Is there a better name?

Innocent Bystander · Post by **Innocent Bystander** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 4:23 am

Or you could go scots and call it a whissul.

How about bowing to popular perception and calling it a flute? Agreed it's confusing, but among ourselves we could mention the fipple.

fearfaoin · Post by **fearfaoin** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 7:44 am

This was asked years ago and someone suggested Coolmaphone. I dig it.
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=17029

West · Post by **West** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:26 am

Innocent Bystander wrote:How about bowing to popular perception and calling it a flute?

That is very tempting, isn't it?

"Hey, is that a flute?"
"No, it's a tin whistle."
"Oh. Well it looks like a flute."
"Well, technically it is a type of flute..."
"Ah!"
"...but 'flute' usually refers to the transverse flute."
"The what?"
"The... uh, nevermind. It's a flute."
"I thought so!"

Blaydo · Post by **Blaydo** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:52 am

It really depends where you are and who you are talking to. I'd imagine in America simply saying "Whistle" would just confuse people. In the UK they use the term "Penny Whistle" more so, it's not really used in Ireland though people will still know what you are talking about here. In Italy they call it an Irish Flute. If I was in Italy I would simply call it "Flauto Irlandese". The important thing is that whoever you are talking to or whoever your intended audience is understands exactly what you are talking about.

In Ireland it's generally called a "Tin Whistle" or just "Whistle" for short and informal. For example if you see an advertisement for lessons it will say "Tin Whistle Lessons". Sure someone might bring along a wooden whistle but they are still taking "Tin Whistle Lessons". So if you are referring to them collectively you'll still call them Tin Whistles, However if you are talking about a single wooden whistle then you would call it just that. If you are in a pub and someone asks you what instrument you play you would simply say "Whistle".

A-Musing · Post by **A-Musing** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 3:16 pm

Floostle?

Leel · Post by **Leel** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:09 am

hoopy mike · Post by **hoopy mike** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:10 am

Leel wrote:fred

There's no way I'm blowing anything called Fred.

Stay Hoopy,
Mike

dehavik · Post by **dehavik** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:21 am

I've noticed that when I say "tinwhistle" or "pennywhistle" among the uninitiated, I get confused looks and often the "is that a real instrument?" question. However, the "Irish whistle" label garners a comprehending expression and the "Oh, like in Riverdance!" response. I just call it an Irish Whistle, and spare listeners the embarrassment of showcasing their ignorance. When they recognize what I'm talking about, there is often greater interest.

Innocent Bystander · Post by **Innocent Bystander** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:21 am

hoopy mike wrote:
Leel wrote:fred
There's no way I'm blowing anything called Fred.

Stay Hoopy,
Mike

You guys stay away from me, just in case. I've got a low-D whistle here, and I'm not afraid to use it.

Innocent Bystander · Post by **Innocent Bystander** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:22 am

dehavik wrote:I've noticed that when I say "tinwhistle" or "pennywhistle" among the uninitiated, I get confused looks and often the "is that a real instrument?" question. However, the "Irish whistle" label garners a comprehending expression and the "Oh, like in Riverdance!" response. I just call it an Irish Whistle, and spare listeners the embarrassment of showcasing their ignorance. When they recognize what I'm talking about, there is often greater interest.

Irish whistle? Nearly there! Wait... no... I've got it: Irish Flute!

Denny · Post by **Denny** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:47 am

Innocent Bystander wrote:
hoopy mike wrote:
Leel wrote:fred
There's no way I'm blowing anything called Fred.

Stay Hoopy,
Mike

You guys stay away from me, just in case. I've got a low-D whistle here, and I'm not afraid to use it.

you don't seem to be dealing well with rejection....

pancelticpiper · Post by **pancelticpiper** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 7:08 am

Now this is just from somebody who plays a lot of gigs, mostly on Highland pipes but quite a few with uilleann pipes and low whistle (solo or with a trio including guitar and fiddle).

I find that when speaking to potential clients using terms like "whistle" conjures up the wrong impression. They think of a coach's whistle, not a musical instrument.

"Low whistle" is unfamiliar to them and has to be explained.

I've found the best way to describe what I play (inaccurate to insiders as it may be) is to call it an "Irish flute". This immediately brings to mind the sound that I'm actually going to be creating at the gig, as they think of Titanic etc. And the term is accurate in that the low whistle is a kind of flute, and it's Irish, unlike the wood transverse flutes developed in London in the early-to-mid 19th century for the playing of Classical music that we call "Irish flutes".

Mitch · Post by **Mitch** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 3:18 am

The "obverse-flute"?? ... nah

jemtheflute · Post by **jemtheflute** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 4:36 am

Mitch wrote:The "obverse-flute"?? ... nah

Only on the Dark Side.

For observant obscurantists only.

Leel · Post by **Leel** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 12:17 pm

hoopy mike wrote:
Leel wrote:fred
There's no way I'm blowing anything called Fred.

Stay Hoopy,
Mike

Actually, note: I said fred (lower case) specifically to differentiate it from "Fred" for a flute.

Makes perfect sense to me, eh?