Are you unaffected by Whoa?

tomcat · Post by **tomcat** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 3:30 pm

Hello, I'm tomcat, and i'm a WhOA-lic

Phew! It feels good to freely admit this. I'm currently looking for a weekly meeting of fellow inflicted fipplers but haven't found such yet.

I've tried just about everything to rid myself of the addiction. My latest attempt has been to make a pledged not to purchase any whistle without talking about the purchase to others first. So far this has worked.

However, I think I'm coming down with a variant form of the virus:
T-WhOA. It causes one to trade whistles like crazy.

I think every whistle should have a label attached warning folks of the addictive nature of the beast. Our children need to be protected!

Currently I'm interviewing attornies to see if I can sue the large manufactors and recoup some of my investment and be compensated for the emotional and relational stress caused by WhOA.

mamakash · Post by **mamakash** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 4:31 pm

All whistle players have WHOA of one form or another. The good news is . . .it can be controlled. I haven't bought a whistle since 2001, I really haven't needed another whistle, I don't have a lot of time to play, I have a guitar that isn't played as much as it should be(and cost a heck of a lot more than a whistle). All good reasons . . . and all of them keep WHOA under control. I mean, how many D whistles can one use? (Don't answer.)
I have a nice little collection . . . each is a little different, one expensive and the rest cheap. I was discoraged when I bought a Susato Low D but couldn't play it and later bought a Dixon High D duo but found the piccolo head useless. It seemed like I was wasting money at this point. I didn't want to try another Low D(my hands are small and tend to cramp) and I didn't think I'd enjoy playing a flute. I started saving for a guitar and even though I don't practice as much as I'd like, I'm glad I got it. I got one that I really like and will continue to enjoy when I improve.
It doesn't mean I'd never get another whistle. I've been eyeing the Dixon Low G and whistle tune books that also include guitar chords. I'd like to be able to play whistle, record my playing and back it up with guitar. So any future purchases will have that goal in mind.

Ailin · Post by **Ailin** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 5:09 pm

Nope. No WhOA here........only 32, or is it 33, whistles in my collection. I can go an entire week without buying a whistle. And only 1 set of uilleann pipes with a 2nd chanter on the way. Nope, no WhOA here!

janice · Post by **janice** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 5:28 pm

No WHoA here. Found a whistle I really like (copeland D) years ago. I've got Gens in the standard keys that I use only for playing with singers and for lifting tunes in odd keys.

(and heresy of hersies! I've never understood the compulsion to collect extra whistles!! But hey, to each his own......)

avanutria · Post by **avanutria** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 5:31 pm

Hey Ailin let's get together before I move (the 24th). You can squeak on your pipes and I can squawk on my concertina.

Actually it might be here in time for the next Metro session (which is also my LAST Metro session

) in which case you can be sure I'll be bringing it in!

BTW, there is a beginner's session every Wednesday night at St. John Fisher, let me know if you want more details!

fatveg · Post by **fatveg** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 5:46 pm

I'm fairly immune to WHOA.

I've always been fascinated by the mechanics and technology of musical instruments, and the amazing diversity of ways to make noise. Being a geek I've also had a fascination for the methods of electronic synthesis. About 10 years ago I went to a friend's house, and was blown away when he took me into his study, and three of the four walls were covered in 19" racks with every form of music synthesis, recording and audio processing kit known to man, and a big stack of keyboards in the middle of the room. He excitedly told me about the latest units he had bought, and the trouble he was having designing a usable patch system. After about 30 mins of gawking, I asked him to play something he had recorded for me. He got very sheepish, and explained that he had been spending so much time building the system that he hadn't even recorded a singlie piece yet -- but he fully intended to soon, and he had a great concept for this album...

I rate my purchases in terms of fun/$. My $20 spiritsong bamboo flute probably has the highest ratio of fun/$ of any instrument I own. I have been given two whistles (Shaw D and a Feadog), and have bought three others (Sweetone C, Sweetone D and a Susato D). I may buy another whistle at some point, but I really don't think my playing justifies anything too extravogant yet.

