Here's something I discovered on YouTube - very beautiful music and very nice playing by Sir James Galway but who can name that whistle??? That is the question!!!
Lot of people asked about it on the Web site but I don't think any one had any success and somebody wrote that "it is an GFTM Tin Whistle" What's that ?????
James Galway specializes in Irish Flute, I'm surprised there's no Irish responses D:
The above is just one of over three hundred mostly postive comments on that performance by Galway. So there's your chance Llig. Get on there and fill your boots.
If it is an Abell (never saw one in real life) how would you compare the sound with a Burke or a Sindt for example. Looks like Galway is using a wood instrument.
These days, I'm in the "business" of buying flute-type instruments: bought a Hohner soprano recorder, a Moeck alto recorder, a Generation brass whistle in F (the only one I could find in brass - the others were nickel) and... and...
... I ordered a Sindt - my instrument will ship in about 4 months - CAN'T WAIT to hold it in my hands!!!
Abells are built of blackwood, just like a wood piccolo, and have a full, sweet sound. If you want a sound like a wee flute as opposed to the chiffy sound of a tin whistle, and if you have a bit of money to spend, then an Abell is for you. I know a lot of people who play them, and they tend to fall in love with them. Myself, my plain old Clarke has always been good enough.
What is the wood (not blackwood) of the one in the video?
I would also be interested in knowing more about the whistle mentioned on the YouTube comments;
"It is an GFTM Tin Whistle, imho one of the best Whistles in the world, I prefer the sound of these... But they are very expensive if you think that this is just that little piece of instrument... It's made out auf caoutchouc and copper which leads to this very nice and clear sound."
~ http://www.youtube.com/rickwhv
free reed--he doesnt specialize in irish flute. he does not pretend to. he is irish, and plays the flute, and plays irish melodies--it is easy to understand where the confusion may lie. someone i know has an interview of james galway on tape where someone asked about him playing irish music, and sir galway was very adamant that he does NOT play irish music, but irish tunes.
also, to further that point... james galway recently has shown an interest in learning how to play authentic irish music. i will leave it at that, but i know someone who is preparing materials to help him out with that. so, if james galway thought he played irish music, then why would he be trying to learn how to play irish *flute?
*as far as i know, he is only interested in playing irish music on the silver flute. as a silver flute player myself, i do not find this to be contradictory, and it further proves he understands the difference between what he is doing and what you CAN do to play irish music on the silver flute.
I have not listened very much to Sir Galway. On the related clips he seems to *favour* the vibrato.
Jocelyne, you were asking about comparisons with the Burke.
Here's Joannie playing a Burke whistle;
Joannie Madden & Mary Coogan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAyENIYI328
i agree w/Mark Harmer about the vibrato and here's why- it is not a "whistley" vibrato. I understand that vibrato is appropriate to the whistle, but to my ear (and perhaps others') it sounds better done with the fingers, not with the throat...
Fair play to Mr. Galway... However, vibrato is also abused in Classical music... It is, in excess anywhere, and in Irish music, an abomination, true of trad music in general, including singing... But that discussion, though we've been there in the past, would be best carried forward in its own thread...
Respect to anyone who has the humility to acknowledge their limitations and the interest and appreciation to take further steps toward a fuller understanding...
The basic point about vibrato, so often forgotten, and this goes right back to the Baroque period (approx 1600 - 1850), is that it is an ornament, and should always be treated as such.
The second point is that when a player has attained a certain level of relaxation and competence vibrato is only too easy to do and can become automatic. This applies especially to variable pitch instruments (fiddle, whistle, flute and voice in Irish music), and partly explains why it is so prevalent in classical music and non-Irish music today. Although, to be fair, the professional and better amateur orchestras and choirs control it if they have a conductor who is on the ball and thinking about the music.
Another point is that vibrato can be mis-used to cover up poor intonation. This has been a regular complaint going right back to the 18th century.
