FJohnSharp wrote:What I think makes the Hoovers a little less easy to play is the clogging issue, which requires a bit of attention. Also they're easy to overblow and are harder to just pick up and play without knowing how they like to be played.
That's the thing about a lot of the higher quality whistles - they often require a bit more attention to bring out their best. When you do, their best can be magical, but they're a bit harder for a beginner to deal with.
The thing about Sweetones is that they are forgiving, consistent, and have few quirks to play around. I don't hate the sound as some do, but it doesn't really move me, either. But I'd much rather start a beginner off with a Sweetone than a random Generation or Walton's. Once they have some experience under their belt they can decide if they want a different sound. And if they get a bad whistle, they'll be confident that it IS the whistle rather than themself.
Now that I think about it, we seem to be conflating two different things: inconsistent whistles that need to be tweaked to play well, and better quality whistles that require more technique to master.
Sweetones are about the cheapest way to avoid both issues when starting out, I think. And once you've got the basic skills down you can deal with either of the others with confidence.
I think the first (inconsistent QC of many cheapies) is the bigger issue, anyway. Some whistles require more attention than others, but the even most demanding is still a lot easier than flute, or the pipes, or sax, or (my nemesis) oboe.
Gave it to Mack Hoover.
, Sweetones are rather consistent in their sound and playing characteristics. In my opinion, searching through dozens of them to find a good one would be a fruitless exercise.
and I'm looking forward to that as well. 