I am a fiddle and mandolin player, though new to Irish music, and i wanted to try the pennywhistle. I did, and found that it was not for me, but i was wondering what other pipes or whistles that are out there, and are fairly easy to pick up.
Penny Whistle (or Tin/Irish Whistle) is the easiest of the Pipe/whistle instruments in ITM there is also Flute which takes a long time to get the right blowing and embochure, there is also Uilleann Pipes which require leaning Bellows complicated fingerings and the use of up to 7 reeds at once.
The whiste (pennywhistle) is comparitively easy to get a grip on, and wth some practice, you will attain a decent level of accomplishment. Given your musical achievemt so far, you could be session-ready in a a few weeks or less.
The flute is an increase of tenfold (some would say a hundredfold) over the whistle.
The Ulliean pipes are so far above me that I can't begin to speak of them; most people on this site consider the UP to be the prototypical instrument for ITM. Good luck to you!
Whistle isn't easy! It's an easy starter, but it actually takes much longer time to get the correct tone, controlling your breath perfectly. The more you play it, the harder you'll find it. However, it's a lovely little inexpensive instrument, which you can carry in your fiddle case, so why not try again?
Wolf whistles are frowned on these days, and deemed to be inappropriate.
Cat whistles will, more than likely, get you removed from the members enclosure at a hallowed cricket ground or special concert!
Cathryn, forgive my levity!
On a more practical note I agree totally with slainte. A penny whistle is, for a small sum of money, a beautiful expressive instrument. If you should find you can't get your fingers round it or it's just not for you, then it has not been an expensive mistake.
A Generation or Feadog is what I normally use when I go out playing. I find they're consistent.
I have tried many others which vary in quality.
At the top end of the market I can personally recommend the whistles by Colin Goldie. However, if you have not much spare money, they can put you out of pocket.
Cathryn - I wonder in what way you found the whistle "was not for you".
You play fiddle and mandolin - so you obviously have enough hands.
Did you feel unable to produce a good sound?
Did you find the instrument too limited (after all you obviously have some musical experience already)?
Was it the wrong colour? (I jest here - but we have so little information about you to go on).
Tell us a little more, and we will be able to be more helpful.
different types of whistles
different types of whistles
I am a fiddle and mandolin player, though new to Irish music, and i wanted to try the pennywhistle. I did, and found that it was not for me, but i was wondering what other pipes or whistles that are out there, and are fairly easy to pick up.
# Posted on November 28th 2005 by cathrynH
Re: different types of whistles
Penny Whistle (or Tin/Irish Whistle) is the easiest of the Pipe/whistle instruments in ITM there is also Flute which takes a long time to get the right blowing and embochure, there is also Uilleann Pipes which require leaning Bellows complicated fingerings and the use of up to 7 reeds at once.
# Posted on November 28th 2005 by Why Bother?
Re: different types of whistles
Dear Cathryn,
Go back and revisit the whistle.
The whiste (pennywhistle) is comparitively easy to get a grip on, and wth some practice, you will attain a decent level of accomplishment. Given your musical achievemt so far, you could be session-ready in a a few weeks or less.
The flute is an increase of tenfold (some would say a hundredfold) over the whistle.
The Ulliean pipes are so far above me that I can't begin to speak of them; most people on this site consider the UP to be the prototypical instrument for ITM. Good luck to you!
# Posted on November 28th 2005 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: different types of whistles
Whistle isn't easy! It's an easy starter, but it actually takes much longer time to get the correct tone, controlling your breath perfectly. The more you play it, the harder you'll find it. However, it's a lovely little inexpensive instrument, which you can carry in your fiddle case, so why not try again?
# Posted on November 28th 2005 by slainte
Re: different types of whistles
Wolf whistles are frowned on these days, and deemed to be inappropriate.
Cat whistles will, more than likely, get you removed from the members enclosure at a hallowed cricket ground or special concert!
Cathryn, forgive my levity!
On a more practical note I agree totally with slainte. A penny whistle is, for a small sum of money, a beautiful expressive instrument. If you should find you can't get your fingers round it or it's just not for you, then it has not been an expensive mistake.
A Generation or Feadog is what I normally use when I go out playing. I find they're consistent.
I have tried many others which vary in quality.
At the top end of the market I can personally recommend the whistles by Colin Goldie. However, if you have not much spare money, they can put you out of pocket.
Hope this is some help to you.
Good luck,
Brianx
# Posted on November 28th 2005 by briantheflute
Re: different types of whistles
Cathryn - I wonder in what way you found the whistle "was not for you".
You play fiddle and mandolin - so you obviously have enough hands.
Did you feel unable to produce a good sound?
Did you find the instrument too limited (after all you obviously have some musical experience already)?
Was it the wrong colour? (I jest here - but we have so little information about you to go on).
Tell us a little more, and we will be able to be more helpful.
Dave
# Posted on November 28th 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: different types of whistles
It seems odd that playing string instruments are found preferable to whistles!
For me it is definately the other way around.
As for pipes, well...just forget it. I was crying after about 10 minutes...
As for a testiment to whistles though - Xmas 04 I was bought a clarkes whistle. Nov 05 im now playing sessions and gigs at my locals...
With no previous whistle/flute experience - thats not bad really?
# Posted on November 28th 2005 by BigChris