After watching plenty of whistle players via YouTube and other online videos, I've noticed a lot of people position the whistle to the side of their mouth. I'm no beginner - I've played for over 15 years, but I always position it straight out from my mouth. I find the to-the-side position clumsy, and I don't like the loss of the stero effect (in my own ears).
With so much debate about what's traditional and what's not, does this side-position indicate some degree of "traditionalism", professionalism, or simply personal preference?
p.s. I searched for about 8 minutes, but found no similar topic.
The laugh used to be that if you played out one side you could have a cigarette coming out the other... There are a few problems with this sideways approach ~ if you were a smoker then you'd have brown stain and shorter burned off hairs down your beard on one side, instead of a nice even one down the middle ~ and whether or not you were a smoker ~ you'd have a large wet patch on the thigh underneath the end of your whistle ~ from the dripping spit... Center player do it with their legs spread...
I was once told that people do that so that they can better hear themselves (you do lose the stereo effect, but one ear gets a better share!). Other remedies include wearing a wide-brim hat, playing the wider bore susato (not recommended to most , and playing alone.
I have the tendency to play low whistles to the right side and the high whistles at center. I started with the high whistle, and just did what I saw others doing. When I took up the low D whistle I started at center as with the high whistle, but when I bought a low C I had a little trouble with reach and hole coverage. I found if I canted the whistle to the right side slightly I had an easier time with the grip. Before long I was playing the D the same way.
I've also noticed that some of the flautists tend to hold the whistle to right, possibly just out of habit, though I have seen it both ways.
I think it's just a matter of personal preference.
A lot of flute players play whistle and it feels more natural for
them to be playing sideways. As a reformed clarinet play I like the center
position. There's no 'right' or 'wrong' way with whistle. It's very forgiving.
Thanks for all the replies! It's nice to know that playing my beloved Copeland soprano D whistle "front and center" is not necessarily wrong or "un-cool" in the world of ITM.
1) If you use a very steeply-angled "sideways" position, your lips will only partially cover the the mouthpiece. This will result in a more "breathy" flute-like sound. Nice for some tunes - "The Butterfly" would be a good example.
2) The more comfortable you are with your playing position, the better your playing should be. So in this respect, choose the playing position that is the most comfortable for you.
3) Many bands (inside and outside ITM) go for visual as well as audio affects. The same is true of musicians at sessions. Call it posturing, if you like. Tale a look around the room at your next session. Players of all instruments use slightly different playing positions. The "dominant" players use more commanding playing positions than the "passive" players. It's all to do with "pecking order". It's my belief that the whistle "sideways" position is sometimes used for this reason!
"I don't like the loss of the stero effect (in my own ears)."
1/4 Irish - Maybe the people who play it at an angle are deaf in one ear.
" you'd have a large wet patch on the thigh underneath the end of your whistle ~ from the dripping spit... Center player do it with their legs spread... "
Depending how the centre-player angles their whistle in the vertical plane, they might get a wet patch in the groin. Perhaps angling the whistle sideways is just to avoid any such embarrassment. After all, what possible origin could there be of a wet patch on the thigh, other than drool from the end of a whistle.
Ha ha ragaman, yes, the wet patch, holding the whistle at an angle is preferable to taking a small bucket about with you.
You don't lose stereo effect of course because the sound projects forward mainly from the sound hole, not the finger holes, so where you have the whistle in your mouth is pretty much irrelevant.
It's a daft abbreviation for Irish Traditional Music that probably nobody in Ireland would actually use or are likely to have heard but is commonly used on this website.
I've always played the whistle slightly to the right and never thought anything about it till I had a comprehensive hearing test. My right ear is down a tad in the high frequencies.
Position of the whistle in the lips
Position of the whistle in the lips
After watching plenty of whistle players via YouTube and other online videos, I've noticed a lot of people position the whistle to the side of their mouth. I'm no beginner - I've played for over 15 years, but I always position it straight out from my mouth. I find the to-the-side position clumsy, and I don't like the loss of the stero effect (in my own ears).
With so much debate about what's traditional and what's not, does this side-position indicate some degree of "traditionalism", professionalism, or simply personal preference?
p.s. I searched for about 8 minutes, but found no similar topic.
# Posted on October 26th 2008 by Quarter Irish
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
The laugh used to be that if you played out one side you could have a cigarette coming out the other... There are a few problems with this sideways approach ~ if you were a smoker then you'd have brown stain and shorter burned off hairs down your beard on one side, instead of a nice even one down the middle ~ and whether or not you were a smoker ~ you'd have a large wet patch on the thigh underneath the end of your whistle ~ from the dripping spit... Center player do it with their legs spread...
