Do you ever get tired of hearing the whistle in sessions?
I usually play a goodly percentage of the tunes at the sessions I attend. Do you think my friends may get tired of hearing the whistle so much? In almost every tune? I am having a great time, but is it possible that the most delightful instrument in the tradition could actually, dare I say, become tedious?
I've been playing whistle at sessions for a few years now and I get very tired of hearing myself play, but as far as other people hearing you play, it would depend on your playing ability and not making those horrible high squeeks. If you play resonably well know one should have a problem. I took up mandolin and Irish flute becuse i'm just so sick of playing whistle.
There's nowhere to hide a whistle. If it's good, it helps drive the session.
If it's bad ... everybody knows it's bad. Fiddle is the best "hiding"
instrument. If people smile when you sit down at the table, you're
probably ok ... or maybe they're really nice?
I think most whistle players hanker after playing something else as well, and thereby coming out from the realms of elves into those of men, or possibly orcs. Flute or pipes are natural choices. I know two who are engaged with the fiddle. Though I have a flute (unplayed for a long time), I went from whistle to melodeon because the latter's qualities are so opposite, both in the noises it makes and in the feel of playing it, and give the player (at any rate) various kinds of enjoyment that the whistle does not.
Though it's also a leap from the price of a London pint to the price of an up-market cruise - if you buy a good box, that is. Or can be, anyway.
The whistle is the backbone of this music. Compact and cheap yet in the right hands can bring a tear to a glass eye.
There is an "in your face" QUALITY about the sound of a tin whistle playing the same stuff as instruments worth thousands of dollars and somehow outshining them that really gets me.
I sometimes get a little moist in the eyes hearing the spoons or a teachest bass.
Am I becoming elitist?
the whistle is definitely not becoming tedious. we were recently entering an instrumental group competition, with no whistle. we felt that there was something missing, so one of us played the whistle and it made the wotld of difference. I have been playing the whistle for 10 years, and although I play other instruments, i will always go back to the whistle as my favourite, Keep playin people lol!!!!!!!!
The only times I get tired of the whistle are when someone's noodling loudly and when there are a bunch of whistles playing at once, because they're almost always out of tune with each other and painfully dissonant on the high notes. A lot of people pull out a different instrument or quieter whistle when that starts to happen, luckily.
"Do you ever get tired of hearing the whistle in sessions?"
Nope! Love it. It's the classic expected sound of diddly-music.
"Do you think my friends may get tired of hearing the whistle so much?"
Ask them!
Feardearg, I think it's you who is itching to try something else, if you'll excuse my primitive analysis.
Low whistle? Maybe try making that funny flute face? Go for it!
...but I betcha your friends couldn't care less, you're probably worrying too much. If they're true 'friends' they shouldn't care, or they should be willing to tell you if they do!
I also play guitar, mandolin, and low D. I want to take up the penny on the glass. That sounds interesting.
I once told someone (maybe 5 years ago) that I would like to learn to play the fiddle before I croak. She said "you better start now".
Yeah, two whistles are usually really intolerable. I keep an eye on what others are playing. When they pick up the whistle, I will play something else, play in the lower octave during the high parts, or just stop playing.
I think two whistles is great and three is better. But that's when they're in the hands of competent players playing fast stuff, especially if someone else is playing subtle fiddle, guitar, piano-accordion, e.g., alongside them. Flook! of course do this, the Bothies did now and then; as a break of reasonable length amid the more usual session sounds, it can be astonishing music.
I get sick of hearing myself play whistle too. That's why I picked up flute. Sometimes I can go for a couple weeks without going back to the whistle. But when I do, I find that I've really missed the little bugger. Sometimes we get 3 whistles playing at once at our session. I do find that intolerable and just stop playing. The other 2 whistles are Susatos which I think are too loud for our sessions. Can't talk them into getting a quieter whistle. I don't understand that with the price so low, etc.
Feardearg,
I know from experience that you play very well. I definitely love the melody and show it in your playing. When you practice do you still feel tired of the whistle?
Yes two whistles can be too much to handle. Especially when there is no thought to tune with fixed pitch instruments.
If you still tire after all this, play with the melody dynamically and figure out variations on tunes. If this is the solution to the tiredness.
hope that was helpful
Oh no, I am not tired of it at all. I hope I didn't give that impression.
A friend from church heard me play the whistle one day and decided to learn how to make them. he does a rthater fine job. But when we go camping he brings it along. After a while, it becomes very irritating. So he makes one for a young lady at church. She plays it until it gets extremely irritating. Now, granted, they are just beginning. But I was wondering if I have crossed the line, too. That's all.
