What a great site this is.
I looking for advice on which whistle to buy, I am new to the whistle.
I have looked in a local music shop and have seen these whistles:- Generations,Clarkes,Clarkes sweetone,Waltons and Feadogs.
I would like some oppinions on which might be a good one to go for?
Thanks alot for anyones help…
Tony Fletcher/ Sheffield England.
Frankly Tony, none of those. Do a search on this subject because it’s been covered many times before. We need you to answer some questions in order to help you:
- budget (they range from £4 to £300)?
- metal, wood or composite?
- what kind of tone? (chiffy, pure, sweet, loud, soft, etc)
Listen to some soundbites in clips & snips and you’ll get a sense of how the various whistles sound.
If you want a cheapie to start and to get learning, I’d personally recommend a Dixon at £24 (www.tonydixonmusic.co.uk) or an Oak at £12 (from Shana Quay in Eire - get URL from Google).
Nick
A useful but sometimes under-used feature of this site is the “Search” capability. You might start with the name of the whistle that most intrigues you and see what other folks have to say about it.
Welcome, and good luck!
Marguerite
I started with a clarke original and found it easy to play, to get the upper octive, also it was a fairly quiet, breathe whistle so it was gentler on the ears of those nearby during my learning stages, I dont care for the sweetones as much. Good luck
Nick
Tony
I agree 100% with Nickt. A Dixon Soprano D is a most excellent whistle to start with. That is what I started with…been playing about 2 months and if it wasn’t for that Dixon I might not have stuck it out and got as far as I have! It is just a great whistle! And then when you improve you will get a good case of WHoa like the rest of us and have to try them all!!!
WELCOME!!!
Andrea Z
Andrea Z
Tony,
What is your musical background? If you already play a wind instrument, it could affect your choice. I’m assuming you know that D is the standard key for whistles.
Generations are the bog-standard whistle in the UK, and as a result often thought of as little more than toys. In fact, I have several and like them all, though many people feel the quality control is poor, and you might get a lemon.
Clarke Originals are very nice, but take more air. I started with one of these when I got serious about whistles, but soon added other makes to my collection. The original still gets an airing regularly though.
The Sweetone is also often thought of as a toy, but is a very easy whistle to play. Get one in black if you don’t want it to look like something from Play School. Some feel the tuning is a bit off.
Feadogs are produced in Ireland, and are improving. Look at the head - is it straight, or does it have a bump? If it’s straight, you’re looking at a Mark 3 head, and it should play with a really clear sweet tone (a Generation is more raspy). I have a black anodised body Feadog that is one of my favourite whistles when I want that clear tone. Tuning is good, air requirements low. Feadogs come in a range of colours, also plain Nickel or Brass. I’d recommend the black anodised body.
Waltons are also from Ireland. The Mellow D is a wider bore instrument, and very nice to begin on. The Bellnote (all fingers down, lowest note) is a little sharp sometimes, but this can be “tweaked” as shown elsewhere on this site. The tone really is quite mellow, but the wider body does for me take a little more air than the Feadog or Generation.
Overall, of the 5 you name, I’d go for a Brass Generation in D. Very, very traditional if you’re planning to play Irish Music, and it shouldn’t cost even £4.00. You will need to loosen the head to get it in tune. (dip in hot, not boiling water, to melt the glue. Hold body & head in a tea towel and twist head off. Clean out the glue, and put the head back, but about 1cm higher than before. This should be very close to concert pitch).
You can always go back for more whistles later!