Would the 'Old Geezers' have played Low Whistle?
- kevin m.
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Would the 'Old Geezers' have played Low Whistle?
I was listening to Packie Manus Byrne playing an Overton low G whistle on the album 'Donegal and back!', and this got me thinking- would any of the old players have used low whistle if given the oppportunity?
O.K.- I know that Micho Russell,for example played Flute (and I expect that the standard answer will be "why would they play Low Whistle,when they could have played Flute?"),and that Willie Clancy play Pipes (would HE have taken to low whistle,like so many U.Pipers have these days?)
Just a bit of idle speculation.
Ideas/comments anyone?
O.K.- I know that Micho Russell,for example played Flute (and I expect that the standard answer will be "why would they play Low Whistle,when they could have played Flute?"),and that Willie Clancy play Pipes (would HE have taken to low whistle,like so many U.Pipers have these days?)
Just a bit of idle speculation.
Ideas/comments anyone?
"I blame it on those Lead Fipples y'know."
- SteveShaw
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This is a purely subjective view based on very little experience (all that can be summed up in the word PREJUDICE! ) but you seem to hear quite a few young flash 'arrys playing the low whistle these days (younger than me anyway). Damn good - but SOUL....? Gimme a good ol' breathy flute any day - or just Micho...or Mary Bergin....
Steve
Steve
"Last night, among his fellow roughs,
He jested, quaff'd and swore."
They cut me down and I leapt up high
I am the life that'll never, never die.
I'll live in you if you'll live in me -
I am the lord of the dance, said he!
He jested, quaff'd and swore."
They cut me down and I leapt up high
I am the life that'll never, never die.
I'll live in you if you'll live in me -
I am the lord of the dance, said he!
- colomon
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- Tell us something.: Whistle player, aspiring C#/D accordion and flute player, and aspiring tunesmith. Particularly interested in the music of South Sligo and Newfoundland. Inspired by the music of Peter Horan, Fred Finn, Rufus Guinchard, Emile Benoit, and Liz Carroll.
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Seems like a lot of the "Geezers" switched from flute to D or C whistle in their old age -- look at all the people pictured with whistles in Trip to Sligo who are listed as playing flute. So it doesn't seem a great stretch to imagine that some of them might have chosen, say, a low F whistle, if a good one had been available.
Sol's Tunes (new tune 2/2020)
I think it's more useful to look at the reason why older players played the flute: for strength and volume to play at dances. The low whistle would not have been useful for that at all.
Other than that who knows. Traditional musicians are often very practical people. I heard one person once say he didn't like the low whislte 'but the yanks get a great buzz off it' so he played it on tour.
How many serious traditional musicians today do you know who play traditional music on the low whistle (John Wynne is one), that should give some indication.
Other than that who knows. Traditional musicians are often very practical people. I heard one person once say he didn't like the low whislte 'but the yanks get a great buzz off it' so he played it on tour.
How many serious traditional musicians today do you know who play traditional music on the low whistle (John Wynne is one), that should give some indication.
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- Cynth
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I don't like that "Celtic twilight" sound at all. But I have to say I have heard some very non-twilight playing from piano accordions.
I have a question. I have some concertina recordings by musicians in Ireland. I had thought that instrument was considered a good one for Irish music. I haven't really been in the situation of comparing the sound of concertinas with piano accordions---too long a time between listenings---but is piano accordion considered to not sound right by purists? It seems to sound good to me. I am thinking of one player in particular, Paddy O'Brien of Minneapolis. I think his accordion has piano keys. It's okay if people don't like it, that won't alter my opinion of his playing. But I am just curious about whether there is a general opinion I was unaware of.
I have a question. I have some concertina recordings by musicians in Ireland. I had thought that instrument was considered a good one for Irish music. I haven't really been in the situation of comparing the sound of concertinas with piano accordions---too long a time between listenings---but is piano accordion considered to not sound right by purists? It seems to sound good to me. I am thinking of one player in particular, Paddy O'Brien of Minneapolis. I think his accordion has piano keys. It's okay if people don't like it, that won't alter my opinion of his playing. But I am just curious about whether there is a general opinion I was unaware of.
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- Nanohedron
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Just to set the record straight, Cynth, Paddy plays B/C button box (don't know what make is his weapon of choice). Nice and liquid-sounding.Cynth wrote:I don't like that "Celtic twilight" sound at all. But I have to say I have heard some very non-twilight playing from piano accordions.
I have a question. I have some concertina recordings by musicians in Ireland. I had thought that instrument was considered a good one for Irish music. I haven't really been in the situation of comparing the sound of concertinas with piano accordions---too long a time between listenings---but is piano accordion considered to not sound right by purists? It seems to sound good to me. I am thinking of one player in particular, Paddy O'Brien of Minneapolis. I think his accordion has piano keys. It's okay if people don't like it, that won't alter my opinion of his playing. But I am just curious about whether there is a general opinion I was unaware of.
- Cynth
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Jimmy Keane in Bohola---that's the fellow! I looked him up and saw a picture of the group and I recognized one of the people. That was quite a concert. The audience wanted, and got, an encore but I really felt it should not have been asked of them. He was obviously really beat from his great efforts. Thanks rh for bringing up his name.
- Nanohedron
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Oh, yeah: also a mod here, not a spammer. A matter of opinion, perhaps. - Location: Lefse country
- SteveShaw
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It's like any instrument. It's not the instrument, it's the player and his/her attitude. Same with bodhrans. Piano accordions are perfectly capable of being played well and idiomatically (e.g. by Karen Tweed) but, sadly, this is the rare exception rather than the rule. Because of their loud volume they are very intrusive when not played well, which is why morale suddenly sags when an unknown piano accordionist turns up to join in. Same with bodhrans and ~ahem~ harmonicas....Cynth wrote:......but is piano accordion considered to not sound right by purists? It seems to sound good to me.....
Steve
"Last night, among his fellow roughs,
He jested, quaff'd and swore."
They cut me down and I leapt up high
I am the life that'll never, never die.
I'll live in you if you'll live in me -
I am the lord of the dance, said he!
He jested, quaff'd and swore."
They cut me down and I leapt up high
I am the life that'll never, never die.
I'll live in you if you'll live in me -
I am the lord of the dance, said he!
- MurphyStout
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Colomon, what alot of those old dudes did was they switched down to G, F and Eb flutes which are alot less demanding. I can't speculate on whether or not they would play the low whistle but I kinda agree with Peter in regards to dancing. Low whistles just don't cut it.
As far as I know button accordians are better but I've heard some really nice music on piano accordions as well.
As far as I know button accordians are better but I've heard some really nice music on piano accordions as well.
No I'm not returning...
- djm
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I've also heard some really accomplished piano accordianists, but I just don't care for the sound of most free reed instruments, so it may well depend on the tastes of the listener.
re. flutes versus whistles, I thought the old timers gave up the fulte when they lost their lower front teeth.
djm
re. flutes versus whistles, I thought the old timers gave up the fulte when they lost their lower front teeth.
djm
I'd rather be atop the foothills than beneath them.