Good to hear from you MadFluter. We all miss you at sessions and otherwise.
Anyone here know Paulette Gershon? She studied with and sounds very similar to Mary Bergin. Whistle is the only instrument I have ever heard her play. A-OK with me.
I get tired of whistle playing when it is part of every tune in the evening. I prefer it when people who play other instruments switch off to the whistle from time to time, that mixes things up and keeps them interesting. In fact, everyone on every instrument should not be afraid to take a break once in a while, enjoy some listening, and allow some variety into the proceedings.
Mr. G:
No, no, no! I love your whistle playing. Are you kidding? I have a couple myself that I toot around on, and if I had the wind I'd take it up seriously.
So what time do they start over in Birmingham these days? I'm working over that way most days, and if I manage to get things together, I'll wander by sometime.
Tired of the Whistle
Tired of the Whistle
Do you ever get tired of hearing the whistle in sessions?
I usually play a goodly percentage of the tunes at the sessions I attend. Do you think my friends may get tired of hearing the whistle so much? In almost every tune? I am having a great time, but is it possible that the most delightful instrument in the tradition could actually, dare I say, become tedious?
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by feardearg
Re: Tired of the Whistle
I've been playing whistle at sessions for a few years now and I get very tired of hearing myself play, but as far as other people hearing you play, it would depend on your playing ability and not making those horrible high squeeks. If you play resonably well know one should have a problem. I took up mandolin and Irish flute becuse i'm just so sick of playing whistle.
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by thangbrand
Re: Tired of the Whistle
There's nowhere to hide a whistle. If it's good, it helps drive the session.
If it's bad ... everybody knows it's bad. Fiddle is the best "hiding"
instrument. If people smile when you sit down at the table, you're
probably ok ... or maybe they're really nice?
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by Hup
Re: Tired of the Whistle
Oh, no, mandolin is the best hiding instrument. Nobody can hear you in any case.
Do you have somebody you can trust to give you an honest answer? I'd simply come out and ask.
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by TaoCat
Re: Tired of the Whistle
Ha ha! I stand corrected, TaoCat.
There is a whistle player at my session ... can't say any more ....
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by Hup
Re: Tired of the Whistle
I think you have to remember sometimes that it's not the whistle that got you interested in whistle. It's the music.
Whistles become tedious because they are demanding little sprites and all work with no play makes Bloggs a boring little plonker.
And as Marrie Antionette said:
"They have no whistles!!?? Let them play cake."
I have tried playing cake - I'm going to get me a mando.
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by Mozle
Re: Tired of the Whistle
I think most whistle players hanker after playing something else as well, and thereby coming out from the realms of elves into those of men, or possibly orcs. Flute or pipes are natural choices. I know two who are engaged with the fiddle. Though I have a flute (unplayed for a long time), I went from whistle to melodeon because the latter's qualities are so opposite, both in the noises it makes and in the feel of playing it, and give the player (at any rate) various kinds of enjoyment that the whistle does not.
Though it's also a leap from the price of a London pint to the price of an up-market cruise - if you buy a good box, that is. Or can be, anyway.
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by nicholas
Re: Tired of the Whistle
The whistle is the backbone of this music. Compact and cheap yet in the right hands can bring a tear to a glass eye.
There is an "in your face" QUALITY about the sound of a tin whistle playing the same stuff as instruments worth thousands of dollars and somehow outshining them that really gets me.
I sometimes get a little moist in the eyes hearing the spoons or a teachest bass.
Am I becoming elitist?
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by mcknowall
Re: Tired of the Whistle
In the sessions I attend we have a great whistle player. Never get tired of his playing, rather the opposite.
Don't worry.
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by Henk Bos
Re: Tired of the Whistle
the whistle is definitely not becoming tedious. we were recently entering an instrumental group competition, with no whistle. we felt that there was something missing, so one of us played the whistle and it made the wotld of difference. I have been playing the whistle for 10 years, and although I play other instruments, i will always go back to the whistle as my favourite, Keep playin people lol!!!!!!!!
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by bernadettem
Re: Tired of the Whistle
Tired of the whistle? Tired of life
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by ...
Re: Tired of the Whistle
The only times I get tired of the whistle are when someone's noodling loudly and when there are a bunch of whistles playing at once, because they're almost always out of tune with each other and painfully dissonant on the high notes. A lot of people pull out a different instrument or quieter whistle when that starts to happen, luckily.
