You know, when I joined "thesession" I was asked to complete a profile and for some obscure reason I put down that one of my instruments was a whistle. The reality was that I had a small collection that I had collected over the years with the intention of eventually learning to play properly. Well events finally conspired in my favour and over the last few weeks I found myself with significantly more free time. In addition, my finances took a battering and any hopes of upgrading my mandolin evaporated in an instant. Feeling sorry for myself one day I went over to my old Generation and 'tooted' away contentedly (I use the term advisedly), Now this sad looking apology for a whistle is a poor example of the instrument and each note is likely to make purists yelp as it is flat on all the notes .. and of course it is untuneable!
Nonetheless something happened that day and since then I walk around everywhere with either this, or my Clarke whistle. I am like a lovelorn teenager and equally obsessed! Trouble is, I am a 55 year old man and should be (so I am told) more adult and responsible. But i don't want to be - I love my obsession and I can't see anyone being harmed. I did acknowledge my family's ears might be harmed by the lack of perfection in the tuning in the Generation. Consequently, and on the advice of a local whistler I ordered a couple of Dixon's - so you can't accuse me of not thinking of other people!
Joking apart, my turning to a new instrument has been like a breath of fresh air. It has re-envigorated my enthusiasm for the 'simpler' tunes, enhanced my playing of mandolin and guitar by giving me a fresh view of things, and generally made me stop, slow down and take time to look at the basics.
Taking up the whistle has made me return to the foundation stones of my musical ability and as a result forced me to stop complicating things. The early struggles I had all those years ago with my guitar and mando are in the past and are now replaced by the mystery of how do whistlers make that upper octave sound clear and pure. I am a beginner and although desperate to be a competent player I have to accept it will happen in good time. But I am an impatient grumpy old man and that doesn't come easily to someone with an obsession!!!. Still I am happy and long may it continue!
So Santa if you are reading this - make sure my Dixon is in your bag ... and for the next few years can I have a flute, bouzouki, chanter, fiddle, harp .....
In the meantime - suggestions for any good tunes for a beginner whistler are always appreciated
I thought obsessive behaviour was the basic qualification for this forum - we're all in the same boat.
Beware the concomittant Instrument Acquisition Syndrome - my wife's only comment when she found I'd bought ANOTHER concertina AND an Irish bouzouki was "At least it wasn't a Harley Davidson !".
Was it not the famous Lord Franklin, on being told that he was too old to go on ( his last ) polar exploration, who replied, "Sir, I am ONLY fifty-nine !" ?
Have sympathy for Lord Franklin. If you give in to the 'too old to go' tag, you ain't ever going to go. Much better to have a go now, whatever your age, than never, hey? Never too old to start and if you aren't chasing dreams you aren't living either I recon.
Having said that I have managed to keep a whistle for some 30+ years in my fiddle case without ever really being able to play it. The occasional bit of a tootle at something sweet and slow taken out by someone else so I can just hang in on it a bit, but it stays in my fiddle case just in case.
Maybe there is a town like Hamlyn somewhere or other that needs to be rid of rats one day - and I'll be ready ta do ma duty!
It's easy to make your gen tuneable, just put the head in very hot, not boiling water, to soften the glue, pull and twist firmly and the head should release; might take a few attempts - voila a tuneable gen.
I actually took up whistle at 52 and quickly moved on to flute and now, on the cusp of my 53rd birthday have acquired a shacuhachi; just a young thing really.
I will turn 49 tomorrow and yesterday I picked up my birthday gift (well it's an everything gift, birthday, Hannukah and Christmas) - a Martin DX1 guitar. I played it in a store about 5 months ago and wanted it ever since. I'm spoiled. This is a big gift this year. But, there are so many other things I don't do (don't get out much other than to play). And, they took a trade in on my very basic Yamaha (CG-101) - $50, which is better than nothing (it probably cost about $100).
