What should I get for my first high end whistle?
What should I get for my first high end whistle?
I am looking at finally getting a higher end whistle. I am hoping some of you could help me out with my decision.
These are the characteristics I am looking for:
- not big. I have small hands.
- not a huge breath requirement. asthma.
- at least average in volume. I'd like to be able to play this at moderately loud sessions and not fade away.
- handles wind well. I want to be able to play it at festivals and things and not have it drop out too often when the wind blows across the window.
- not completely pure. I like a bit of breathiness and a bit of funk in the sound.
I don't really care about materials but I think weatherproof would be best. Metal or dymandwood or something.
Thanks!
-Derek-
These are the characteristics I am looking for:
- not big. I have small hands.
- not a huge breath requirement. asthma.
- at least average in volume. I'd like to be able to play this at moderately loud sessions and not fade away.
- handles wind well. I want to be able to play it at festivals and things and not have it drop out too often when the wind blows across the window.
- not completely pure. I like a bit of breathiness and a bit of funk in the sound.
I don't really care about materials but I think weatherproof would be best. Metal or dymandwood or something.
Thanks!
-Derek-
- kkrell
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Wooden Flute Obsession CDs (3 volumes, 6 discs, 7 hours, 120 players/tracks)
https://www.worldtrad.org
- dwinterfield
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- Tell us something.: I play whistles. I sell whistles. This seems just a BIT excessive to the cause. A sentence or two is WAY less than 100 characters.
I have an Alba High D for sale. It even has the benefit of being nearly clog proof!!! Even my wife can't clog it and she clogs ever other whistle we own.
Shoot me an email and we can discuss it more.
Shoot me an email and we can discuss it more.
Steven - IDAwHOa - Wood Rocks
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"If you keep asking questions.... You keep getting answers." - Miss Frizzle - The Magic School Bus
- PhilO
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The Burke brass black tip is a great whistle - my everyday player. However, I don't know how it is "in the wind." The best whistle I've ever played outdoors is the Copeland, perhaps having something to do with its conical shape (and raised windway on models lower than soprano D). However, the cost is considerably more. Although the air requirements are a bit more than most high D whistles (certainly including the Burke), I think in that key whistle especially it's more to do with learning where it's appropriate to take a breath and doing it often enough throughout a tune. You can certainly push it and it has ample volume in both octaves, $300+ pricetag notwithstanding.
Finally, the Burke is pretty pure although you get some nice overtones in the lower octave in the latest models. The costly Copeland is generally rife with resonance and overtones.
Philo
Finally, the Burke is pretty pure although you get some nice overtones in the lower octave in the latest models. The costly Copeland is generally rife with resonance and overtones.
Philo
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Wanderer's <a href="http://www.tinwhistler.com/music/review ... sp">recent review</a> of the Burke <b>aluminum</b> noted the following:PhilO wrote:The Burke brass black tip is a great whistle - my everyday player. However, I don't know how it is "in the wind."
<blockquote><b>Wind Resistance:</b> Practically none. This whistle doesn't even like my car's air conditioning set on high. Slight breezes knock it out. Definitely an indoor whistle.</blockquote>I have no idea if the Burke brass whistles are any different in this respect.
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To be fair, my review is of the Burke Al-Pro, and Michael may have made improvements in wind resistance in his newer models. I can't say one way or the other.Craig Stuntz wrote:Wanderer's <a href="http://www.tinwhistler.com/music/review ... sp">recent review</a> of the Burke <b>aluminum</b> noted the following:PhilO wrote:The Burke brass black tip is a great whistle - my everyday player. However, I don't know how it is "in the wind."
<blockquote><b>Wind Resistance:</b> Practically none. This whistle doesn't even like my car's air conditioning set on high. Slight breezes knock it out. Definitely an indoor whistle.</blockquote>I have no idea if the Burke brass whistles are any different in this respect.
I second Monkey's vote for the Silkstone alloy..it's a great whistle, and will probably satisfy the "not too pure" requirement. It has it's own complex sound. The Copeland, of course, is a given..and I used one myself extensively performing outdoors at the Texas Renaissance Festival. The one I have is a little on the pure side, though (which I like just fine). Perhaps the Sweetheart Pro would make a good choice, too..it's pretty wind resistant.
Of all of these, the new Sweetheart Pro has the lowest breath requirements. It's difficult to find a good wind-resistant whistle that doesn't require at least average breath requirements, though. My recent Hoover PVC is the surprisng exception that I've run into..it worked fairly well in a decent breeze, without requiring a lot of breath.
- Redwolf
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I have to say that the best whistle I have for playing outdoors is my Sweetheart Pro. Nothing knocks that baby out. Might be a bit purer in tone than you want, though.
I haven't played the Burke outdoors much, because it's a bit quiet for Morris Dancing, so I can't say how it might handle wind.
Redwolf
I haven't played the Burke outdoors much, because it's a bit quiet for Morris Dancing, so I can't say how it might handle wind.
Redwolf
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