Beginner in need of advice

Benthewhistler · Post by **Benthewhistler** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 6:13 pm

I just recently fell in love with Irish music and have decided to learn to play it. I purchased a Clarke Sweetone whistle in the key of D and was wondering if I made a good choice and if anyone had any advice for me. I also play harmonica, and I have read that it is gaining popularity in Celtic music. Does anyone know how to play Celtic Harmonica?

Anyway, any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks a lot!

Miwokhill · Post by **Miwokhill** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 6:32 pm

There's a recent thread over on the Irish traditional music forum on celtic harmonica. Glen Weiser has a very nice book of Irish and American fiddle tunes for harmonica. It comes with a cd that has some of the tunes in the book. You could get it through amazon. -- Personally I'd get Syn whistle from Erle Bartlett- $30. for the head and $5.00 each for the barrels that fit that head. So for $60. you could get a whistle and 6 different keys. Go for it before the price goes up next month. Find syn whistles in a thread in the last few days and PM him for info. -- If you know how to read music you may want to just get a book such as 121 favorite Irish Session Tunes by L.E McCullough. (amazon but thru used and new seller, it's cheaper) This book also comes with 4 cds with all the tunes. --mike

jonharl · Post by **jonharl** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 6:34 pm

Do you play chromatic or diatonic harmonica? You can try Brendan Powers' web site for both types of harmonica.

Welcome!

Redwolf · Post by **Redwolf** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 6:35 pm

First: Yes...good choice of a first whistle!

Second: As soon as you can, get a copy of Bill Ochs tin whistle book:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... s&n=507846

(You can buy just the book by itself, but I couldn't find it at Amazon). It's a great basic tutor and, if you work your way through it, you'll have a solid feel for the instrument.

Third: Listen, listen, listen. Use every opportunity you have to listen to Irish music in general and tin whistle players in particular.

Finally: Keep coming back here for comaraderie, advice and encouragement!

Redwolf

Benthewhistler · Post by **Benthewhistler** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 7:32 pm

Hey, thanks everyone, I will start checking out these books and such right away!

izzarina · Post by **izzarina** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 9:12 pm

along with a once piece nickel plated Clare, the Sweetone was my first whistle. It's a great whistle to learn on....it's easy to use and has a great sound.
And I second the Ochs book. It by far the best one to get when you are starting out.
Oh, and welcome to the wonderful world of whistles, and may you not be plagued by WhOA....at least not right away!

amar · Post by **amar** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 2:46 am

Benthewhistler, i love your signature.

claudine · Post by **claudine** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 3:43 am

that's Ben the Monty-Python-fan -> ?

Koss · Post by **Koss** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 4:42 am

I will not buy this record(er), it is scratched.

amar ....is this from Scotty ?

vomitbunny · Post by **vomitbunny** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 6:26 am

Interesting that this thread started when it did. I just ordered a handful of harmonicas with the same intent of playing celtic music. Got a couple each of Cs, Ds, and Gs, and a chromatic.

amar · Post by **amar** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 6:34 am

Koss wrote:
I will not buy this record(er), it is scratched.
amar ....is this from Scotty ?

no, it's from here, check it out!

http://www.geocities.com/fang_club/hung ... ebook.html

Benthewhistler · Post by **Benthewhistler** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 7:23 am

actually, my signature is from Groucho Marx of the Marx brothers, but I do love Monty Python.

claudine · Post by **claudine** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 9:57 am

Shame on me!

fearfaoin · Post by **fearfaoin** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 2:18 pm

vomitbunny wrote:Got a couple each of Cs, Ds, and Gs, and a chromatic.

Why do you need pairs of each key? One to play and one to tweak?

Actually, I had heard of a guy who started to create his own harmonica system.
He takes chromatic harmonicas (which have a button you press for sharps and flats,
for those who don't know), and removes the spring for the button, so it stays in
when you push it. Then he puts in new reeds to get a harmonica that plays (diatonicly)
in two different keys, selected by the button. So you can play in D for one song, then
press the key in and play in C for another song. I though it was rather clever.

vomitbunny · Post by **vomitbunny** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 2:49 pm

To some degree to tweak. Some people tune them differently for different reasons. And to some degree just to get some different harps in my hands. See how they feel. Like buying cheap whistle. They're cheap, so go ahead and buy a handfull. Like whistles, a hundred dollars can buy a whole heap of whistles if you stick with cheaper ones, some will be at least average and better than average. Like whistles. Not a lot of instruments where your dollar goes that far. My last trombone went for 1500 retail, back in the mid 80's. Violins, pianos and harps can run in the trillions, so I'm told.

Chiff and Fipple Forums

Beginner in need of advice

Beginner in need of advice

THANKS!

!

Re: !