A whistle recommendations?
- tin tin
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A whistle recommendations?
I've come discover that my favorite whistle key is A (followed by Bb)--it's high enough to still sound whistle-y and yet the upper octave is low enough not to be piercing or shrill. So I'm curious as to what recommendations people might offer for A (or maybe Bb) whistles--the main characteristic I'm looking for is agility. (In terms of playability, I want a whistle that has more high whistle allegiances than low.) In terms of tone and price, I'm open...
Micah
Micah
Last edited by tin tin on Wed Feb 25, 2004 5:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Lawrence
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I have a Dixon Mezzo-Soprano A that I truly love. It plays quite easily and has a lovely tone in both octaves. I guess I'd call it mellow.
I don't have a Bb yet, but I have a Hoover aluminum/Whitecap on order. I can give you an opinion in a few weeks.
I don't have a Bb yet, but I have a Hoover aluminum/Whitecap on order. I can give you an opinion in a few weeks.
Lawrence
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- BillG
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I have a Dixon Bb which I keep within reach most of the time for easy play. I play more flute than whistle but when I see or hear a tune unfamiliar to me ( and there are thousands of those ) I often reach for the Bb and give 'em a go. Dixon makes good stuff. If I find it really catches me then I ABC it and go for the flute - depending which one it sounds better on. I find it easier to grab a whistle and play the tune than it is to grab a flute (maybe put it together if not a delrin).
BillG
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BillG
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- Darwin
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I have a Hoover Whitecap alumium A that I like a lot. As you said, the upper octave being less shrill is a real plus.
The octaves are balanced as well as any of my D whistles. Playing in approximately the same range (first octave D and E, for example), it seems to be the loudest of my whistles (tweaked Clarke original D, Whitecap/Feadog D, Dixon PVC D, Burke narrow bore aluminum D, Burke wide bore brass C).
It's nice both for slow airs, which is what I mostly work on, and for bluesy pieces, like "Summertime" and "St. James Infirmary". I can get a pretty good bit of expression out of it with vibrato, slides, and note-bending.
I've just been learning "The Dear Irish Boy" from "Mel Bay's Complete Irish Tin Whistle Book", which has the music written in B minor for the D whistle, but has the recorded version played on the A whistle. It goes all the way up to third-octave D as written, but by transposing it to E minor in the written version and playing it on the A whistle, I can play it an octave lower, which is much, much nicer, and, I can play along with the CD, as well.
The octaves are balanced as well as any of my D whistles. Playing in approximately the same range (first octave D and E, for example), it seems to be the loudest of my whistles (tweaked Clarke original D, Whitecap/Feadog D, Dixon PVC D, Burke narrow bore aluminum D, Burke wide bore brass C).
It's nice both for slow airs, which is what I mostly work on, and for bluesy pieces, like "Summertime" and "St. James Infirmary". I can get a pretty good bit of expression out of it with vibrato, slides, and note-bending.
I've just been learning "The Dear Irish Boy" from "Mel Bay's Complete Irish Tin Whistle Book", which has the music written in B minor for the D whistle, but has the recorded version played on the A whistle. It goes all the way up to third-octave D as written, but by transposing it to E minor in the written version and playing it on the A whistle, I can play it an octave lower, which is much, much nicer, and, I can play along with the CD, as well.
Mike Wright
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One of my consistently favorite whistles over the past 3 years has been my Water Weasel Bb. If you don't have the cash for a wooden whistle from Glenn, try a Water Weasel...I think his Bb & A's really excell.
I've also heard nice things about Overton A's (Colin said it's his favorite key), but I've not had a chance to try one.
-Brett
I've also heard nice things about Overton A's (Colin said it's his favorite key), but I've not had a chance to try one.
-Brett
- tomcat
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a while back, i went on a quest for a good a. cash was an object for me - so i didn't try the thin weasel as jessie suggested (although i do now have a thin weasel d and absolutely love it!). i tried several in the mid to low range market. i have stuck with a hoover a. its quite good imo. a close second, although they sound totally different, was a chieftian a.
- Hiro Ringo
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- vomitbunny
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- Rick Davidson
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I just got a Thin Weasel Honduras Rosewood in A by Glenn Schultz last week. Just getting used to the whistle, but it seems to be what I was looking for in tone; in fact the wood characteristic in the tone is better than what I was hoping for. The added value is the look of this beauty; truely a great piece of craftmanship and art.JessieK wrote:I've played them all, and I have to recommend a (wooden) Thin Weasel by Glenn Schultz.
I would easily recommend one!
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Save by an evil chance,
And the merry love the fiddle,
And the merry love to dance.
-Saint Peter???