Vibrato, if it's going to be used with due regard to whatever music is being played, should be under control at all times, including on/off, amplitude, frequency, and detail such as whether the vibrato is above, below or either side of the main note. And if you're a fiddler do you do vibrato using the just the hand or the fore-arm or a combination of the two (see the Todd Ehle videos on YouTube for more discussion on this)? For instance, It wouln't be sensible to attempt to use vibrato on 1/8 notes in a reel or jig at a typical session or dance tempo because the frequency of the vibrato (6-8 Hz perhaps) would be too close to the speed of the notes, but you might wish to use it on the final sustained note if you're playing in a ceili. Talking of ceilis, an occasion where a wide schmaltzy vibrato is appropriate, or even desirable 'cos the punters like it, would be a slow waltz during an interlude between the set dances and barn dances.
Why does vibrato exist? Used well it can be very expressive, and it does indeed enrich the tone by generating extra harmonics. This is also why it is so easy to overdo.
Just to add, it's not that I don't necessarily dislike vibrato as an ornament, and I like particularly the variety of vibrato that's done with the fingers. It's just that Galway's vibrato just seems to be constant and unsubtle - it's just plain wobbly to me, a bit like one of those Venetian schmaltzy cafe orchestras.
Maybe he learned to play underwater, or perhaps unicycling along a corrugated iron roof. That would probably explain it.
I watched this video on YouTube with Joannie Madden playing the Burke whistle. She's very very good. The whistle sounds very very good also, I think it is similar to Sindt right?
Also, Joannie had some vibrato in her tune and she was doing it with her fingers, so I really agree with Pipewatcher: it sounds better done with the fingers.
Can't do it on the piano either and on a church organ, there's a button you pull to have the vibrato effect but when you do it, it feels like all the giant pipes will fall over your head.
On a lighter note........I love the story told by James himself about the time he was visiting Dublin and rang up his friend who played flute with the Radio Eireann Light orchestra. The flute player's mother answered the phone and informed James that her son was out. James asked the mother to tell him that James Galway rang. The mother then asked James if he was enquiring about flute lessons......!!!!!!
It's a Chis Abell high D in African blackwood with silver ferules. Chris produces a very fine whistle with very good consistency. They are a tad expensive, but that kind of craft takes time.
James' whistle certainly looks at home in the company of the other finely crafted instruments in his orchestra.
This clip and this answer have been covered comprehensively elsewhere 3 times that I have seen in the last 5 years. Funny how history repeats.
The original soundrack had Alan Doherty playing these tunes .. in a much more "trad" style. Not sure what whistle he used ... sounds like an Overton.
New game - What is that whistle?
New game - What is that whistle?
Here's something I discovered on YouTube - very beautiful music and very nice playing by Sir James Galway but who can name that whistle??? That is the question!!!
Lot of people asked about it on the Web site but I don't think any one had any success and somebody wrote that "it is an GFTM Tin Whistle" What's that ?????
# Posted on February 28th 2009 by Jocelyne
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
Oh, forgot to give you the link :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZIDzoTAh8I
There we go it is better like that!!!
Sorry :(
# Posted on February 28th 2009 by Jocelyne
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
Nice sounding whistle, but I find James Galway's vibrato just horrible.
# Posted on February 28th 2009 by Mark Harmer
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
Oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear.
# Posted on February 28th 2009 by ...
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
Seems I've read somewhere before that he plays an Abell, and that is what that whistle appears to be.
# Posted on February 28th 2009 by stonepiper
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
James Galway specializes in Irish Flute, I'm surprised there's no Irish responses D:
The above is just one of over three hundred mostly postive comments on that performance by Galway. So there's your chance Llig. Get on there and fill your boots.
# Posted on February 28th 2009 by Free Reed
The Abell Flute Company
http://www.abellflute.com/
http://www.abellflute.com/whistle.html
# Posted on February 28th 2009 by ceolachan
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
If it is an Abell (never saw one in real life) how would you compare the sound with a Burke or a Sindt for example. Looks like Galway is using a wood instrument.
