Sam McReynolds and I had a conversation the other day about whistles.
He stated a thought that (on reflection) made so much sense to me I just had to share it here, especially since there are a couple of threads where Clarkes are getting cussed and discussed.
The crux of the argument goes like this: you should start learning whistle on the Clarke original, and shouldn't move to another whistle until you've played for at least a few months on the Clarke.
Learning on the Clarke, so the conversation progressed, gives you a kind of baseline, an understanding of where the modern pennywhistle came from. Then when you move to other whistles, you have the background to understand better what their strengths are and how to better take advantage of them.
The more I think on this, the more I think he's on to something here.
Tell us something.: I used to be a regular then I took up the bassoon. Bassoons don't have a lot of chiff. Not really, I have always been a drummer, and my C&F years were when I was a little tired of the drums. Now I'm back playing drums. I mist the C&F years, though.
I like the idea of getting grounded in the original tinwhistle sound, but I agree that the breath requirement is a problem. Sweetones are popular starter whistles because they're also cheap, and so easy to play.
FJohnSharp wrote:I don't know. I think the breath management issues would discourage people.
That's not bad, right? Thins the field a little.
I think Jerry is right on the money: Sweetones are more like the high-end whistles of today (except for volume), they're in tune, and cheap. Generations can be murder, they're so bad sometimes. (I'm writing this just to see someone else post "yes, but a good Generations is a wonder!").
I do love the sound of the Clarkes and Shawns, though. My first whistle was a Clarke original, in C; i prefer the Shawn a little over the Clarke.
On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog!
--Wellsprings--
Don't go with this one...some people (me included) won't like the feel of the mouthpiece on a Clarke original. I gave mine away the other day pretty much as new to a friend whose beloved old friend - his Shaw D - was lying at the bottom of the sea! I don't miss it, and he's happy...or would be if he could get a top C sharp out of it...
I think the Clarke has the easiest breath management of any whistle I have ever used.
After years and years of playing whistles from Michale Burke to Meg, I consistantly pick up one of my Clarke original design D.
I love playing my C as well, but the band has string instrument players in it and you know they can't pick up a different one to play like I can.
I even started playing on my Generations again and it seems like it takes a lot more breath pressure control in the upper octave to play it in tune than does the Clarke.
I started on a Clarke original, but I'd played wind instrument before, so the breath control wasn't an issue. But the Sweetone is probably best for not discouraging folks.
I started on a Clarke C. If the fipple hadn't fallen out, I'd still be playing it. One of these days, I'm gonna remember to just epoxy that sucker back in place...
I think there is a certain amount of variation in the Clarkes, though not to the degree that Generation has... I think a slight flattening of the windway to reduce breath requirements is a good idea. My older Clarke D has a lower windway than a newer one I bought a couple of years later. That older one is one of my true treasures.
So, I agree that Clarke is a great place to start. It gives the history of the instrument, the breathiness, the fairly forgiving lower octave that beginners should have (meaning, it doesn't tend to squeak on the lower notes or to fall silent on the bottom d, both of which I have had happen on higher-end instruments), and it looks great. I love the gold diamonds.
I have a couple of more valuable whistles and have played a few others. I like my Sweetheart (old style), but the oomph needed in the second register puts it out of the beginner category. I enjoy my Tully, but it really favors the top end and the lower d, e, and f# are a little picky. Erik did some tweaking at my request and it is better, but it just isn't ever going to be truly solid at the bottom end. I have played Erik's Bussman and it is lovely, but not a beginner's instrument. Likewise the Overton.
With a Clarke, you don't need to think about the back pressure, the careful breath control on the bottom notes, the numb lip from the poison Oak, etc. You just play it.
I love Clarke whistles. They are humble, but really quite lovely in every way I think a cheap instrument can possibly be.
The "breath control requirements" of Clarke originals are not that bad, and, honestly, I think the few weeks needed to learn not to be sucked out by the Clarke are well invested. Yes, in the beginning one might only be able to play shorter phrases - so what?
But I'm weird anyway - I don't like Sweetones and love Generations (send your "unplayable" ones my way, I'll give them a loving home!), and am not attracted by high-enders either, except for the weird keys cheapos are not available in.
Read: I second that suggestion. Clarkes are lovely.
I am a bumbling beginner with a Clarke D. It's working out. I have no previous experience with wind instruments, so that part's a little tough. But it seems nice enough not to scare me away from whistling.
BTW I like the diamonds. They add sort of an art-deco element.
Unreasonable person,
ants
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I just happened to start on a Clarke C that was part of the Bill Ochs package at the time; I've always loved the look and tone of that whistle and still have it. The only problem to varying degrees on different Clarkes was the somewhat sharp bottom edge of the tin which was a bit uncomfortable on the supporting thumb. All in all, though, what a great way to start!
Philo
"This is this; this ain't something else. This is this." - Robert DeNiro, "The Deer Hunter," 1978.
If I'd started on my old Clarke I'd never have gotten another one. No, that does not mean I'd never needed another one. That means I would not be a whistle player at all.
"Let low-country intruder approach a cove
And eyes as gray as icicle fangs measure stranger
For size, honesty, and intent." John Foster West
As one truely spoiled by hearing it when I hated it, TW music on a Clarke has no equal - IMO.
There used be debates about the dangers of the tradition falling apart when the Generation arrived. It didn't and whats more nowadays I see more Generations than Clarkes - come to think of it, haven't seen the little black snake in a longtime.
But in the right hands there is nothing quite like it.
