Hi fellow whistlers
I got three tin whistles for my birthday, in the keys D, C and F. The usage of the D one is quite self-evident, but what do I use the others to? Which types of songs are played with whistles in those keys?
C whistle is handy for tunes in D minor and G minor. F is good for G minor as well but is generally a little used whistle for tune based trad music. Great for bands that have GHB though
Both are very handy for tunes in F and C! There's plenty of tunes in those keys. Just look them up in the database here.
It's common to find tunes played in F and C in East Clare and East Galway so if you're ever going there be sure to bring those whistles.
C whistle is also very handy if playing with a piper who has a C chanter or if you come across a session where the fiddlers have tuned their fiddles down a whole step to C, this happens regularly enough and has a great mellow sound.
I've just got hold of Mary Bergin's 'Feadoga Stain' - she plays on C and F whistles as well as others, so you could play along with her in the comfort of your own home!
Tunes on a C whistle just sound a whole lot nicer and more mellow than on a D-whistle, IMHO. Keep it for whenever you get the space to play beautiful music on your own terms.
And C, well, a lot of tunes were played that way, old single-rows in C, and if you happen to have a friend so limited, or you just feel like taking things down a step...
Oh yeah, you'll need an Eb, A & Bb next... And if you were damned with one of those pipsqueek little F whistles, you need a nice low F one, and maybe a low G too...
I'm with nicholas - sometimes Danny and I get the C or Bb and duet a few reels with just the bodhran player. Yes, it's exclusive to an extent, but once in a session is acceptable, I think, and the lower pitch is lovely.
The other thing is to see if you can actually play in Dmin and Gmin on the D - it doesn't half improve your technique!
Conversely, I used to prefer airs on the Bb, but now I think they sound better on the D - more evocative (and they also carry better in a noisy pub).
Was at a session lately were a lot of the older waltzes and song type tunes were being played, many being sung to. Was in need of my C whistle, which, regrettably, I didn't have with me. As Al Brown said C is great for accompaning singers and most intruments can play in C as well. F, if it's the small one is great if your teaching younger children to play - they can't always reach the holes properly on the D whistle
Tin whistle in C and F, what to do?
Tin whistle in C and F, what to do?
Hi fellow whistlers
I got three tin whistles for my birthday, in the keys D, C and F. The usage of the D one is quite self-evident, but what do I use the others to? Which types of songs are played with whistles in those keys?
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by HannesP
Re: Tin whistle in C and F, what to do?
C whistle is handy for tunes in D minor and G minor. F is good for G minor as well but is generally a little used whistle for tune based trad music. Great for bands that have GHB though
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by Bogman
Re: Tin whistle in C and F, what to do?
Julia Delaneys (D dorian) is an obvious example of a tune often played on a C whistle
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/589
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by Bogman
Re: Tin whistle in C and F, what to do?
Or conversely, you could just play any tune you want on them that you think suits. (though not in a session of course)
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by llig leahcim
Re: Tin whistle in C and F, what to do?
Both are very handy for tunes in F and C! There's plenty of tunes in those keys. Just look them up in the database here.
It's common to find tunes played in F and C in East Clare and East Galway so if you're ever going there be sure to bring those whistles.
C whistle is also very handy if playing with a piper who has a C chanter or if you come across a session where the fiddlers have tuned their fiddles down a whole step to C, this happens regularly enough and has a great mellow sound.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by The Transcriber
Re: Tin whistle in C and F, what to do?
I've just got hold of Mary Bergin's 'Feadoga Stain' - she plays on C and F whistles as well as others, so you could play along with her in the comfort of your own home!
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by west-coaster
Re: Tin whistle in C and F, what to do?
Tunes on a C whistle just sound a whole lot nicer and more mellow than on a D-whistle, IMHO. Keep it for whenever you get the space to play beautiful music on your own terms.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by nicholas
Re: Tin whistle in C and F, what to do?
The low F is also a favourite for slow airs...
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by ceolachan
And C, well, a lot of tunes were played that way, old single-rows in C, and if you happen to have a friend so limited, or you just feel like taking things down a step...
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by ceolachan
Oh yeah, you'll need an Eb, A & Bb next... And if you were damned with one of those pipsqueek little F whistles, you need a nice low F one, and maybe a low G too...
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Tin whistle in C and F, what to do?
I'm with nicholas - sometimes Danny and I get the C or Bb and duet a few reels with just the bodhran player. Yes, it's exclusive to an extent, but once in a session is acceptable, I think, and the lower pitch is lovely.
The other thing is to see if you can actually play in Dmin and Gmin on the D - it doesn't half improve your technique!
Conversely, I used to prefer airs on the Bb, but now I think they sound better on the D - more evocative (and they also carry better in a noisy pub).
Max
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by maxF
Re: Tin whistle in C and F, what to do?
They are good for use with singers, who often don't stick to the same keys as your local tune session......
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by AlBrown
Re: Tin whistle in C and F, what to do?
Was at a session lately were a lot of the older waltzes and song type tunes were being played, many being sung to. Was in need of my C whistle, which, regrettably, I didn't have with me. As Al Brown said C is great for accompaning singers and most intruments can play in C as well. F, if it's the small one is great if your teaching younger children to play - they can't always reach the holes properly on the D whistle
# Posted on July 5th 2008 by Fiddler101