Why play whistle in such ununsual a key?

Tak_the_whistler · Post by **Tak_the_whistler** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 1:53 am

I'm thinking of getting a whistle in the key of B.

Why?

I don't know.

CHIFF FIPPLE · Post by **CHIFF FIPPLE** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 1:57 am

Tak_the_whistler wrote:I'm thinking of getting a whistle in the key of B.

Why?

I don't know.

Eb sounds better

Tak_the_whistler · Post by **Tak_the_whistler** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 2:10 am

Tak_the_whistler · Post by **Tak_the_whistler** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 2:10 am

Eb (low Eb in fact) is probably the next key (to B) I'm getting. I'm not yet too keen on F.

I was still asking myself why and now came up with two possible reasons.

1. The key of my bathroom is 'B'. To be precise, the gas boiler drones B. So, tjat is, I've been hearing the "drone" since childhood and now the device implanted by Crystal People finally began to take effec+//transpotision///idgo873?weightofglory=?!///whistle=in=the=key=of=B/////

2. Somewhere someplace I heard a nice recording of pipes in B, and it's been haunting my heart, soul and mind, or something.

Wombat · Post by **Wombat** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 2:11 am

Tak, does somebody you know like to sing or like play in B? If so the choice makes perfect sense.

The usual keys are so because of the relative ease of playing this or that instrument in those keys. If whistle players played often with alto or baritone saxophones, Ab would be a common key. They don't so it isn't. A whistler who wants a job accompanying singers without prior rehearsal had better be equipped to play in every key.

Tak_the_whistler · Post by **Tak_the_whistler** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 2:35 am

Hmmm, don't know Wombat, but the latter (a tune in B) takes the bigger part, I think.

I played a Baritone in a school club for about two and a half years, tenor for about three). Having enjoyed played Baritone, I'm thinking I'll probably find F to be more comfortable to my fingers than Eb would be...but I do prefer the sound of Eb. I guess I'll just have to get both keys

unicorn · Post by **unicorn** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 5:13 am

I have a bamboo flute in B but I have not played it too much yet. I haven't been able to get a decent sound since I'm not a flute player.

I think you should get a whistle in any key you want just because it is like Mount Everest.

My vocal range is suited best to F so I try to use my C whistle for songs I may sing.

colomon · Post by **colomon** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 5:25 am

I've been told that a B whistle is a great choice for playing with people singing in E (major), which is a very coommon key. And I know someone with a lovely set of pipes in B.

That said, I don't have a B whistle. Though I do have a low Eb, and I love it...

brewerpaul · Post by **brewerpaul** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 5:25 am

To B or not to B, that is the question...

Mouse · Post by **Mouse** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 5:59 am

unicorn wrote:
I think you should get a whistle in any key you want just because it is like Mount Everest.

So, what key is Mount Everest in?

- Stephen

chas · Post by **chas** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 8:22 am

I like odd keys in part because I don't want anybody telling me what key to play in.

As has been pointed out, E is the second key of a B whistle, and there's lots of neat stuff in E. You just can't play along with Joni Mitchell (and lots of blues/rock type music) without playing in E.

As has also been pointed out, there are lots of pipes in B.

I have a B whistle by Mike Burke that's okay, a low-E also by Mike that's tremendous, and two E's by Glenn Schultz, including one in Mopane that's one of the best whistles I've ever played.

Flyingcursor · Post by **Flyingcursor** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 8:28 am

Mouse wrote:
unicorn wrote:
I think you should get a whistle in any key you want just because it is like Mount Everest.

So, what key is Mount Everest in?

- Stephen

Does Mt. Everest drone like Tak's bathroom?
Or it means 'because it's there'?

Who knows the answers to such mysteries? Ask the Grand Poobah.

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 8:40 am

Tak_the_whistler wrote:I'm thinking of getting a whistle in the key of B.
Why?

This will allow you to play easily in the key of E, which is nice if you play with guitars.

g

tansy · Post by **tansy** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 9:31 am

i originally wanted a B whistle because i play B pipes and it helps working up chunes and instilling that key in yer brain. but now i just like the timbre of it. i play my hover B about half the time, the rest is divided between hi and low D's.
i think my sailboat is in the key of B

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 10:33 am

I've been wanting a whistle tuned to B minor, just don't have the $$.

I do have a wide bore E Elfsong, that I just love.

Eb sounds weird to me.

Chiff and Fipple Forums

Why play whistle in such ununsual a key?

Why play whistle in such ununsual a key?

Re: Why play whistle in such ununsual a key?

Re: Why play whistle in such ununsual a key?