These days, I'm in the "business" of buying flute-type instruments: bought a Hohner soprano recorder, a Moeck alto recorder, a Generation brass whistle in F (the only one I could find in brass - the others were nickel) and... and...
... I ordered a Sindt - my instrument will ship in about 4 months - CAN'T WAIT to hold it in my hands!!!
# Posted on February 28th 2009 by Jocelyne
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
Abells are built of blackwood, just like a wood piccolo, and have a full, sweet sound. If you want a sound like a wee flute as opposed to the chiffy sound of a tin whistle, and if you have a bit of money to spend, then an Abell is for you. I know a lot of people who play them, and they tend to fall in love with them. Myself, my plain old Clarke has always been good enough.
# Posted on February 28th 2009 by AlBrown
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
What is the wood (not blackwood) of the one in the video?
I would also be interested in knowing more about the whistle mentioned on the YouTube comments;
"It is an GFTM Tin Whistle, imho one of the best Whistles in the world, I prefer the sound of these... But they are very expensive if you think that this is just that little piece of instrument... It's made out auf caoutchouc and copper which leads to this very nice and clear sound."
~ http://www.youtube.com/rickwhv
# Posted on February 28th 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
*
someone else dropped Fred Rose name . . .
# Posted on February 28th 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
it is an abell.
free reed--he doesnt specialize in irish flute. he does not pretend to. he is irish, and plays the flute, and plays irish melodies--it is easy to understand where the confusion may lie. someone i know has an interview of james galway on tape where someone asked about him playing irish music, and sir galway was very adamant that he does NOT play irish music, but irish tunes.
also, to further that point... james galway recently has shown an interest in learning how to play authentic irish music. i will leave it at that, but i know someone who is preparing materials to help him out with that. so, if james galway thought he played irish music, then why would he be trying to learn how to play irish *flute?
*as far as i know, he is only interested in playing irish music on the silver flute. as a silver flute player myself, i do not find this to be contradictory, and it further proves he understands the difference between what he is doing and what you CAN do to play irish music on the silver flute.
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by daiv
Re: New game - ?
Od, Od, Od, Od
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
Following Mark's Post I'm wondering what's wrong with Mr. Galway vibrato?
I rather like it, it is melodious to my ear.
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by Jocelyne
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
I have not listened very much to Sir Galway. On the related clips he seems to *favour* the vibrato.
Jocelyne, you were asking about comparisons with the Burke.
Here's Joannie playing a Burke whistle;
Joannie Madden & Mary Coogan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAyENIYI328
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
i agree that the vibrato is nice. last time i checked, "concerning hobbits" was not an irish tune, and it fits the piece very well.
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by daiv
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
i agree w/Mark Harmer about the vibrato and here's why- it is not a "whistley" vibrato. I understand that vibrato is appropriate to the whistle, but to my ear (and perhaps others') it sounds better done with the fingers, not with the throat...
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by pipewatcher
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
It's blackwood!
Fair play to Mr. Galway... However, vibrato is also abused in Classical music... It is, in excess anywhere, and in Irish music, an abomination, true of trad music in general, including singing... But that discussion, though we've been there in the past, would be best carried forward in its own thread...
Respect to anyone who has the humility to acknowledge their limitations and the interest and appreciation to take further steps toward a fuller understanding...
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by ceolachan
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
The basic point about vibrato, so often forgotten, and this goes right back to the Baroque period (approx 1600 - 1850), is that it is an ornament, and should always be treated as such.
The second point is that when a player has attained a certain level of relaxation and competence vibrato is only too easy to do and can become automatic. This applies especially to variable pitch instruments (fiddle, whistle, flute and voice in Irish music), and partly explains why it is so prevalent in classical music and non-Irish music today. Although, to be fair, the professional and better amateur orchestras and choirs control it if they have a conductor who is on the ball and thinking about the music.
Another point is that vibrato can be mis-used to cover up poor intonation. This has been a regular complaint going right back to the 18th century.