But I am lusting after one of These:

<img src="http://www.artichokemusic.com/_images/m ... mation.gif">

DaveG · Post by **DaveG** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 10:01 pm

Not me,no sir...Got my Silkstone G/A set today...Reynaldo emailed me about shipping my D/C set this weekend....oh,and I do have a couple of Gen Bb along with a Clarke D and C on the.....did I mention my Crump bouzouki being made...Nope,not me..

Chuck_Clark · Post by **Chuck_Clark** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 10:57 pm

Actually, although I currently own around four dozen whistles at all levels, I feel I can confidently say I no longer suffer from WhOA. At the very least, it has been in remission for nearly two years.

After fruitlessly searching for a whistle that would make me better, I finally learned three things. First, there is NO whistle that would help me. Second, whistles may occur in infinite variety, but their characteristics are not infinite. After a while, I realized that whistles tend to fall rather readily into a limited range of characteristic sets. Finally, this was getting ridiculously expensive just at the time when I was planning to retire and go on the proverbial fixed income.

Besides, I *found* my perfect whistle. I realize that it isn't perfect for everyone, but for me the Silkstone PVC has all the characterisitics that I want. Since I won't find anything that's a better fit than perfect, why keep looking?

kevin m. · Post by **kevin m.** » Fri Apr 25, 2003 12:33 am

after collecting 36 whistles over the years,I feel that my WHOA is finally in remission.That last one-the Copeland low D- took a chunk out of the finances

. I have a Sindt Bb/A set due round about sept. Then,I think my whistle collection will be 'complete'.
Of course,I should have my Uilleann Pipes by then!

antstastegood · Post by **antstastegood** » Fri Apr 25, 2003 12:37 am

hmmm... i dont even own one yet.. but i want one in every key.

they are probably the most beautiful sound there is.

kevin m. · Post by **kevin m.** » Fri Apr 25, 2003 12:52 am

As an afterthought,if you haven't already read it,there is an excellent thread in the archives entitled 'THE ZEN OF ANTI-WHOA'.
Maybe it should be compulsory reading.

lilymaid · Post by **lilymaid** » Fri Apr 25, 2003 2:34 am

I've got three whistles, and I like two of them. I could use a couple in a few different keys, but I'm happy.

I love whistles because they pretty and bright and shiny, but I've miraculously escaped WhOA.

rebl_rn · Post by **rebl_rn** » Fri Apr 25, 2003 6:23 am

I think I have WhOA, but so far I have been able to control it. I only have 8 whistles. I too don't have a lot of money, and the little extra I have I choose most of the time to spend in other ways on other little habits (like Birkenstocks). I am coveting a Rose whistle however, after getting to play one last summer. And there are a couple of different keys I would like to get. Maybe now that I got my student loan paid off

I can buy a few more whistles......but I could quit anytime......

Beth

Steven · Post by **Steven** » Fri Apr 25, 2003 7:27 am

Ya know, I thought I had it licked. I really did. But I'm starting to think now it was just in remission. Oddly enough, it wasn't even a whistle that did it, but a flute. I got a Copley keyless, and suddenly felt no need for more instruments. I like the whistles I have (well, most of them anyway). I have an Oak D (nonpoisonous variety), Susatos in high D and C and medium bore in Bb, A, and G, plus an O'Riordan D/C set on loan from a friend, plus a few old junky ones. Add the antique 6-key flute, a couple of PVC flutes, and the new Copley, and I'm a pretty happy man.

But then, dagnabit, those Syn whistles came out, and now I want one! Problem is, I'd have to convince my wife it's a good idea, which would be a lot easier to do if we weren't looking for a house right now. I guess maybe I'll have to wait. Sigh!

Steven

E = Fb · Post by **E = Fb** » Thu May 01, 2003 4:12 pm

Cause of Whoa: Thinking that a better whistle will make you sound better. I've played Dixon, Chieftain, Copeland, Water Weasel, Silkstone, Laughing...and maybe a few others. A good tweaked cheapo whisle is as good as any of the above. I wouldn't trade my tweaked Walton's Mello D for a Copeland.