I've been playing guitar since I was an 10 year old although I didn't really start to play until I went to a music camp as a teen and learned how to play folk. I've put the guitar down at times, but my daughter loves my playing. She's disable and uses some sign language and one of her signs is music. She uses that sign as well to indicate she wants to go to the coffee house where I play in a session. So, it's become a big part of her development. I've been playing for her for about 6 years now. It was time for a better guitar.
I'm wondering about other instruments as well. It's great relaxation for me and I need that deperately.
Oh I thought everybody knew that about Generations - tuneable. But wait, I went to my fiddle case and looked inside and my one Generation D had reproduced into three! How could that have happened? One is a collapsible Doolin. Perhaps there are more floating around somewhere, who knows. So out comes the "C" and Boulevogue comes out (that's about me level). Nice beginner's tune Welshman.
The problem is that I really don't have time to get obsessive over whistles when there are so many other things to be obsessive over (ie. fiddles). Can't be obsessive about everything - not enough hours in a day as it is.
(Sorry, I think I've over done my thesession quota for the day, but carry on regardless) A self help group for old grey whistle wannabes sounds like a great idea. Are you going to start one, billiam? ... count me in ... and good on you, gostrangely, sachuhachi at 53 sounds terrific to me - that should keep you out of mischief fer a decade or two at least. I used to be in a hurry but I'm not anymore, just lovin' the journey and appreciating some very beautiful tunesl. Love it (like everybody else here).
Damn, now I kind of want to get a whistle and learn it. I just think I might. Would be so nice to be able to carry it around and play anywhere.
Thanks for infecting me. Many people's lives will be a slight bit worse thanks to you. I wonder how many times I can play Saddle the Pony (badly) over and over in public before being clubbed to death.
Personally, obsessed as i am with Trad, i find the whistle to be ideal. When i need to get some fresh air, take a walk, i am able to feed my obsession by playing the whistle as i walk. In fact thats about the only time i play the whistle, luckily living in rural ireland i dont get too many strange looks, and the ones i do get are from folk in their 4#4 as they drive past
i have a clarke that i bought at the abbey on iona, that i love more for the memory than the sound, but it has a sweet breathy sound that i lke better than the generations i've had. whistle players sniff when they see it, but at least it does no damage, since no one could hear it in a session, and i don't take it out anyway.
I took up clarinet at 52 (3 years ago) and whistle a year after that so that I would have something I could carry in my pocket and also take to sessions.
I was inspired to start clarinetting by a brilliant young player I saw. I ended up saying to myself: "you have been saying to yourself for years that you are a musician who has just never learned an instrument. If you don't do something about this now you will be on your deathbed moaning: "oh I wish i'd learned an instrument!"
Doing this has transformed my life.
And anyway, in ten years time I'll still be the same age whether I have been playing music or not.
Obsessive behaviour
Obsessive behaviour
You know, when I joined "thesession" I was asked to complete a profile and for some obscure reason I put down that one of my instruments was a whistle. The reality was that I had a small collection that I had collected over the years with the intention of eventually learning to play properly. Well events finally conspired in my favour and over the last few weeks I found myself with significantly more free time. In addition, my finances took a battering and any hopes of upgrading my mandolin evaporated in an instant. Feeling sorry for myself one day I went over to my old Generation and 'tooted' away contentedly (I use the term advisedly), Now this sad looking apology for a whistle is a poor example of the instrument and each note is likely to make purists yelp as it is flat on all the notes .. and of course it is untuneable!
Nonetheless something happened that day and since then I walk around everywhere with either this, or my Clarke whistle. I am like a lovelorn teenager and equally obsessed! Trouble is, I am a 55 year old man and should be (so I am told) more adult and responsible. But i don't want to be - I love my obsession and I can't see anyone being harmed. I did acknowledge my family's ears might be harmed by the lack of perfection in the tuning in the Generation. Consequently, and on the advice of a local whistler I ordered a couple of Dixon's - so you can't accuse me of not thinking of other people!
