I'm just starting to play the whistle and I've noticed that many people angle the whistle to one side of their mouth while playing and I was wondering if there was a reason for this.
I'm wondering if there's any benefit to controlling airflow by angling the whistle. I've noticed that on two inexpensive whistles, my Generation Folk Brass and my Walton Little Black D, I can control the lower D note and not have it break as easily when I angle the whistle... but I don't know if that's a real benefit or something I'm imagining.
I tend to play my Susato whistle a bit crooked, because I can make the tone less plasticky that way somehow. I suppose that by letting some air escape out the side of the blowhole, I am creating an embochure... but not being a fluter, I really don't know anything about that. I just know it takes a lot more air that way, and if I play too long I start to see stars.
Otherwise, I suppose others do it because it looks jaunty and devil-may-care.
I know a guy who does it sometimes to hear better what he's doing when he's not sure about the tune, or that's what he says anyway. Very exageratedly so it looks funny.
To hear better in a noisy session I nod my head and lean forward.
Maybe I need to buy one of those posh aluminum whistles to make more
of a racket. On fiddle I press my ear to the fiddle; it's a bad way to play though
I am one of those who plays from the side of the mouth. I never noticed anybody else doing it. I think it is actually a disadvantage from a breathing and vibrato stand point. Good whistle players can vibrate their cheeks (their face cheeks, so there is no confusion) rapidly to aid in some breathing/sound techniques. I picked up the habit by first playing saxophone as a youngster. Proper form with saxophone is to have the mouth piece in the side of your mouth.
BTW...my wife has asked that I exclaim my love for her....and not just the whistle and/or Irish music, so here is goes...I....I...L...Love Irish music...I mean...I Love my wife.
Petey - I dunno who your sax teacher was, but that is wrong.
You might see some famous old jazzer with the mouthpiece going
that way but it is not something to imitate.
Playing to the side gives a breathier, more flute-like tone. I much prefer it (except when playing slides, when I prefer the sharper, cut-through type of sound).
whistle - side of the mouth
whistle - side of the mouth
I'm just starting to play the whistle and I've noticed that many people angle the whistle to one side of their mouth while playing and I was wondering if there was a reason for this.
# Posted on March 2nd 2009 by JTC111
Re: whistle - side of the mouth
I think some people just find it more comfortable and it helps keep it out of the way of their tongue (or vice-versa).
Personally I tend to play it straight on.
# Posted on March 2nd 2009 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: whistle - side of the mouth
It's to stop the condensation dribbling onto your lap, by re-directing it onto the lap of the person beside you.
# Posted on March 2nd 2009 by Hammurabi Breathnach
Re: whistle - side of the mouth
I'm wondering if there's any benefit to controlling airflow by angling the whistle. I've noticed that on two inexpensive whistles, my Generation Folk Brass and my Walton Little Black D, I can control the lower D note and not have it break as easily when I angle the whistle... but I don't know if that's a real benefit or something I'm imagining.
# Posted on March 2nd 2009 by JTC111
Re: whistle - side of the mouth
Imagination. Dribbling onto neighbours lap is the only advantage.
# Posted on March 3rd 2009 by bogman
Re: whistle - side of the mouth
I tend to play my Susato whistle a bit crooked, because I can make the tone less plasticky that way somehow. I suppose that by letting some air escape out the side of the blowhole, I am creating an embochure... but not being a fluter, I really don't know anything about that. I just know it takes a lot more air that way, and if I play too long I start to see stars.
Otherwise, I suppose others do it because it looks jaunty and devil-may-care.
# Posted on March 3rd 2009 by John Galt
Re: whistle - side of the mouth
I find myself anglng the whistle sometimes .. I think it's a postural thing. Got nothing to do with technique.
# Posted on March 3rd 2009 by Mozle
Re: whistle - side of the mouth
Flute players often feel more comfortable moving it a bit to the side
because they are used to fingering that way. It has no effect on the
sound.
However if your style of playing has a lot of tonguing in it, you'd do better
to keep it centred. for better control of that.
# Posted on March 3rd 2009 by Hup
Re: whistle - side of the mouth
They just want to be one of the 'cool' kids.
# Posted on March 3rd 2009 by AlBrown
Re: whistle - side of the mouth
I know a guy who does it sometimes to hear better what he's doing when he's not sure about the tune, or that's what he says anyway. Very exageratedly so it looks funny.
# Posted on March 3rd 2009 by Pere
Re: whistle - side of the mouth
It's so they can drink with the other side.
# Posted on March 3rd 2009 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: whistle - side of the mouth
And smoke with the middle.
# Posted on March 3rd 2009 by Whiddler
Re: whistle - side of the mouth
To hear better in a noisy session I nod my head and lean forward.
Maybe I need to buy one of those posh aluminum whistles to make more
of a racket. On fiddle I press my ear to the fiddle; it's a bad way to play though
# Posted on March 3rd 2009 by Hup
Re: whistle - side of the mouth
I am one of those who plays from the side of the mouth. I never noticed anybody else doing it. I think it is actually a disadvantage from a breathing and vibrato stand point. Good whistle players can vibrate their cheeks (their face cheeks, so there is no confusion) rapidly to aid in some breathing/sound techniques. I picked up the habit by first playing saxophone as a youngster. Proper form with saxophone is to have the mouth piece in the side of your mouth.
BTW...my wife has asked that I exclaim my love for her....and not just the whistle and/or Irish music, so here is goes...I....I...L...Love Irish music...I mean...I Love my wife.
# Posted on March 3rd 2009 by Petey_Whistle
Re: whistle - side of the mouth
surprised nobody has mentioned Jim Donoghue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StciKegFigk
# Posted on March 3rd 2009 by flying fists of poo poo
Re: whistle - side of the mouth
Petey - I dunno who your sax teacher was, but that is wrong.
You might see some famous old jazzer with the mouthpiece going
that way but it is not something to imitate.
# Posted on March 4th 2009 by Hup
Re: whistle - side of the mouth
Playing to the side gives a breathier, more flute-like tone. I much prefer it (except when playing slides, when I prefer the sharper, cut-through type of sound).
Odhu ntinggo
Max
# Posted on March 4th 2009 by pfft