I had heard the whistle ITM everywhere and just didn't follow up on the instrument. I had received a Walton D as a gift but never opened it and its still in the bottom of the drawer. I had been lurking on the C&F Forum for quite a long while. I was doing my Irish family genealogy and reading Irish history when I came across a heartfelt story about building the Pennsylvania Railroad in the 1800s and 57 Irish men who died working on one mile of railway called Duffy's Cut. I was fascinated (obsessed) with the story. I pleaded on the C&F Forum for some help with learning the tune 'Lament for the 57' Duffy's Cut. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=86518AngelicBeaver wrote:How did you get started?
I researched the story of Duffy's Cut thru Immaculata University http://duffyscut.immaculata.edu/ and thru the Smithsonian Channel http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/ ... how=131088 and I even attended the burial ceremony in PA where I heard the 'Lament for the 57' on the bagpipes and by the man who wrote it (Francis Watson). Did I say obsessed, now more than ever I was determined to learn that tune.
The help came readily and was well received as I was determined to learn the tune. I didn't read music (still don't) and didn't have a whistle as far as I was concerned so the first whistle I purchased was a Jerry Freeman Bluebird D (still my daily practice whistle). I struggled thru all the help and resources offered by Chiffers. I eventually learned to play the tune somewhat ok. I still don't know how to record and that's on the bucket list.
Then like you Angelic Beaver I searched YouTube for anything about whistles, good, bad, or ugly. Chiffers were constantly talking about Low D whistles but I knew I wasn't ready for them. Still not with that Piper's grip thing. But one of the earliest YouTube Low whistle videos was this one here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxn_sNjJbRI and I said whoa! Let me learn some ITM tunes on the high D whistle first and then consider giving the Low D a go. Its now a year or so later and I may consider the low whistle.
I can't speak for Cayden, he has daughters off to college, but me own whistle whoad has expanded quite nicely... matter factly, I'm not THAT far behind 117 at the moment. Can't play'em well but they sure are purrtteee to look at. Some are shiny nickel, some brass, some wood, some aluminum, some copper, and some delrin. Colorful!ecohawk wrote:So I emailed John the next day and order the first of the 9 Sindt's I now own, which I received three weeks later . This was probably the wisest musical choice I ever made. In 2009 I ordered a silver tube for it, and though I now have 117 whistles (Cayden and Ytliek, you've still got room for expansion), I still carry this Sindt with me everywhere I go.
I will be buried with this Sindt and my birds-eye maple Busman d+ in my top left jacket pocket - where they always are.
ecohawk
I don't have nine Sindts and wouldn't mention them in public if I did as people will be kicking in yer doors to get at them. You read the forum everybody is looking for at least one Sindt.
I will admit to taking one Sindt D whistle to grave with me as well ecohawk... it's the only family jewel. And its sacrilege to dig up a grave.