SZBE Very High Mini F (with pix and clip)
- MTGuru
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SZBE Very High Mini F (with pix and clip)
I was lucky enough to get one of these last year from the maker, Ken Matsusaka of SZBE Whistles in Japan. While intended as a novelty item or pendant, it is actually a fully functional miniature VERY high F whistle! A few photos will give an idea of the finish, detail, and scale in my average-sized hand:
The finish is antiqued brass with inscribed decorative rings near the head and foot. For another comparison, here it is side by side with a standard high D Feadóg:
And here is some detail of the Delrin head and fipple. The windway is curved, similar in design to the Sindt, and a smaller version of Ken's standard SZBE high whistles. You can see the ring for attaching a pendant chain:
Of course, the big question is, does it play? My fingers are much too large to cover the holes normally. But by using a 4-finger technique (T1, T2, B1, B2 only) I managed work out a more or less usable fingering:
Kesh Jig in Bb on SZBE Mini F (Mp3)
The whistle is actually well in tune with F and with itself, and it has a pleasant, bright tone for such a small, high voice. And some practice would probably improve my dodgy fingering. Here it is in 4-fingered playing position:
I'm not sure if Ken is still making these, but his care and craftsmanship are remarkable. I also have his new SZBE aluminum high D with the convertible foot joints (long and short). It's a fine instrument and a favorite of mine.
The finish is antiqued brass with inscribed decorative rings near the head and foot. For another comparison, here it is side by side with a standard high D Feadóg:
And here is some detail of the Delrin head and fipple. The windway is curved, similar in design to the Sindt, and a smaller version of Ken's standard SZBE high whistles. You can see the ring for attaching a pendant chain:
Of course, the big question is, does it play? My fingers are much too large to cover the holes normally. But by using a 4-finger technique (T1, T2, B1, B2 only) I managed work out a more or less usable fingering:
Kesh Jig in Bb on SZBE Mini F (Mp3)
The whistle is actually well in tune with F and with itself, and it has a pleasant, bright tone for such a small, high voice. And some practice would probably improve my dodgy fingering. Here it is in 4-fingered playing position:
I'm not sure if Ken is still making these, but his care and craftsmanship are remarkable. I also have his new SZBE aluminum high D with the convertible foot joints (long and short). It's a fine instrument and a favorite of mine.
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That's the cutest thing I've ever seen! Ken is one heck of a whistle maker. I have one of his brass High Ds and it's my favorite D. I don't think he's doing much in the whistle dept right now though. I had been talking to him about making a C in brass for me and after asking him to make it I never heard back from him. He's been pretty focused on making uilleann pipes right now.
On a side note...I went and got a Reyburn Session C from Doc Jones and it rocks!
On a side note...I went and got a Reyburn Session C from Doc Jones and it rocks!
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this reminds me of the super high C whistle I got from the Whistle Shop a few years ago It was so small, one finger covered 2 holes. I learned to play Down by the Sally Gardens on it.
Last edited by Wanderer on Tue May 15, 2007 8:22 am, edited 2 times in total.
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- hathair_bláth
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I just asked Ken if the mini is still available. He says that he made a few of these on a trial basis as a proof of concept, and could make more now. But since the work involved is basically the same as for a full-size whistle, the price would also be comparable or higher. You can contact Ken and check out his other fine whistles and uilleann pipes at http://szbe.net
Yep, that's the technique involved. It's pretty dicey ...Wanderer wrote:this reminds me of the super high C whistle I got from the Whistle Shop a few years ago It was so small, one finger covered 2 holes. I learned to play Down by the Sally Gardens on it.
It's the perfect whistle for your avatar!hathair_bláth wrote:That is awesome! It's so tiny and cute!
- CapnDistracto
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Wow, what a keen sounding whistle for the size.
I actually just found out about SZBE whistles today and then saw your post. Great job managing to play with only four fingers and still have the Kesh Jig (mostly) recognizable!
I actually just found out about SZBE whistles today and then saw your post. Great job managing to play with only four fingers and still have the Kesh Jig (mostly) recognizable!
When life gives you lemons...
... Throw'em the hell back until it gives you the damn oranges you asked for in the first place.
... Throw'em the hell back until it gives you the damn oranges you asked for in the first place.
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