Joking apart, my turning to a new instrument has been like a breath of fresh air. It has re-envigorated my enthusiasm for the 'simpler' tunes, enhanced my playing of mandolin and guitar by giving me a fresh view of things, and generally made me stop, slow down and take time to look at the basics.
Taking up the whistle has made me return to the foundation stones of my musical ability and as a result forced me to stop complicating things. The early struggles I had all those years ago with my guitar and mando are in the past and are now replaced by the mystery of how do whistlers make that upper octave sound clear and pure. I am a beginner and although desperate to be a competent player I have to accept it will happen in good time. But I am an impatient grumpy old man and that doesn't come easily to someone with an obsession!!!. Still I am happy and long may it continue!
So Santa if you are reading this - make sure my Dixon is in your bag ... and for the next few years can I have a flute, bouzouki, chanter, fiddle, harp .....
In the meantime - suggestions for any good tunes for a beginner whistler are always appreciated
D
# Posted on December 15th 2007 by WelshGuy
Re: Obsessive behaviour
Discussion: free music
# Posted on December 13th 2007 by peniguisel
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/16088
# Posted on December 15th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Obsessive behaviour
I thought obsessive behaviour was the basic qualification for this forum - we're all in the same boat.
Beware the concomittant Instrument Acquisition Syndrome - my wife's only comment when she found I'd bought ANOTHER concertina AND an Irish bouzouki was "At least it wasn't a Harley Davidson !".
# Posted on December 16th 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Obsessive behaviour
I understand, believe me. I too keep promising to learn the whistle, I have a house full of them.
And I have time on my side, I am only 54.
# Posted on December 16th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: Obsessive behaviour
Was it not the famous Lord Franklin, on being told that he was too old to go on ( his last ) polar exploration, who replied, "Sir, I am ONLY fifty-nine !" ?
# Posted on December 16th 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Obsessive behaviour
Have sympathy for Lord Franklin. If you give in to the 'too old to go' tag, you ain't ever going to go. Much better to have a go now, whatever your age, than never, hey? Never too old to start and if you aren't chasing dreams you aren't living either I recon.
Having said that I have managed to keep a whistle for some 30+ years in my fiddle case without ever really being able to play it. The occasional bit of a tootle at something sweet and slow taken out by someone else so I can just hang in on it a bit, but it stays in my fiddle case just in case.
Maybe there is a town like Hamlyn somewhere or other that needs to be rid of rats one day - and I'll be ready ta do ma duty!
# Posted on December 16th 2007 by Clear Drops
Re: Obsessive behaviour
It's easy to make your gen tuneable, just put the head in very hot, not boiling water, to soften the glue, pull and twist firmly and the head should release; might take a few attempts - voila a tuneable gen.
I actually took up whistle at 52 and quickly moved on to flute and now, on the cusp of my 53rd birthday have acquired a shacuhachi; just a young thing really.
# Posted on December 16th 2007 by gostrangely
Re: Obsessive behaviour
Careful with that hot water Eugene
As the metal expands, it can split the plastic.
There must be a self group for old grey whistle wannabes; I have half a dozen and have great fun when the house is empty.
Liam
# Posted on December 16th 2007 by billiamconkey
Re: Obsessive behaviour
I will turn 49 tomorrow and yesterday I picked up my birthday gift (well it's an everything gift, birthday, Hannukah and Christmas) - a Martin DX1 guitar. I played it in a store about 5 months ago and wanted it ever since. I'm spoiled. This is a big gift this year. But, there are so many other things I don't do (don't get out much other than to play). And, they took a trade in on my very basic Yamaha (CG-101) - $50, which is better than nothing (it probably cost about $100).
