What is a Good Number of Whistles?

KDMARTINKY · Post by **KDMARTINKY** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 9:42 am

When I first started with the whistles, WHOA struck me hard and at one time I had over 90 of various conditions, playability, names, etc. Over time I have been able to control WHOA with a medication known as "WIFE" and have sold several whistles that for some I wish I hadn't have sold and for others I am glad I did.

Now I only have the follwing:
Chieftain Kerry Songbird Low D
Chieftain Gold Low D
Chieftain High D
SYN Large Bore Low D
Alba Tunable Low D
Cillian O'Briain Low F
Dixon Aluminum High D
David O'Brien High C
Burke Tunable Low A
Walton LBW
Oak High D

I have commissioned a Low C to be made by John McHaffie.

I believe that by continuing to take my "WIFE" medication WHOA will soon be a thing of my past.....

So I ask whats a good number of whistles to have?

Cayden · Post by **Cayden** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 9:48 am

One or two played well is better I suppose than a whole shipload that aren't.

I don't think you need many.

StevieJ · Post by **StevieJ** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:11 am

A few years ago on the previous Chiffboard (hosted by Coolboard) I devised a formula for testing purposes.

A = number of tunes you know (meaning you could perform them comfortably in public without notice)

B = total dollar value of all the whistles you own.

Divide A by B. The result is your Personal (Whistle) Acquisition Disorder Index or PWADI.

The higher the number, the better you are doing. If you know 1000 tunes and own whistles worth $100, your score is 10 - good going.

If it is less than one, you are in deep trouble. You know 100 tunes but your whistles are worth $1000. Index = 0.1. Sell some whistles and work on your repertoire!

Steve

PS This seemed to get under the skin of a couple of people at the time, at least one of whom is still around. So let me stress that it's to be taken light-heartedly.

Wombat · Post by **Wombat** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:19 am

I'd say 37. 38 seems a bit excessive. 36 doesn't seem quite enough.

brewerpaul · Post by **brewerpaul** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:10 am

The correct number of whistles is one.... one MORE that is!

Tommy · Post by **Tommy** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:24 am

No less than than one, and no more than the next one you need or want.

toughknot · Post by **toughknot** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:29 am

I figure if I own more whistles than the number of tunes I know I am a whistle collector as opposed to a whistle player.Currently by this definition I am a player by a small margin.

PhilO · Post by **PhilO** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:00 pm

I haven't yet arrived at the number. Peter's probably right though, and after you've done experimenting, you probably just need a few for whatever specific purpose (self enjoyment, church, session, recording, etc.) in whatever keys. But then again, you need home and away whistles too, right, for travel? Then you need those that carry well outdoors and those that are quiet for indoors; then those that invoke or befit certain moods; nah, Peter's wrong.

What I just couldn't part with and are by definition necessary:

Eflat - Copeland brass
D - Burke black tip brass, Copeland, Sindt
C - Burke black tip brass, a loaner Copeland that I'm becoming increasingly attached to, Sindt, Walton Golden Tone
Bflat - Abell
A - Copeland
G - Copeland

Also my original high ender - cocobolo Thin Weasel and all my O'Riordan Travelers (D/C, G and D).

Then there are the away whistles including the two-piece Clare and all the Water Weasels.

So, uh, the absolute minimum is 20....

Philo

bradhurley · Post by **bradhurley** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:12 pm

I'd say the ideal would be one each of the following:

Eb
D
C
Bb

and one low whistle, I'd go for an F.

That makes a total of five, which is pretty close to the extent of my own whistle collection, although my low whistle is a G and I have three D whistles but only play one (the Sindt).

OutOfBreath · Post by **OutOfBreath** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:57 pm

Just one more...

anniemcu · Post by **anniemcu** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 3:23 pm

I'd say, a couple more than I have at any given time...

FJohnSharp · Post by **FJohnSharp** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 3:38 pm

The correct number is one of each.

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 3:42 pm

Two attractive things about whistle to me are, first, that they are so inexpensive compared to almost all other musical instruments, and, second, that there are so many different sounds and playing characteristics available.

This inexpensive diversity is hard to find in any other instrument I'm aware of (except perhaps harmonica).

--James

Tyghress · Post by **Tyghress** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 3:56 pm

Well, I get good use out of most of the keys that I've bought (low D and G, A, Bflat, C, D (not counting the high F yet as I haven't found a use for it but REALLY wanted something high) and the Hava Rabba).

Of the duplicates, I feel as if I need two 'good' whistles in the house, and one sturdy D for each car. Tyghre has his own small stash, two whistles.

The whistles I've bought as much for their artistic beauty as for their playability are in a class of their own...as are the ones that I keep around just to show that a 3 dollar whistle does indeed play a recognizable tune.

So I'm in the 'just one more' camp....and that is an E whistle or whistle body.

But I'm about to divest of some. If they're good whistles and not being played, its silly to keep 'em.

perrins57 · Post by **perrins57** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 4:10 pm

Wombat wrote:I'd say 37. 38 seems a bit excessive. 36 doesn't seem quite enough.

Unless you plan on giving some away, then you need more to start with so you wont be left short!