Which Freeman?

[plaidjaguar]

I'm a brand new whistle player. I just started last week, and I'm using the only whistle I could find locally--an Acorn in D.
I want to replace the Acorn with a really good whistle. I want to get a Freeman tweak, but I don't know if I should get the Sweetone, Generation, or Blackbird. I have heard audio clips of the Blackbird, and I'm truly in love with the sound, but I've read that it can be harder for a beginner to play. (I did consider the Mellowdog, but I like the bright sound of the Blackbird better.)

So, my question is: how much more difficult is the Blackbird to play, and is the sound quality different enough from the other two to be noticeable to the untrained ear?

Thanks for your help.
Savannah

[Arch_Angel]

Jerry is a regular on this site. PM him and let him know what you like in terms of tone qualities, and such. He'll know which of his products are closest to your desires. It's truely amazing how much he tweaks these things. I'm sure he'll be the best resource for you.

You would have to ask him, but he might be willing to squeak your current whistle.

Mike

[Pipe Bender]

I think most would agree that one of the best all around Freeman Whistle's is his Mellow Dog in D. The Blackbird is a quiet whistle and requires some breath control.

For a beginner I would recommend you start with the Mellow Dog and sometime down the road consider the Blackbird.

[Mr.Gumby]

If you like a particular sound, that's what you should go for.

[ecohawk]

All the advice you've gotten here is good and accurate. I own most of Jerry's whistles including all three you mention. The Mellow Dog is one of my very favorite whistles. The Blackbird is beautiful but may frustrate you at first until you gain the breath control necessary to appreciate it. I'm not personally fond of the Sweetone but that's just me. Some folks love it. The Generations Jerry tweaks are really nice, particularly the legendary Bb.

If I could only pick one, I'd go with the Mellow Dog. If I had to pick a second choice, I'd go with the Blackbird.

Michael

[Tucson Whistler]

If you like a particular sound, that's what you should go for.

I agree with Mr. Gumby. Go for the sound you like. You'll enjoy playing more.

[MTGuru]

I want to replace the Acorn with a really good whistle.

But the Acorn is a really good whistle. Let that sink in ...

Everything you need in order to learn to play great whistle is already in your hands.

Jerry's D Mellow Dog has lately become my main session whistle. If all my other D whistles disappeared tomorrow, I would not be terribly disappointed. At least for a while.

The Blackbird was deliberately designed with certain characteristics for the advanced player in mind. Particularly in terms of breath control and chirp. But beginners may enjoy it, too.

Any of Jerry's tweaked whistles is a solid, well-voiced instrument for anyone, beginner to advanced.

Don't let audio clips sway you. You will sound nothing like the clips. Pick a whistle you feel good about, and practice. A lot. Until you can appreciate the differences.

And welcome to the Chiffboard!

[Jerry Freeman]

I recommend the Mellow Dog. I promise you'll be delighted with it.

Best wishes,
Jerry

[Nanohedron]

I looked at the thread title and in my mind I snorted (which hurts, by the way), "Which Freeman? There's only one."

[Steve Bliven]

I looked at the thread title and in my mind I snorted (which hurts, by the way), "Which Freeman? There's only one."

Well, there's also Ralphie the mouse (or whale or rat or whatever)....

Best wishes.

Steve

[Whistlin' Will]

Well, there's also Ralphie the mouse (or whale or rat or whatever)....

It's also a duck.

[plaidjaguar]

Thanks for all your help! I got the Acorn because I was very anxious to start playing, but I've heard so much about Jerry's tweaks that I really must try one.
I think I will get the Mellowdog, though I'm pretty sure I'm destined for a Blackbird down the road, when I'm skilled enough to coax that glorious sound from it.

I'm sure I'll catch WhOA soon enough, and probably end up with all of them anyway.

[s1m0n]

Any of his high D whistles will be just fine for you. Yes, they're each a little bit different, but the differences are slighter than you'd guess from the way we carry on about it.

They'll all much, much better than the whistles I and anyone else who's been playing for more than a decade had to begin with.

[oakuss]

I'm with MTGuru here -- the Acorn is a nice whistle. First one I ever got. I then contracted WHOA, got many others, and forgot all about it. I just found it and tried it again recently and was pretty impressed.

But then ... I decided to "improve" it. I'd loosen the mouthpiece to make it tunable using hot water (I've done this many times on other whistles) ... Couldn't get it lose, wow! some glue they're using. I persevered. Tried making the water hotter ... oops, too hot! -- Melted it. Dang.

Wonder where I can find another locally?

But you can't go wrong with anything from Freeman.

[Tucson Whistler]

I'm sure I'll catch WhOA soon enough

You've been playing for a week and already have a hankering for more whistles. Hate to tell you, but you've already caught it.