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by Whiddler
Re: Tired of the Whistle
"Do you ever get tired of hearing the whistle in sessions?"
Nope! Love it. It's the classic expected sound of diddly-music.
"Do you think my friends may get tired of hearing the whistle so much?"
Ask them!
Feardearg, I think it's you who is itching to try something else, if you'll excuse my primitive analysis.
Low whistle? Maybe try making that funny flute face? Go for it!
...but I betcha your friends couldn't care less, you're probably worrying too much. If they're true 'friends' they shouldn't care, or they should be willing to tell you if they do!
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Tired of the Whistle
I also play guitar, mandolin, and low D. I want to take up the penny on the glass. That sounds interesting.
I once told someone (maybe 5 years ago) that I would like to learn to play the fiddle before I croak. She said "you better start now".
Yeah, two whistles are usually really intolerable. I keep an eye on what others are playing. When they pick up the whistle, I will play something else, play in the lower octave during the high parts, or just stop playing.
Thanks for these great responses!
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by feardearg
Re: Tired of the Whistle
I think two whistles is great and three is better. But that's when they're in the hands of competent players playing fast stuff, especially if someone else is playing subtle fiddle, guitar, piano-accordion, e.g., alongside them. Flook! of course do this, the Bothies did now and then; as a break of reasonable length amid the more usual session sounds, it can be astonishing music.
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by nicholas
Re: Tired of the Whistle
I get sick of hearing myself play whistle too. That's why I picked up flute. Sometimes I can go for a couple weeks without going back to the whistle. But when I do, I find that I've really missed the little bugger. Sometimes we get 3 whistles playing at once at our session. I do find that intolerable and just stop playing. The other 2 whistles are Susatos which I think are too loud for our sessions. Can't talk them into getting a quieter whistle. I don't understand that with the price so low, etc.
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by justwhistle
Re: Tired of the Whistle
Feardearg,
I know from experience that you play very well. I definitely love the melody and show it in your playing. When you practice do you still feel tired of the whistle?
Yes two whistles can be too much to handle. Especially when there is no thought to tune with fixed pitch instruments.
If you still tire after all this, play with the melody dynamically and figure out variations on tunes. If this is the solution to the tiredness.
hope that was helpful
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by madfluter
Re: Tired of the Whistle
Oh no, I am not tired of it at all. I hope I didn't give that impression.
A friend from church heard me play the whistle one day and decided to learn how to make them. he does a rthater fine job. But when we go camping he brings it along. After a while, it becomes very irritating. So he makes one for a young lady at church. She plays it until it gets extremely irritating. Now, granted, they are just beginning. But I was wondering if I have crossed the line, too. That's all.
Good to hear from you MadFluter. We all miss you at sessions and otherwise.
# Posted on December 2nd 2008 by feardearg
Re: Tired of the Whistle
Feardearg, I very much admire and enjoy your whistle playing. Do not ever think that your playing is tedious to another’s ear. It’s an inspiration.
Your singing could use some work, though.
# Posted on December 3rd 2008 by fidkid
Re: Tired of the Whistle
just kidding, you know that, right ?
# Posted on December 3rd 2008 by fidkid
Re: Tired of the Whistle
...about the singing
# Posted on December 3rd 2008 by fidkid
Re: Tired of the Whistle
I asked my mates tonight if I was tedious. They didn't think so. Kind souls. I sang once. they all needed a break to step away anyway. Great time.
# Posted on December 3rd 2008 by feardearg
Re: Tired of the Whistle
Anyone here know Paulette Gershon? She studied with and sounds very similar to Mary Bergin. Whistle is the only instrument I have ever heard her play. A-OK with me.
# Posted on December 3rd 2008 by Ailin
Re: Tired of the Whistle
I get tired of whistle playing when it is part of every tune in the evening. I prefer it when people who play other instruments switch off to the whistle from time to time, that mixes things up and keeps them interesting. In fact, everyone on every instrument should not be afraid to take a break once in a while, enjoy some listening, and allow some variety into the proceedings.
# Posted on December 3rd 2008 by AlBrown
Re: Tired of the Whistle
Mr. G:
No, no, no! I love your whistle playing. Are you kidding? I have a couple myself that I toot around on, and if I had the wind I'd take it up seriously.
So what time do they start over in Birmingham these days? I'm working over that way most days, and if I manage to get things together, I'll wander by sometime.
# Posted on December 4th 2008 by tomw
Re: Tired of the Whistle
They start at 8:00p. Had a great time this last Tuesday.
# Posted on December 5th 2008 by feardearg