What should a Noob look for in a Whistle?
- Chatterton
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What should a Noob look for in a Whistle?
The whistle intrigues me when you consider the whole simplicity of engineering to beauty of tone ratio. So I'm figuring maybe I'll pick one up someday & I'm curious what the voice of experience would advise.
- cadancer
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Re: What should a Noob look for in a Whistle?
Geez... just go get one. They are less than $10.00.Chatterton wrote:...maybe I'll pick one up someday...
Of course, what comes after that is a whole 'nother story.... LOL
...john
- MTGuru
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Re: What should a Noob look for in a Whistle?
The green ones sound more Irish, and the blue ones are great for sad, slow airs.
Ditto what cadancer said. Get a Feadóg or Generation or Clarke, or all three. Pros play 'em. Study Brother Steve's pages, listen to recordings, learn some tunes, enjoy.
Unfortunately, this could be considered a classic wind-up question. I know you're a guitarist, so think of the reaction to the equivalent question: "I'm thinking of picking up a guitar. What should I get?" Without any information about your goals, tastes and experience, you're likely to get a thousand different opinions that may or may not apply to you.Chatterton wrote:The whistle intrigues me when you consider the whole simplicity of engineering to beauty of tone ratio. So I'm figuring maybe I'll pick one up someday & I'm curious what the voice of experience would advise.
Ditto what cadancer said. Get a Feadóg or Generation or Clarke, or all three. Pros play 'em. Study Brother Steve's pages, listen to recordings, learn some tunes, enjoy.
Last edited by MTGuru on Fri Aug 10, 2007 5:23 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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- Henke
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I'm acctually gonna break the trend and go on to recommend a certain whistle.
Clarke Sweetone.
They're easy to play and not too shrill. They sound nice and mellow, but still have good volume.
I don't play a Sweetone for gigs or anything else really, but I own a three (I think) and they're nice. Easy to pick up and play.
Clarke Sweetone.
They're easy to play and not too shrill. They sound nice and mellow, but still have good volume.
I don't play a Sweetone for gigs or anything else really, but I own a three (I think) and they're nice. Easy to pick up and play.
- Carey
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Actually, buy several cheapies. Partly because there is variation between whistles from the same maker and this will protect you from getting a clunker as your only whistle, and partly because different designs play differently, and it's fun to match the whistle to the tune or you mood.
For example I like to play Irish Rover (did I say that out loud?) on my Waltons D, and Foggy Dew on my Water Weasel A (what? two songs in a row? I really do play reels and jigs. Really!)
Anyway, it's fun to switch off, and cheap enough too.
For example I like to play Irish Rover (did I say that out loud?) on my Waltons D, and Foggy Dew on my Water Weasel A (what? two songs in a row? I really do play reels and jigs. Really!)
Anyway, it's fun to switch off, and cheap enough too.
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http://www.parkswhistles.com
http://www.parkswhistles.com
- Anita's Dad
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- I.D.10-t
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Re: What should a Noob look for in a Whistle?
Four questions,Chatterton wrote:The whistle intrigues me when you consider the whole simplicity of engineering to beauty of tone ratio. So I'm figuring maybe I'll pick one up someday & I'm curious what the voice of experience would advise.
1) Do you care about looks?
II) Do you care about tradition?
C) Do you care about price?
δ) Do you want something flexible or with rock solid pitch?
0101) Do you want to be loud?
I don't play the whistle, but I have found that putting a priority on what you are looking for helps others advise. I hope this helps. If it does not, find a muse where you can and enjoy playing what you find.
"Be not deceived by the sweet words of proverbial philosophy. Sugar of lead is a poison."
- Chatterton
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[quote=cadancer]Geez... just go get one. They are less than $10.00.[/quote]
Hey, I just got one. Right after posting my stupid question I went to a local street festival and there was a music shop selling everything for 10% off. So I grabbed a Feadóg (I'll go back to my "Gaelic for Morons (Like Me)" thread to figure out the pronunciation), and, as luck would have it, MTGuru, it's green to bring out the Irish in me. It doesn't sound too bad, and I'm sure I'll figure out how to get over that piercing shrieking sound as I'm trying to transition between octaves.
That's enough writing, I've got some learning to do.
Hey, I just got one. Right after posting my stupid question I went to a local street festival and there was a music shop selling everything for 10% off. So I grabbed a Feadóg (I'll go back to my "Gaelic for Morons (Like Me)" thread to figure out the pronunciation), and, as luck would have it, MTGuru, it's green to bring out the Irish in me. It doesn't sound too bad, and I'm sure I'll figure out how to get over that piercing shrieking sound as I'm trying to transition between octaves.
That's enough writing, I've got some learning to do.
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Feadogs are easy to tweak. Try ther search function on the word "tweak". Here's a link to get you started: http://www.chiffandfipple.com/tweak.html .Chatterton wrote:Hey, I just got one. Right after posting my stupid question I went to a local street festival and there was a music shop selling everything for 10% off. So I grabbed a Feadóg (I'll go back to my "Gaelic for Morons (Like Me)" thread to figure out the pronunciation), and, as luck would have it, MTGuru, it's green to bring out the Irish in me. It doesn't sound too bad, and I'm sure I'll figure out how to get over that piercing shrieking sound as I'm trying to transition between octaves.cadancer wrote:Geez... just go get one. They are less than $10.00.
That's enough writing, I've got some learning to do.
Feadog is a good choice. Often, shrieking is caused by over blowing or not having a hole completely covered. Have fun! Cyril.