Those pesky fiddle players and their tunes in A

[eskin]

A-major tunes are absolutely playable on a high-D whistle using a half-holed G#. Practice, practice, practice...

On the other hand, when a set of A-major tunes comes up and I'm playing the pipes, since I don't have a G# key and haven't yet mastered a half-holed or cross-fingered G# reliably on my chanter, I'll just sit them out or switch to high-D whistle. I've heard long strings of A-major tunes called "F the piper" sets.

[walrii]

Does anyone out there own a Dixon Trad E?

It's not a Trad E but I have a plastic low E by Dixon that is a nice whistle. The only issue was the bell note (E) being a little sharp which I fixed with a ridge of blue-tac/poster putty in the bell end. I use it playing bluegrass - bluegrass fiddlers like A too! There are bluegrass tunes in A with a Gnat; I use a D whistle for those.

[pancelticpiper]

I think the best way to handle A Major tunes- true Major tunes with G#s all over the place, sometimes in complex note-combinations, is to play them as if they were in the key of G, on an E whistle.

To those who advocate playing A Major tunes on a D whistle, I ask: "Do you play all of your G Major tunes on a C whistle, having mastered the halfholing of all those F#s through rigourous practice?"

hmmm.... I thought not.

It's simply common sense to play G Major tunes on a D whistle, A Major tunes on an E whistle, and so forth.

I have a Susato Low E that I use for A Major tunes. It's a pretty good-playing whistle, well in tune after a bit of carving. If I used a Low E more often I would pony up an buy a Burke.

[Innocent Bystander]

On the PEX make-my-own circuit, I have a nice low-ish high A whistle, on which I mostly play Ashokan Farewell, and a couple of Low Es, all on Snr Gonzato's measurements, which fits the fingers nicely and play a lot of stuff.
Recently I've been practicing the Coleraine Jig on the D whistle, which means a few G#s.
The low-ish high A is the longest High whistle I've ever made, and I was a bit surprised that it sounded okay, and that the fingering wasn't the least bit difficult.

[hans]

What is a low-ish high A whistle please?

[hoopy mike]

It's simply common sense to play G Major tunes on a D whistle, A Major tunes on an E whistle, and so forth.

In an ideal world, yes. But in a world where whistles cost money and there is a much wider range of D whistles available than E whistles, both in terms of price and availability, I suspect that many players will chose to stick with their favourite D whistle when playing the occasional tune in A.

Having said that, I've just ordered an E Dixon Trad whistle (it's my birthday today, and all I've got so far for a present is an ingrowing toenail and a mobile phone, so I have an excuse). I'll let you know how it sounds (the whistle, not the toenail).

On a side note, does anyone own a nicer C whistle than their nicest D whistle? (You can define "nice" in whatever way you wish).

[walrii]

On a side note, does anyone own a nicer C whistle than their nicest D whistle? (You can define "nice" in whatever way you wish).

My nicest D is a Jerry Freeman MellowDog that came in a C/D set. I think the C is the better whistle. Not by much, mind you, but it seems a tad smoother and easier to play. Both are outstanding whistles.

[Steve Bliven]

On a side note, does anyone own a nicer C whistle than their nicest D whistle? (You can define "nice" in whatever way you wish).

My nicest D is a Jerry Freeman MellowDog that came in a C/D set. I think the C is the better whistle. Not by much, mind you, but it seems a tad smoother and easier to play. Both are outstanding whistles.

I also have a MellowDog C/D set; one of the earlier models with the delightfully funky extension at the bottom of the D tube. The C of that set is really outstanding—complimented by several listeners (Generally on the order of, "Your playing isn't so hot Steve, but that whistle sounds great!")

But I wouldn't dare get into the "which one is nicer" discussion....

Best wishes.

Steve

[eskin]

To those who advocate playing A Major tunes on a D whistle, I ask: "Do you play all of your G Major tunes on a C whistle, having mastered the halfholing of all those F#s through rigourous practice?"

Cool, now I have something to work on between classes at the tionol!

[MTGuru]

To those who advocate playing A Major tunes on a D whistle, I ask: "Do you play all of your G Major tunes on a C whistle, having mastered the halfholing of all those F#s through rigourous practice?"

Yes, I do. Sometimes.

It's a question of theory vs. praxis, pancelt. Under ideal conditions, you might choose an E whistle to play an AMaj tune, especially if the G#s feature prominently. But in sessions where the tunes are not called in advance, you sometimes find yourself suddenly facing an AMaj tune in the middle of a long set. You can do an awkward whistle swap (twice!) - assuming you even have an E whistle handy. Or just play the darn tune, and be ready for the next tune when it launches in D or whatever.

Similarly, playing a DDor -> GMaj set or transition, I'd start on C whistle then switch to A fingering (or "whistle capo" fingering) for the GMaj tune, as you describe.

So if the underlying question is "Do you practice what you preach?", the answer is yes.

Actually, I'm surprised, pancelt. I'd think you're someone who can play A fingering in your sleep ...

In an ideal world, yes. But in a world where whistles cost money and there is a much wider range of D whistles available than E whistles, both in terms of price and availability, I suspect that many players will chose to stick with their favourite D whistle when playing the occasional tune in A.

I agree with this, too.

[Thomaston]

It's simply common sense to play G Major tunes on a D whistle, A Major tunes on an E whistle, and so forth.

In an ideal world, yes. But in a world where whistles cost money and there is a much wider range of D whistles available than E whistles, both in terms of price and availability, I suspect that many players will chose to stick with their favourite D whistle when playing the occasional tune in A.

Having said that, I've just ordered an E Dixon Trad whistle (it's my birthday today, and all I've got so far for a present is an ingrowing toenail and a mobile phone, so I have an excuse). I'll let you know how it sounds (the whistle, not the toenail).

On a side note, does anyone own a nicer C whistle than their nicest D whistle? (You can define "nice" in whatever way you wish).

I'd be interested to hear your opinion of the Dixon E. I've thought about getting one, myself.
As for the last question, I ditto what others have said. My Mellow Dog in C is my nicest whistle, nicer to me than the Mellow Dog D or either of my Dixon Trads in D.

[pancelticpiper]

On a side note, does anyone own a nicer C whistle than their nicest D whistle? (You can define "nice" in whatever way you wish).

Yes I think so. Over the years I've come to regard my old Generation C as the best whistle in any key I've ever played. I've never played a D by any maker at any price that comes close to the way that Generation C plays.

[benhall.1]

I have a Gen C like that.

[talasiga]

My favourite Gen is a little F

[benhall.1]

Yeah, mine's pretty beat up as well.