Vibrato, if it's going to be used with due regard to whatever music is being played, should be under control at all times, including on/off, amplitude, frequency, and detail such as whether the vibrato is above, below or either side of the main note. And if you're a fiddler do you do vibrato using the just the hand or the fore-arm or a combination of the two (see the Todd Ehle videos on YouTube for more discussion on this)? For instance, It wouln't be sensible to attempt to use vibrato on 1/8 notes in a reel or jig at a typical session or dance tempo because the frequency of the vibrato (6-8 Hz perhaps) would be too close to the speed of the notes, but you might wish to use it on the final sustained note if you're playing in a ceili. Talking of ceilis, an occasion where a wide schmaltzy vibrato is appropriate, or even desirable 'cos the punters like it, would be a slow waltz during an interlude between the set dances and barn dances.
Why does vibrato exist? Used well it can be very expressive, and it does indeed enrich the tone by generating extra harmonics. This is also why it is so easy to overdo.
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by Trevor Jennings
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
In response to ceolqchqn's suggestion I'm putting my comment on vibrato into a new thread, for general discussion.
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by Trevor Jennings
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
Just to add, it's not that I don't necessarily dislike vibrato as an ornament, and I like particularly the variety of vibrato that's done with the fingers. It's just that Galway's vibrato just seems to be constant and unsubtle - it's just plain wobbly to me, a bit like one of those Venetian schmaltzy cafe orchestras.
Maybe he learned to play underwater, or perhaps unicycling along a corrugated iron roof. That would probably explain it.
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by Mark Harmer
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
I watched this video on YouTube with Joannie Madden playing the Burke whistle. She's very very good. The whistle sounds very very good also, I think it is similar to Sindt right?
Also, Joannie had some vibrato in her tune and she was doing it with her fingers, so I really agree with Pipewatcher: it sounds better done with the fingers.
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by Jocelyne
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
Oh Mark, I just loved the way you described how Mr. Galway learned to do his vibrato!!!
You're too funny
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by Jocelyne
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
Thanks! And bear in mind, I could be jealous - after all, I can't do vibrato on the harp.
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by Mark Harmer
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
Can't do it on the piano either and on a church organ, there's a button you pull to have the vibrato effect but when you do it, it feels like all the giant pipes will fall over your head.
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by Jocelyne
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0yCw9xm0E4
"How do i do it??? Man, how do i stop it??!!
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by pipewatcher
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
ceolachan, thanks for identifying the wood.
I have not had the pleasure of working with blackwood ~
'Dalbergia melanoxylon' (?)
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/blackwood,%20african.htm
From googling I believe I have used Ebony (to a limited extent) ~ Diospyros spp.
http://hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/ebony,%20gaboon.htm
I still have not penned down the species for caoutchouc.
Jocelyn, John Skelton plays a Sindt whistle. Searching YouTube I found him playing flute, bombarde, & gaita (?) . . . no whistle.
# Posted on March 1st 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
On a lighter note........I love the story told by James himself about the time he was visiting Dublin and rang up his friend who played flute with the Radio Eireann Light orchestra. The flute player's mother answered the phone and informed James that her son was out. James asked the mother to tell him that James Galway rang. The mother then asked James if he was enquiring about flute lessons......!!!!!!
# Posted on March 2nd 2009 by Free Reed
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
It's a Chis Abell high D in African blackwood with silver ferules. Chris produces a very fine whistle with very good consistency. They are a tad expensive, but that kind of craft takes time.
James' whistle certainly looks at home in the company of the other finely crafted instruments in his orchestra.
This clip and this answer have been covered comprehensively elsewhere 3 times that I have seen in the last 5 years. Funny how history repeats.
The original soundrack had Alan Doherty playing these tunes .. in a much more "trad" style. Not sure what whistle he used ... sounds like an Overton.
# Posted on March 3rd 2009 by Mozle
Re: New game - What is that whistle?
Jocelyne
Here is a great clip of young Clodagh Holland playing the Swallowtail and the Curlew beautifully on a Sindt .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjY6hV_DYok&NR=1
# Posted on March 3rd 2009 by cabers