I've been playing guitar since I was an 10 year old although I didn't really start to play until I went to a music camp as a teen and learned how to play folk. I've put the guitar down at times, but my daughter loves my playing. She's disable and uses some sign language and one of her signs is music. She uses that sign as well to indicate she wants to go to the coffee house where I play in a session. So, it's become a big part of her development. I've been playing for her for about 6 years now. It was time for a better guitar.
I'm wondering about other instruments as well. It's great relaxation for me and I need that deperately.
Enjoy your obsession.
# Posted on December 16th 2007 by grumblingoldwoman
Re: Obsessive behaviour
Oh I thought everybody knew that about Generations - tuneable. But wait, I went to my fiddle case and looked inside and my one Generation D had reproduced into three! How could that have happened? One is a collapsible Doolin. Perhaps there are more floating around somewhere, who knows. So out comes the "C" and Boulevogue comes out (that's about me level). Nice beginner's tune Welshman.
The problem is that I really don't have time to get obsessive over whistles when there are so many other things to be obsessive over (ie. fiddles). Can't be obsessive about everything - not enough hours in a day as it is.
(Sorry, I think I've over done my thesession quota for the day, but carry on regardless) A self help group for old grey whistle wannabes sounds like a great idea. Are you going to start one, billiam? ... count me in ... and good on you, gostrangely, sachuhachi at 53 sounds terrific to me - that should keep you out of mischief fer a decade or two at least. I used to be in a hurry but I'm not anymore, just lovin' the journey and appreciating some very beautiful tunesl. Love it (like everybody else here).
# Posted on December 16th 2007 by Clear Drops
Re: Obsessive behaviour
Welshman, you are being "adult and responsible"
What better example of finish what you start or don't give up could you give a younger person.
Welcome from one musically obessive to another.
Mary
# Posted on December 16th 2007 by Antikhntr
Re: Obsessive behaviour
Harley Davidson makes bouzoukis? Do they have that patented Harley roar?
# Posted on December 16th 2007 by Bob himself
Re: Obsessive behaviour
Damn, now I kind of want to get a whistle and learn it. I just think I might. Would be so nice to be able to carry it around and play anywhere.
Thanks for infecting me. Many people's lives will be a slight bit worse thanks to you. I wonder how many times I can play Saddle the Pony (badly) over and over in public before being clubbed to death.
# Posted on December 16th 2007 by Marklar
Re: Obsessive behaviour
Personally, obsessed as i am with Trad, i find the whistle to be ideal. When i need to get some fresh air, take a walk, i am able to feed my obsession by playing the whistle as i walk. In fact thats about the only time i play the whistle, luckily living in rural ireland i dont get too many strange looks, and the ones i do get are from folk in their 4#4 as they drive past
# Posted on December 16th 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: Obsessive behaviour
I wouldn't worry jig until you turn around and see 50 + rats merrily scampering after you in the crisp morning air. Slim.
# Posted on December 17th 2007 by chuneboi slim
Re: Obsessive behaviour
i have a clarke that i bought at the abbey on iona, that i love more for the memory than the sound, but it has a sweet breathy sound that i lke better than the generations i've had. whistle players sniff when they see it, but at least it does no damage, since no one could hear it in a session, and i don't take it out anyway.
# Posted on December 17th 2007 by 'tinamatt
Re: Obsessive behaviour
Note to bob - the Harley bouzouki has a great roar, but is so big it can't be played very fast.
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Obsessive behaviour
I took up clarinet at 52 (3 years ago) and whistle a year after that so that I would have something I could carry in my pocket and also take to sessions.
I was inspired to start clarinetting by a brilliant young player I saw. I ended up saying to myself: "you have been saying to yourself for years that you are a musician who has just never learned an instrument. If you don't do something about this now you will be on your deathbed moaning: "oh I wish i'd learned an instrument!"
Doing this has transformed my life.
And anyway, in ten years time I'll still be the same age whether I have been playing music or not.
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by qwertyuiop
Re: Obsessive behaviour
Oops, lost control of my quotation marks there.
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by qwertyuiop