Tongue or not to tongue, that is the question.

[shoutjoy]

Ummm when do you tongue a song and when do you not?

[Steve Bliven]

The simple answer - which probably doesn't help much - is "when it works in the tune". But that assumes that you have developed a sense of "what works".

Most players start tonguing every note and gradually work away from that to not tonguing at all, using some other "finger operated" ornament to separate notes of a similar tone or for emphasis. Then, some go back to fitting in tonguing "when it works". Generally, that comes with time and listening to other players, either live or on recordings.

For me it's been a useful exercise to try playing tunes with no tonguing - both to learn that technique and as a forcing mechanism for learning other ornaments.

Best wishes.

Steve

[Jim_B1]

I agree with Steve. I don't think there is any particular rule on it but whatever sounds good with the tune. Some songs sound good more staccato, some more legato.

I will say that when you play more legato it does then to be more flute-like and is good for slow tunes and staccato tends to be better for fast tempo songs. IMHO

Just listen to as much as you can and you'll hear the differences between them then you can decide what you like for a given song.

[Steve Bliven]

However, be sure to refer to the music as "tunes" not "songs" unless you are actually singing them...

Best wishes.

Steve

[bogman]

Paula, one of the biggest problems with folk new to trad instruments is that they massively underestimate how much they should be listening. Even listening to loads of fiddle can help with tonguing because so much of it has to do with the music rather than the instrument. Get a few recordings if good whistle players and listen (closely) to it in the car, while in the kitchen, the garden, walking, basically anywhere and anytime you can. Don't let it wash over your head. That will do more good than trying to work out what works where. The whistle works very naturally when you get to properly know the music.

[MTGuru]

Paula, one of the biggest problems with folk new to trad instruments is that they massively underestimate how much they should be listening ... The whistle works very naturally when you get to properly know the music.

MTGuru likes this.

[shoutjoy]

Ok, most of the Celtic music I have is a mix of different instruments. Can you recommend some good whistlers who have recorded?

[Steve Bliven]

Can you recommend some good whistlers who have recorded?

There's a sticky above entitled "Whistle Recordings". You'll find good stuff there. Personally, I'm partial to Mary Bergin and Micko Russell

Best wishes.

Steve

[chas]

Paula, one of the biggest problems with folk new to trad instruments is that they massively underestimate how much they should be listening. Even listening to loads of fiddle can help with tonguing because so much of it has to do with the music rather than the instrument.

Ok, most of the Celtic music I have is a mix of different instruments. Can you recommend some good whistlers who have recorded?

I find one of the absolute best albums for picking up one person's version of the music is Kevin Burke Live. It's almost all solo fiddle, and he's a great interpreter of tunes who's not obsessed with playing at breakneck speed, so you can pick up a lot of nuances that aren't as easily heard in ensemble playing.

[Jim_B1]

Micko Russell

Some of us even call him Micho

Seriously though, I would also look for some of the great flute players. Kevin Crawford is a favorite of mine...

[R Small]

And since we've mentioned Micho Russell (one of my favorites, by the way) exactly how do you pronounce "Micho"? Is it Miko or Meeko? Or possibly even Micko? Is the "ch" pronounced like a k as in kirk or ch as in church?

[MTGuru]

Some of us even call him Micho

Of course, you're just being playful. But I wouldn't put it quite that way unless you actually knew the man. Perhaps you did.

Mike-O (for Michael), I've heard. Don't think I've seen the spelling commonly used outside Ireland, at least not in the States.

[shoutjoy]

Okkaaaayyy thank you for all the suggestions. I will muddle through them the best I can. With funds being extremely limited, I will take advantage of all the on line stuff I can. Thanks to all of you!!!!!

[Jim_B1]

Some of us even call him Micho

Of course, you're just being playful. But I wouldn't put it quite that way unless you actually knew the man. Perhaps you did.

Mike-O (for Michael). Don't think I've seen the spelling commonly used outside Ireland, at least not in the States.

Actually I was just playing around...

Wish I could say I had met him however I used to take lessons from Bill Ochs who was writing the definitive book on the man at the time (not sure if he ever finished it) and has published one of the best CD's and accompanying DVD's of his work out there "Ireland's Whistling Ambassador" so I've heard tons about him second hand...

I've always heard it pronounced Mike-O too but I've always seen it spelled Micho.

[brewerpaul]

Tonguing is a tool. I'd say use it, but don't overdo it. I agree with everyone who has said to listen to a LOT of whistle playing. Try to see where the player is tonguing and where they're not.