:52 ]
I started on a sweetone- tried a walton’s and a Generation (I think I had the bad luck of getting a bad Generation) Got an Oak but it was one that had the mouthpiece that made your lips go numb…
so then I bought a Susato- okay so well maybe not a beginners whistle and it is really really loud (and I have the VSB). I found it to be a whistle that worked for me- Me and my Susato have a good working relationship. And I think that’s what it amounts too- there are a lot of good whistles out there- everyone has their favorite, but you need to poke around and see which one works best for you. Nothing works as well a bit of trial and error for figuring out what works for you. Remember your whistle should work with you, not against you..
