I hate to call them whistles...

[Tommy]

I like calling it a whistle; it's a simple, basic, nonpretentious name for a simple, basic instrument that is used primarily for playing peasant music. And it's no accident that in a folk context people use the term "fiddle" rather than violin; it distinguishes the context: high culture versus folk culture--both extremely valuable.
Finally, if you go back and look at your McCullough tutors, you'll find that the word "whistle" has its own fairly venerable history.

I think fiddles and violins have the same body but differant strings.

[Cynth]

Thank you Tommy for clearing that up for me
I was just about to post and ask that very question, since I received my Feadog yesterday.
But seriously, folks (ok not too seriously) how do you pronounce Feadog?

Thanks-
**Tina

That question comes up a lot. Here is an old post in which the head of the company explains how to say it:

I decided to go straight to the horse's mouth, so I emailed Feadog from thier website and got the following reply:

Dear John,

Thank you for your enquiry. I am delighted you are enjoying playing the Feadóg.
Your enquiry isn't the first I have had with regards to the pronunciation of Feadóg. The best explanation I have is as follows: I was discussing this with a colleague and we have different ways of pronouncing it because I'm from Donegal and he is from Dublin!! The best we can come up with is: Fah-doh-g (Fah, as in "do, re, me, fah, so, etc") Doh (Doh as in Homer Simpson "Doh!" or dough used in a cake) G (G-irl): "Fah-doh-g" and it is the Irish for "whistle". I hope this helps!

If there is anything else I can help you with, please do not hesitate to contact me. Remember to keep an eye out for news and product developments on our website, http://www.feadog.ie!

Kind Regards
Paul McCarron
Feadóg "Original Irish Whistle"
Tel: +353 1 456 9533
Fax: +353 1 456 9535
E-mail: whistles@feadog.ie

Paul continues to provide quick service - I got the reply less than 24 hours after sending him my question.

I guess language is the same all over - i.e. it ain't the same. Don't get me started on "pecan."

http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php ... on&start=0

[alpacama]

Hi Cynth-
Thanks for clearing that up!
I'm always learning something new here
Now, if I can figure out why my reply was posted twice... sorry about that, I must have hit the wrong button

**Tina

[Nanohedron]

A pype hyghte Fistula...

It just occurred to me that "fistula" and "whistle" look to be be related words, like "fiddle" and "viol", or "guitar" and "cittern".

Don't know if I'll call it a fistula. That's one of the more hilarious words in the language to me.

[emmline]

I think fiddles and violins have the same body but differant strings.

Same body, different spirit.

[Nanohedron]

WTA, don't worry about callin' 'em "whistles". They're of an ancient instrument line going back to prehistory, no matter what you call 'em. Their nobility has kept them with us to this day.

Simple of construction; not so simple to play well. Those who'd consider them toys just need a little kind guidance. If they don't get it then, what can you do but keep playing, after all?

[FJohnSharp]

I think fiddles and violins have the same body but differant strings.

Same body, different spirit.

I think, if I read correctly once, that fiddles for Irish music don't have the rich bottom end that classical violins have. This may be partly the strings and partly the body.

A super smart fiddle person (or Bloomfield) can correct me if I'm wrong.

[Nanohedron]

I think fiddles and violins have the same body but differant strings.

Same body, different spirit.

I think, if I read correctly once, that fiddles for Irish music don't have the rich bottom end that classical violins have. This may be partly the strings and partly the body.

A super smart fiddle person (or Bloomfield) can correct me if I'm wrong.

Some fiddlers have a slight difference in the shape of the bridge top. Also, many don't clean off the rosin from the body as it contributes to a thinner tone. I understand rosin is bad for the finish, though.

[Tommy]

Same body, different spirit.

I think, if I read correctly once, that fiddles for Irish music don't have the rich bottom end that classical violins have. This may be partly the strings and partly the body.

A super smart fiddle person (or Bloomfield) can correct me if I'm wrong.

Some fiddlers have a slight difference in the shape of the bridge top. Also, many don't clean off the rosin from the body as it contributes to a thinner tone. I understand rosin is bad for the finish, though.

Is there a fiddler in the house?

[Dale]

daleophone

[William T. Anderson]

LOL!

WTA

[Whitmores75087]

In both Spanish and French it's an "Irish Flute". I have a guitar playing friend who calls it an Irish pipe, which works because it's singular and therefore not to be confused with the pipes.
De Danann were on the radio once and called it "flute". I guess they didn't have the time or inclination to explain.
I call it a whistle when speaking to those who know, and Irish flute when speaking with the un-initiated.

[Nanohedron]

I think, if I read correctly once, that fiddles for Irish music don't have the rich bottom end that classical violins have. This may be partly the strings and partly the body.

A super smart fiddle person (or Bloomfield) can correct me if I'm wrong.

Some fiddlers have a slight difference in the shape of the bridge top. Also, many don't clean off the rosin from the body as it contributes to a thinner tone. I understand rosin is bad for the finish, though.

Is there a fiddler in the house?

For what it's worth, a fiddler told me that stuff. There was one fiddler who came to a session who announced that she'd just cleaned her fiddle, and another fiddler said to her, "But that way you get rid of all the whiskey and vomit! That's no good at all."

[mutepointe]

i get people calling it "that flutey thing" or "that anorexic recorder." once they hear it though, they still don't remember the name, but they do remember the sound. i'm a rather frugal person to start with so i don't mind in the least calling it a pennywhistle.

[Congratulations]

I love telling people I play whistle, because they always go, "Oh, like this?" and start doing the Andy Griffith theme.

I mean, literally, every time. It must be because I live in the South.

Then I get to correct them and tell them I play IRISH whistle, at which point they ask me if I'm Irish, and I say "No," and then their interest runs out and they mention how hot it's been lately.