.. and i like it very much!
I especially like the fact that the second octave is not much louder than the first and it's not required a lot of pressure to flip into it. But the thing I like most is the chiffy, airy sound that the whistle produces.. I don't know, to me sounds like the sound of tradition
I like them too, but...
A: they can suck a lot of wind out of you.
B: Because the metal is so thin and bendable, I'm always tempted to make adjustments to them. In fact I adjusted on today at lunch hour. I've destroyed a couple this way.
The Clarkes are known for that airy sound. The original D I have is easily the most comfortable on the lip of any of my whistles although the NPL (Notes Per Lungful) factor for it, well... sucks (easily half of what I get from most other whistles). The Sweetone that I have is similar in tone, but doesn't require as much air. Either way, the Clarkes have the sweetest tone from what I have played, almost flute-like.
Last edited by Steamwalker on Tue Jun 12, 2007 5:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I just got my first Clarke Original, too. I've been playing mostly on a Feadog, and I was shocked at how much air the Original sucks out of you! A song that I can whip through on the Feadog takes almost twice as many breaths on the Clarke. It has a really nice tone when you fill it up, though. I call it a winner.
benbrad wrote:I love the sound of a Clarke in the morning . . . . it sounds like victory.
I once played the Lark in the Morning on a Clarke in the Morning. It was pretty surreal.
I love Clarkes too. And those Cooperman ripoffs could be a lot worse Though I'm moving back to the Generation/Feadog type, mostly 'cause of the air requirement, yeah. It's not too tiring, but I'm not at a level where I can find that many good spots to breathe without killing the lift of a tune. Same reason I don't play trad on my flute much (though it's actually quite a bit better).
Ohhh Clarke! he was my first whistle, I adore his so pure and smooth, ideal sound for alone sessions, I can play it with my daughter sleeping and not wake up it, in addition thanks to he lets smoke; was impossible to play a Clarke if you smoke.
I realize that due to their design Clarke Original's inherently require more air, but I think it needs to be pointed out to those put off by the "high air requirerment" that it also depends on the player. One of my other hobbies is distance running, so I have never had a problem with the amount of air required to play a Clarke - and a good thing too since to my ear's you can't beat the sound - especially for ~$10.
Kerry wrote:I realize that due to their design Clarke Original's inherently require more air, but I think it needs to be pointed out to those put off by the "high air requirerment" that it also depends on the player. One of my other hobbies is distance running, so I have never had a problem with the amount of air required to play a Clarke - and a good thing too since to my ear's you can't beat the sound - especially for ~$10.
As with the Generation whistle, the "quality" varies a little from whistle to whistle. They are hand made, and not exatly the same. Even though the individual differences are minute. It maight therefore be a good idea to buy a batch and pick out the best. A really good Clarke is a gem! And, if I may add, I´m the very proud owner of one! (even though I tend to get dizzy from playing it...) It´s very good for slow airs.
Whitmores75087 wrote:B: Because the metal is so thin and bendable, I'm always tempted to make adjustments to them. In fact I adjusted on today at lunch hour. I've destroyed a couple this way.
If I'm not mistaken, you can reduce the air requirements some by flattening the airway and bend the blade around to tweak it. There's been several threads on tweating Clarke's. Because the metal bends, the tweaking is reversable, up to a point. Buy a handful and have some fun. If you destroy one, do what I do: I put it in a box on the top shelf of my closet; they will give my kids something to do after the wake.
The Walrus
What would a wild walrus whistle if a walrus could whistle wild?
The second mouse may get the cheese but the presentation leaves a lot to be desired.
that is a great whistle, it was my first.
