Let me live vicariously....

Dana · Post by **Dana** » Wed Dec 25, 2002 3:00 pm

Re: wood instruments improving over time: I believe that they do. I have a Powell (Boehm system) African Blackwood flute that's one year old, and just sounds better and better, unlike my silver flute that doesn't seem to change. The tone on the wood flute seems to become more colorful, and smoother with age. I have an old Powell piccolo (1958) that I could sell in ten seconds, if I wanted to.

(Forgive me, all for my digression from the theme of this thread).

Ridseard · Post by **Ridseard** » Wed Dec 25, 2002 3:25 pm

At the risk of hijacking this thread, I have to agree with Tony about how a whistle may seem to "improve" over time. This even happens with metal whistles, which obviously has litle to do with the instrument itself, but rather with player adaptation.

IMHO, nothing in all of whistledom has the responsiveness of a good Generation, but in the search for the ultimate whistle, there may be several which have a superior tone (or at least a tone which appeals more to the player). It is definitely worth a struggle to get used to the idiosyncracies of the instrument in order to take full advantage of the tone.

Stability is another issue. Responsiveness and stability are to some extent incompatible. For example, a whistle either has very easy octave transitions (responsive), or it doesn't (stable). You can't have both. The best you can hope for is a compromise.

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Wed Dec 25, 2002 4:14 pm

The Abell is an understated
whistle, so that one doesn't
realize quite what it is for
awhile. Then it keeps getting
better.

ChrisLaughlin · Post by **ChrisLaughlin** » Wed Dec 25, 2002 4:19 pm

Could we please not talk about Abells anymore? You're making me sad....

Chris

lathem · Post by **lathem** » Wed Dec 25, 2002 5:02 pm

Mr. Claus was exceptionally generous this year:

My O'Riordan C/D set arrived this week. The wait was long (35 months), but worth it; these are phenomenal whistles.

Also, though not exactly whistle related, I found a copy of Akira Tsumura's "1001 Banjos" under the tree this morning. For you poor unfortunates who are unfamiliar with things banjo, this is a limited-print, 900+ page, 18-pound tome chock-full of photographs of some of the world's rarest and most beautiful banjos. Excruciatingly expensive, but also worth it.

Happy Holidays!

--
Mark

mvhplank · Post by **mvhplank** » Wed Dec 25, 2002 5:10 pm

• The Ungrateful Wretch (just kidding!) graduated college last May and decamped for the other coast, so it's my first Christmas alone--ever.
• The guitar-playing friend is keeping Christmas with his 95-year-old Quaker mom.
• Sisters and Mom are 700 miles away.
• Spent the day snowed in.
• The big dinner with the neighbor's family is postponed until clement weather.

On the other hand, I spent a restful, pressure-free day, did some laundry, some reading, and talked to family far away (including said Ungrateful Wretch). Last week I got an unexpected year-end bonus at work so I paid some overdue and worrysome bills.

The cats think the bows from packages are the greatest toys ever and carry them around so they can then bat them across the floor.

Life is still good!

M

littlejohngael · Post by **littlejohngael** » Wed Dec 25, 2002 6:09 pm

Ah, Christmas. I think my wife's buying me a low d tinwhistle she found on ebay. I have no clue who the maker is, but since I'm a newbie to whistle playing, it really doesn't matter, does it? hehehe.

Merry Christmas!!

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Wed Dec 25, 2002 6:23 pm

On 2002-12-25 19:09, littlejohngael wrote:
...since I'm a newbie to whistle playing, it really doesn't matter, does it? hehehe.

Merry Christmas!!

It does... don't impulse buy

mvhplank · Post by **mvhplank** » Wed Dec 25, 2002 6:44 pm

On 2002-12-25 19:23, Tony wrote:
On 2002-12-25 19:09, littlejohngael wrote:
...since I'm a newbie to whistle playing, it really doesn't matter, does it? hehehe.

Merry Christmas!!
It does... don't impulse buy

Ah, Scrooge, it's a GIFT, and it may even be fine.

M

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Wed Dec 25, 2002 6:59 pm

I guess I look at it differently.
One good whistle is better than a drawer full of bad ones.

aderyn_du · Post by **aderyn_du** » Wed Dec 25, 2002 8:55 pm

What fun reading about everyone's whistle/music gifts-- thanks for sharing your fun!!

Marguerite, your day sounds like it was very nice indeed; peace and quiet is good for the soul! Though I'm sure you missed your Ungrateful Wretch just a little bit... maybe?

What, Tony-Pie, no whistles in your stocking this morn?

Andrea ~*~

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Wed Dec 25, 2002 9:00 pm

no Andrea, I'm awaiting more pipes though...

aderyn_du · Post by **aderyn_du** » Wed Dec 25, 2002 9:05 pm

Well, that's a happy thing then! Enjoy them when they arrive...

Have a great night all-- I'm off to rest my achin' back from cooking and slaving all day, with no whistle for pay.

Hugs and whistle-dreams,
A ~*~

Soineanta · Post by **Soineanta** » Wed Dec 25, 2002 9:07 pm

Inside the card from my parents was a slip of paper reading: "Gift certificate for one tinwhistle, key and maker of your choice." Woohoo! Now I just have to decide between an Elfsong, a Hoover, a Sindt or maybe an Abell. I've been dying for an Elfsong but I'd also really like to try a wooden one. Decisions decisions! I know you guys are sick of hearing this question, but any suggestions?

mvhplank · Post by **mvhplank** » Wed Dec 25, 2002 9:26 pm

Aderyn:
Of COURSE I miss her, but I figure I did my job if she's happy, independent, educated, and employed. I wouldn't want to end up like those moms on Dr. Phil who couldn't let the kids go! Besides, I'll get to go see her his summer--maybe she and her sweetie will have furniture by then. I've never been to San Jose, so it'll be fun.

Soineanta:
I've got three Elfsongs and I couldn't be happier. Well, if I had 5 or 6, I COULD be happier... I can't offer an opinion on the other whistles, though. (What colors? A clear-coat C, a metal-flake ruby D and a metal-flake emerald D.)

I gave the Ungrateful Wretch a matched emerald C and D for college graduation, by the way. Her fiddles are sitting neglected in my living room, awaiting shipment.

M