Hello, Whistlefolk!

fibulo · Post by **fibulo** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 6:11 pm

Hello!

In my haphazard musical doodling, I have played recorder (not for ages), the viola (sounded like a screeching cat), and the harmonica (still cranking at it).
Recently, I have turned eyes towards the whistle, inpart because
1) I can do the lip whistle fairly well
2) I'm partial to Celtic music
3) Watching various episodes of Star Trek
Having no experience with whistles of the musical variety, and so I would borrow shamelessly from your collective experiences.
What makes a good whistle?

sincerely,
fibulo

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 6:20 pm

Greetings, and welcome!

I would start by checking out the content on the Chiff and Fipple home page, especially the Inexpensive, Expensive, and Low Whistle guides.

Then I'd pick about three or four different kinds of inexpensive whistles, and buy them, along with the Clarke set that comes with the Bill Ochs tutur and CD.

Start working through the tutorial. You'll be addicted before you know it.

Good luck and best wishes,

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

Tyghress · Post by **Tyghress** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 7:24 pm

On 2003-01-26 19:11, fibulo wrote:
Hello!

Hi there, Fibulo! I second the advice to just get one or two inexpensive whistles (they cost as little as $3 for a perfectly serviceable Meg...up to...well, a lot more) and seeing if its your cup of tea (which leads me to wonder how many session tune names you can fit in a normal conversation)

And as for your quote...Heinlein was specific...lets not pretty it up... There AIN'T NO such thing as a free lunch: Tanstaafl!

Martin Milner · Post by **Martin Milner** » Tue Jan 28, 2003 6:54 am

Hi Fibulo,

I'm a bit of a lip-whistler myself. I tend to listen to tunes I'm learning and lip-whistle along to them, while cycling or walking to work. Everyone thinks I'm really cheerful (I get some looks and some grins), they don't realise I'm a really miserable get who just happens to be learning cheerful Irish tunes.

I'd recommend, as above, the Clarke set (whistle, book & CD), plus a Generation style whistle (Generation, Walton, Feadog, Clare, Doolin) as an alternative, in D of course.

I wouldn't splash out on an $80 high end whistle yet, though some reckon they are easier to play and positively help new players.

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Tue Jan 28, 2003 7:10 am

On 2003-01-26 19:11, fibulo wrote:

I have played recorder (not for ages), the viola (sounded like a screeching cat), and the harmonica (still cranking at it).
Recently, I have turned eyes towards the whistle

Welcome! Sounds like you're about as bad off as me. It gets worse. If it gets you really bad, soon you'll be trying to play harmonica and whistle at the same time. Here's a clip.

pixyy · Post by **pixyy** » Tue Jan 28, 2003 7:39 am

On 2003-01-28 07:54, Martin Milner wrote:
...Everyone thinks I'm really cheerful (I get some looks and some grins), they don't realise I'm a really miserable get who just happens to be learning cheerful Irish tunes.

hey Martin, That might be just it!
I always thought I was schizophrenic!
Thanks for the insight.

Now back to the regular sheduled program.

Martin Milner · Post by **Martin Milner** » Tue Jan 28, 2003 9:01 am

On 2003-01-28 08:39, pixyy wrote:

hey Martin, That might be just it!
I always thought I was schizophrenic!
Thanks for the insight.

Now back to the regular scheduled program.

Pixyy, I used to think I was schizophrenic too, but now I'm in two minds about it.