# Posted on October 26th 2008 by ceolachan
The beard reference, of course, applies to either sex with a beard...
# Posted on October 26th 2008 by ceolachan
Hi.
Im Taking part in the Scor i have a reel But i need a new Jig. Fast if possible! HAS ANY ONE HAVE ANY IDEAS?
wb x
# Posted on October 26th 2008 by x.m.a.r.i.a.x
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
I was once told that people do that so that they can better hear themselves (you do lose the stereo effect, but one ear gets a better share!). Other remedies include wearing a wide-brim hat, playing the wider bore susato (not recommended to most
, and playing alone.
# Posted on October 26th 2008 by sixholes
Hey, that smiley fellow stole my close-parenthesis!
# Posted on October 26th 2008 by sixholes
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
I have the tendency to play low whistles to the right side and the high whistles at center. I started with the high whistle, and just did what I saw others doing. When I took up the low D whistle I started at center as with the high whistle, but when I bought a low C I had a little trouble with reach and hole coverage. I found if I canted the whistle to the right side slightly I had an easier time with the grip. Before long I was playing the D the same way.
I've also noticed that some of the flautists tend to hold the whistle to right, possibly just out of habit, though I have seen it both ways.
I think it's just a matter of personal preference.
# Posted on October 26th 2008 by dlkes
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
It's just a little more comfortable towards the side of the mouth to me.
# Posted on October 26th 2008 by Whiddler
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
I've wondered this too. I play flute, but I play whistle straight forward to keep the sound balanced in my own ears.
# Posted on October 26th 2008 by Klosephine
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
Leans slightly to the left with me..mm
# Posted on October 26th 2008 by Dave_
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
A lot of flute players play whistle and it feels more natural for
them to be playing sideways. As a reformed clarinet play I like the center
position. There's no 'right' or 'wrong' way with whistle. It's very forgiving.
# Posted on October 27th 2008 by Hup
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
Thanks for all the replies! It's nice to know that playing my beloved Copeland soprano D whistle "front and center" is not necessarily wrong or "un-cool" in the world of ITM.
# Posted on October 27th 2008 by Quarter Irish
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
1) If you use a very steeply-angled "sideways" position, your lips will only partially cover the the mouthpiece. This will result in a more "breathy" flute-like sound. Nice for some tunes - "The Butterfly" would be a good example.
2) The more comfortable you are with your playing position, the better your playing should be. So in this respect, choose the playing position that is the most comfortable for you.
3) Many bands (inside and outside ITM) go for visual as well as audio affects. The same is true of musicians at sessions. Call it posturing, if you like. Tale a look around the room at your next session. Players of all instruments use slightly different playing positions. The "dominant" players use more commanding playing positions than the "passive" players. It's all to do with "pecking order". It's my belief that the whistle "sideways" position is sometimes used for this reason!
# Posted on October 27th 2008 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
"I don't like the loss of the stero effect (in my own ears)."
1/4 Irish - Maybe the people who play it at an angle are deaf in one ear.
" you'd have a large wet patch on the thigh underneath the end of your whistle ~ from the dripping spit... Center player do it with their legs spread... "
Depending how the centre-player angles their whistle in the vertical plane, they might get a wet patch in the groin. Perhaps angling the whistle sideways is just to avoid any such embarrassment. After all, what possible origin could there be of a wet patch on the thigh, other than drool from the end of a whistle.
# Posted on October 27th 2008 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
Ha ha ragaman, yes, the wet patch, holding the whistle at an angle is preferable to taking a small bucket about with you.
You don't lose stereo effect of course because the sound projects forward mainly from the sound hole, not the finger holes, so where you have the whistle in your mouth is pretty much irrelevant.
# Posted on October 27th 2008 by bogman
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
Play it however you like, and whatever way suits you. If the cool kids jumped off a bridge, would you follow?
# Posted on October 27th 2008 by AlBrown
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
Some comments about it over at chiff and fipple:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=38418&highlight=sideways
# Posted on October 27th 2008 by blaydo
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
forgive my ignorance ... but what does ITM stand for?
Danielle
# Posted on October 27th 2008 by She moved through the fair
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
It's a daft abbreviation for Irish Traditional Music that probably nobody in Ireland would actually use or are likely to have heard but is commonly used on this website.
# Posted on October 27th 2008 by bogman
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
I've always played the whistle slightly to the right and never thought anything about it till I had a comprehensive hearing test. My right ear is down a tad in the high frequencies.
# Posted on October 27th 2008 by gam
Re: Position of the whistle in the lips
Thank you bogman! i was lost in translation there!!
# Posted on October 27th 2008 by She moved through the fair