Which Whistles do better in the high octaves?

violinmyster · Post by **violinmyster** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 12:16 pm

I was wondering which whistles do better in the high octave without becoming shrill and louder or breaking up? I have tried high end whistles which do this. I know that it also depends on breathing. But some of the whistles must be easier to blow and more consistent in higher octaves.

Being newer to the whistle I would appreciate any info. Thanks.

Dameon · Post by **Dameon** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 12:32 pm

My Clarke Original handles the high notes the best out of any whistle I've ever used.

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 1:21 pm

The Blackbird will do very well.

Cayden · Post by **Cayden** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 1:26 pm

jim stone wrote:The Blackbird will do very well.

You're doing your second hand information thing again Jim.

While the Blackbird is nicely balanced, it may not be the most forgiving whistle for someone who has trouble with breaking octaves : it requires a degree of breath-control to work well.

And I can tell because I have six of them here. How many have you played?

Azalin · Post by **Azalin** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 1:35 pm

Many expensive whistles will get very loud in the second octave in my experience anyway.

My beloved tweaked O'Brien Feadog plays the octave very nicely, but not sure how much breath control it really takes, might take a lot. I guess the Sindt is a winner in that department, can handle some extra air in the second octave, without being overly loud.

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 1:37 pm

'I was wondering which whistles do better in the high octave without becoming shrill and louder or breaking up?'

Peter has written me about the Blackbird, that it is an effort
to capture the Gens that I played in the late 70s or so.
They had a lovely, sweet, birdlike top end.
I have every confidence in Jerry and Peter and MT
and of course I can hear the result on the clips they've
posted. No, the Blackbird is not like many whistles
I've played that are very shrill and loud upstairs
or break up. Even if it will take a bit of practice to get
it right, the Blackbird will do very well.

Jerry Freeman · Post by **Jerry Freeman** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 1:44 pm

I'll get sound clips posted as soon as I can prepare them. The Blackbird is designed for a birdlike voicing, especially in the upper register.

Best wishes,
Jerry

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 1:47 pm

Azalin wrote:Many expensive whistles will get very loud in the second octave in my experience anyway.

Yes, it's an interesting question about what to do about it.
Some teachers (Cathal McConnell) recommend staccottoing
the notes on the top end, to reduce shrillness.

Any other suggestions? I'm actually struggling with this
right now as I have a couple of whistles that are
lovely till you get to the top two notes and then
they kill spiders.

cavefish · Post by **cavefish** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 1:48 pm

Dameon wrote:My Clarke Original handles the high notes the best out of any whistle I've ever used.

got to love them---also my Clarke pro-(Copeland)-also sweetheart pros are great

Jason Paul · Post by **Jason Paul** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 2:06 pm

My Mellow Dog is nice on the high end, but using it with the C body is exceptionally so. Very sweet, not shrill, and an easy player.

I also like my Every Whistle. It can be a bit shrill on the high A and B if the tone ring is all the way open, but it can be adjusted to keep that nicely in check. It takes more air pressure to play the second register cleanly, but I wouldn't call it difficult.

Jason

Byll · Post by **Byll** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 3:11 pm

Anything built by Mike Burke is sweet in the upper range, and the playability is excellent.

Best.
Byll

Feadoggie · Post by **Feadoggie** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 3:30 pm

Byll wrote:Anything built by Mike Burke is sweet in the upper range, and the playability is excellent.

I'm with Byll on this one. The Burkes are really smooth at the top end. Mike has changed the voicing over the years. I keep three non-black tipped Burkes, high D, C and low D, made in 2001 becasue they have the sweetest, easiest high end of any whistles I have ever played. The current Burkes are terrific at the high notes and the low notes are also good and strong.

Feadoggie

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 3:44 pm

helpful info

PhilO · Post by **PhilO** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 3:57 pm

Although they're all starting to sound pretty much the same to me (and I have about a hundred whistles), the Sindt and Burke seem sweetest and easiest up there...

Philo

free-feet · Post by **free-feet** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 4:06 pm

Sindt, Rose, Burke, O'Brien have all been good up top for me.

I'd stay off the Bleazey's though!