Breathing and the Clarke Original

Bodhran Diddley · Post by **Bodhran Diddley** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 3:48 pm

I really, really, really love the sound of my Clarke Original whistles but, having learned to play on a Generation, I'm finding the breath requirement challenging on some tunes.
Should I continue to work with the Original and, perhaps, improve my breathing? Is it possible to do with a whistle like this?
Or should I seek something like a Shaw, tweaked by Jerry? Do his tweaks eliminate all of the breathiness?
Thanks for any advice!

antstastegood · Post by **antstastegood** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 4:50 pm

Other way around here. I started with a Clarke, then later got a Jerry-tweaked Generation.

I get the most out of practicing by starting with the Clarke, then switching to the Gen after I have it (somewhat) figured out. The Clarke helps me figure where to breathe, etc, because it seems to be overall a more difficult whistle to play. Also, I much prefer the sound of the Gen.

Just my opinion, I make no pretense of being qualified.

Bloomfield · Post by **Bloomfield** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 5:47 pm

Mash the windway of your Clark down to reduce the height of it. You can use pliers to pinch the sides a bit, getting it even. Afterwards it helps to rub some wax around the fipple block to prevent leaks. Don't be shy to experiment, you can bend the tin over the windway back up with a knife or other pointy thing.

DCrom · Post by **DCrom** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 7:01 pm

I really thought the Clarke took a lot of wind, and pretty much ignored it to play other whistles for several months. But then I went back to it and found that it had miraculously improved - needed a bit more wind, but much less than I remembered.

I think part of the issue with Clarke originals is they don't have much backpressure, so we give them more air than they really need because of the lack of feedback. I had much the same issue with my Serpent Brassy Polly (though the BP will give some backpressure if you blow REAL HARD). Once I figured out the technique that works for me (imagine to myself I'm blowing across the top of the fipple, instead of into it) they became a lot easier to handle. They both do need a bit more air than Generations, but a heck of a lot less than a flute or a fife!

Not to say that the tweeks mentioned don't help, just suggesting that adjusting your embouchure can help a lot, too. (Though if I get a Shaw, it's going to be a Jerry-tweeked one - good instrument+good embouchure is better than good embouchure alone).

spittin_in_the_wind · Post by **spittin_in_the_wind** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 7:37 pm

I don't know if Jerry tweaks Clarke originals, but the tweaked ones from the Whistleshop are sweet...well worth the little bit extra cash.

Robin

vomitbunny · Post by **vomitbunny** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 7:50 pm

Hear hear with the windway mashing. Clarkes sound fantastic with only a little easy tweaking.

fancypiper · Post by **fancypiper** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 12:22 am

Clarke original! My favorite whistle.

See this Quick BBS search hit.

Jetboy · Post by **Jetboy** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 2:41 pm

I learned to play on a Clarke Original and like other contributors, have flattened and otherwise buggered about with the windway. I LOVE the sound of the Clarkes and even though I now make and market my own range of whistles (www.westonwhistles.co.uk)

I still use my Clarke regularly, especially in the quieter sessions when my own can be a tad overpowering. They are also very forgiving so are really good for beginners.

Jetboy

Brewster · Post by **Brewster** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 6:56 am

After buying my Clarke Original, I was never really happy with the sound. But, I figured for $10, it was worth a try. After reading this thread, I got up the courage to take hammer in hand and mash down the airway a bit. What a change. It now plays both octaves smoothly and clearly. Still have some playing around to reduce breathiness. Has a new tweeker been unleashed on an unsuspecting world?

galadriel77 · Post by **galadriel77** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 8:39 pm

Wow, here's to windway mashing! I tried it on my C and D, and it worked great! My D was never bad to begin with, but my C was pretty breathy. Thanks for the tips!

Bloomfield · Post by **Bloomfield** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 8:46 pm

Come all you lads and lassies
And listen unto me
While I relate the wonders
Of my great destiny
I'll teach you about tweaking
And the joys that it can bring
So mash your windays
Dull your blades
And make your whistles sing

(To the air of The Hiring Fair at Hamiltonsbawn)

vomitbunny · Post by **vomitbunny** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 8:47 pm

smashy smashy

lollycross · Post by **lollycross** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 9:05 pm

What a funny thread!
I also learned on a Clarke but hated the sharp-edged mouthpiece
that always seemed like it would cut my mouth. I never thought of
smashing it with a hammer to get the sound better tho, ha ha.
I am trying now to play the flute, and am finding out I haven't enough
breath to play diddley!
Lolly

fancypiper · Post by **fancypiper** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 9:38 pm

Don't blow across the hole.

Tighten your lips to the "pouting fish" position with your top lip as close to the far edge of the hole and blow as far down into the hole as possile. Tightening the lips more and blowing slightly further in the hole (pull your chin in slightly) should give the upper octave.

YMMV and I am a very poor flute player.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 5:04 pm

lollycross wrote:What a funny thread!
I also learned on a Clarke but hated the sharp-edged mouthpiece
that always seemed like it would cut my mouth. I never thought of
smashing it with a hammer to get the sound better tho, ha ha.
I am trying now to play the flute, and am finding out I haven't enough
breath to play diddley!
Lolly

Well consider yerself promoted today. How about a G Flute?

You should be able to play that and have some gas left for later!