Why play whistle in such ununsual a key?

TonyHiggins · Post by **TonyHiggins** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 10:43 am

Are you guys talking about an E above soprano D? Doesn't it get a bit shrill? Just a question. I'm addicted to playing a Bb, which has some qualities of a high whistle and some of a low one. When I pick up a high D after that, it sounds a bit squeaky high.
Tony

Tyghress · Post by **Tyghress** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 10:45 am

There are only three really good reasons for buying a whistle in a weird key:

1) to play along with someone who plays in that weird key
2) to be sure that when you play what you wish to be a solo almost everyone else gives up and lets you play
3) because you want to

The Weekenders · Post by **The Weekenders** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 10:51 am

I use an E a lot. I would consider getting a B just to not be as shrill but avaiable for E tunes. Sea chanteys like that key as well as guitar-based folks, as mentioned above. It's not high on my list, but I will get a B someday.

Wombat · Post by **Wombat** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 11:03 am

TonyHiggins wrote:Are you guys talking about an E above soprano D? Doesn't it get a bit shrill? Just a question. I'm addicted to playing a Bb, which has some qualities of a high whistle and some of a low one. When I pick up a high D after that, it sounds a bit squeaky high.
Tony

I have an Elfsong E which is nice. Obviously it is getting pretty high but isn't terribly shrill. But I also have an Abell F and I wouldn't call that shrill. I'd like to have all keys covered because I play in non-celtic styles a lot. I'd get a low E if I felt the need but high E and B cover E pretty well for the few occasions I need to play in that key.

chas · Post by **chas** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 11:15 am

My Water Weasel high-E had belonged to Loren -- he thought it was loud and shrill. I think it's quite nice, but then I like loud whistles. The Thin Weasel E, OTOH, is a narrow bore and is not at all shrill in the upper register. I think E just speaks to me, though.

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 11:32 am

I got my wide bore Elfsong E (it also fits D and C tubes - not the smaller sassy brass version) from AndreaZ, and it's not shrill at all.

I've flirted with the idea of getting a low E too, but I don't really 'need' E for anything specific like singers or other instruments, I just like it.

Tak_the_whistler · Post by **Tak_the_whistler** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 12:14 am

Tyghress, for me it must be #3.

You know, if you have B, besides being able to play (also) in the key of E you can play along a blues tune in C#m7 or F#m7 as well.

":roll: Not too many blues in C#m7" ? Forget that!

-----------------------------------------
"Dedicated to B whistles"
- inspired by Paul B.

Then "Not to B" said Hamlet in the dark
He pull-ed out that hideous thing in B
and slain the mass of players of re*****rs
by means of droning B, ornamentations.

Feadan · Post by **Feadan** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 7:51 am

My next two whistles acquisitions are a trade for two Sindts, B and C#. The key of B mostly for the secondary key of E and the C# for the secondary key of F# so I can play along with certain recordings I have of Northumbrian Smallpipes that play in that key (don’t know if it is because of the pipes or the recording speed). Also just so I can fill a couple of gaps in available keys in my whistle collection.

cj · Post by cj » Wed Sep 10, 2003 8:03 am

Dangit! Just finished the latest attack of WhOA, and now y'all have to go and make me want a B whistle . . .

Glauber's right, guitarists love the key of E.

msheldon · Post by **msheldon** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 5:45 pm

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

Hmm, that would be A (major).

One of my more heavily used whistles.

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 6:23 pm

Quote @ msheldon

Hmm, that would be A (major).

One of my more heavily used whistles.

I meant a whistle that XXX XXX is B and 'normal' playing produces the minor scale...

Wombat · Post by **Wombat** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 7:53 pm

Cranberry wrote:Quote @ msheldon
Hmm, that would be A (major).

One of my more heavily used whistles.
I meant a whistle that XXX XXX is B and 'normal' playing produces the minor scale...

Daniel Bingamon already produces whistles like this in some of the minor modes and would probably produce them in others if asked. As a matter of curiosity, why won't an a whistle do the job you want done well enough?

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 7:59 pm

Quote @ Wombat

Cranberry wrote:
Quote @ msheldon
Quote:
Hmm, that would be A (major).

One of my more heavily used whistles.

I meant a whistle that XXX XXX is B and 'normal' playing produces the minor scale...

Daniel Bingamon already produces whistles like this in some of the minor modes and would probably produce them in others if asked. As a matter of curiosity, why won't an a whistle do the job you want done well enough?

I don't need any 'job done', I just stated I'd like to have a 'true' B minor whistle. An A whistle probably would do the job, but that wasn't what I wanted in a perfect world, just within the talk of odd and unusual keys (the subject of this post). And, I admit, I just like to be special.

Now stop grilling me, people (half kidding

)!

Tak_the_whistler · Post by **Tak_the_whistler** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 4:04 am

Yeah!! Yeaahhhh!!!!! Symphony in B!!!!!!!!

(gasp)

Second keys are important as well, aren't they? but with a Modal D/C, you can have third (G) and even fourth (F)...

Feadan, good suggestion about C#. but I can't afford one yet.

Wait...maybe someone can make me a, say, Modal C#/B

T
------------------------------------
What stings you with hideous hook?
What follows the letter A?
Now I know you know you want it
Whistle in the key of ___ !

Daniel_Bingamon · Post by **Daniel_Bingamon** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 8:50 pm

Yes, I do make a whistle that play B as a bell note and proceeds up through the minor key. That is harmonic, melodic or natural minor scales.

Minor keys are great!