which whistle to give newbies?

tkelly · Post by **tkelly** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 12:22 pm

I've gone through the Megs I had around to give to people who fell in love with whistles after hearing or playing with mine. I'm not happy with the overall quality control there -- I'd rather give away fewer whistles and have a better chance at them being good. If you were going to give a whistle to a friend (or three) who might or might not ever get serious about whistling, but who really likes Irish music -- and who might be more likely to stay interested in the whistle if he or she received one that was actually playable -- which whistle would you give?

I don't mind doing a bit of tweaking beforehand, but I'm not sure I'd want to hand someone a gift whistle with a guitar pick glued to it

.

TIA,
Tery

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 12:27 pm

I would say Acorns would be a great choice.

Best,

--James
http://www.flutesite.com

Sandy Jasper · Post by **Sandy Jasper** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 12:54 pm

I would recommend sweetones. They have a really nice shaped mouthpiece, come in different colors and sound pretty good. They are what I suggest to my new students.

Sandy

LeeMarsh · Post by **LeeMarsh** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 12:54 pm

I like Megs for the curious.
If I see a hearts interest, a connection that may grow to more than words, then I like to give Dixons.

jim_mc · Post by **jim_mc** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 7:07 pm

Lee Marsh nails it! That was going to be my answer as well.

Isilwen · Post by **Isilwen** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 7:21 pm

@ jim

Personally, I'd say Clarke Sweetones or Clarke Origs. They seem to be pretty good concerning quality control, plus they sound good and they not only are good for beginners, but advanced players as well. (of course, that depends on what you're looking for...)

DrRichard · Post by **DrRichard** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 7:43 pm

Yep, I also give out Sweetones - very consistent, and easy to play and also inexpensive enough it doesn't break the bank.

Works especially well with kids as they're colorful.

Richard

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 8:16 pm

Sweetones, for sure. They have the best consistency compared to Gens, Feadogs, Clares, Oaks, and Megs.

tkelly · Post by **tkelly** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 8:56 pm

What is this -- near consensus on sweetones

? Am I on the right list or have I gotten lost in cyberspace

?

That's what I needed -- thanks!

Tery

[ This Message was edited by: tkelly on 2002-12-15 21:57 ]

tuaz · Post by **tuaz** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 9:49 pm

On 2002-12-15 21:56, tkelly wrote:
What is this -- near consensus on sweetones ? Am I on the right list or have I gotten lost in cyberspace ?
...
[ This Message was edited by: tkelly on 2002-12-15 21:57 ]

Actually, I would recommend Sweetones as well. While I personally don't like its tone, Sweetones appear to be reliable and consistent (I refer to the D only; I have doubts about the C), and they don't need lots of air.

Gens - too much of a gamble unless you are willing and able to test and try all the ones you're buying.

Clarke Originals - I love mine, but others on this board seem to have got Origs that require too much air.

Megs - quality control may not be that good. Inconsistent quality.

Feadogs -- um, let's just say I REALLY don't like them.

I've tried 2 Waltons Guinesses (?) - one was fine, the other was horrible.

ErikT · Post by **ErikT** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 10:43 pm

Yep, same here. I try to keep some Sweetones on hand. Maybe an Acorn or two as well.

Erik

brianormond · Post by **brianormond** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 11:12 pm

Agreed!-The Sweetone D can play nicely, and won't be overblown easily like the Oak. The more I play one bought as a lark, the better it sounds. My Sweetone C has nice tone but needs a four-finger C-natural- the D has an OK two-finger C-natural, but improves with three
fingers.

_________________

Brian O.

[ This Message was edited by: brianormond on 2002-12-16 00:18 ]

bassnwhistle · Post by **bassnwhistle** » Sun Dec 15, 2002 11:17 pm

I try to keep a few Megs on hand (all in D). People seem to especially like the 'natural' finish over the black. So far, having unloaded a couple of dozen of the things, they are still my pick. I have no complaints about quality (bearing in mind that I don't actually play one in public). Remember that 98% of the people you give them to will never play them again after the first few attempts. Megs are attractive, decent-sounding, easy to play, and CHEAP. In the rare instance that I find someone who I think will really stick with it, I'll spring for a Dixon or a self-tweaked BlackDog.
If I'm trying to convert someone who can already play a recorder, then the Dixon seems to really work well.
Ian

serpent · Post by **serpent** » Mon Dec 16, 2002 12:42 am

From the desk of Serpie-Pie:
Meg. I teach a little whistle class from time to time, and buy them by the double dozen. I generally have to toss a couple, but the rest seem to work well. If the folks like the sound, I recommend they get themselves a Clarke trad, a Gen (except for their abominable Bb!), or a Sweetone. Once they're hooked, well... I do have a website... (G)

serpent

E = Fb · Post by **E = Fb** » Mon Dec 16, 2002 5:28 pm

As a kid in Ireland I had a Clarke and couldn't get started because I didn't have instruction. The tone and playability of the gift whistle is reasonably important, but they also need to know what to do with it. I suggest a Sweetone or Meg or whatever, but I would also give some instructions, either downloaded from the Internet (free) or copy something (illegally). Maybe a ripped CD would help too. Going to prison is a small price to pay for helping humanity.