Hey, everybody. Long time lurker, first time poster.
My birthday is coming up, and I felt like it'd be a good excuse to get a new whistle. Right now I'm playing a Clarke MEG (which I THINK is essentially the same as a Sweetone).
I've been browsing around, and the ones that have caught my eye are the:
I'm fairly new to whistles (only been playing for about five months), so I must rely on the experience of the Session's community to help guide me. I've heard some bad things about Generations, but to me they sound pretty good - most of the time (granted, a whistle can only be as good as the whistler). Plus, from the description, this isn't your ordinary Generation (also denoted by the $36 price tag).
The tweaked Clarke sounds a bit too breathy to me, but I've only heard it once.
So I guess what I'm asking is: Has anybody here had any experience with these whistles? Can anyone recommend any whistles for a kind of-noobie whistler?
Thanks in advance. I'm glad to finally be apart of the crowd.
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
Hi Mozan. That should be apart FROM the crowd, not apart of.
In my experience there is nothing wrong with buying a cheap whistle whenever you see it. For a few dollars you will gain as much in experience as in the pleasure of trying out your new toy. At the same time as finding out what you don't like in a whistle, you will learn what different sounds you can make. A bit of masking tape over a hole here or there will not do any harm while you are messing about, and in a year's time we will be asking you for your advice.
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
Check out Tony Dixon's whistles. They are nice and not too expensive. In the meantime, save up for a Michael Burke. These are the ones I always reach for. Have fun!!
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
Gam:
That makes a lot sense. I used to do that with jaw harps, buying different shaped ones to see which I liked best,so it makes sense that the same method would apply to tin whistles. I guess that was the reason I bought a recorder for cheap when a had the chance.
Al:
I'll admit, the breathy sound can be something wonderful, but I was trying to find something less breathy to practice on. Also, I tip my hat to you, sir, for writing such an amazing guide to sessions. That thing is impressive.
JW: Dixon has also been on my radar. And I see why you say "save up" for a Burke! Sheesh! Oh, and thank you for the furtive birthday wishing.
Thanks everybody for your input. This is really helping.
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
I have one each of Jerry Freeman's various "tweaked" whistles in front of me right now.
My favourite is the tweaked Feadog D. Wonderful traditional sound, with lovely round low notes and amazingly sweet high notes. A great player: the voicing is just right.
My all-time favourite D whistle is the old-style Feadog I've been playing since the late 1970's. Jerry's tweaked new Feadog plays very much like it, with that unmistakable Feadog sound.
When I need to play louder I have a Burke aluminum D.
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
You might also consider a Tweaked Mellow Dog (based on a Walton's D) or a Susato (though you'll likely hear a lot of folks trying hard to steer you toward or away from Susatos).
You might poke around Chiff & Fipple for further advice; there you'll find rather exhaustive (and occasionally exhausting reviews.
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
I have a Freeman tweaked Mellow Dog in front of me now... I myself don't like its tone as much as the Feadog. The Feadog has that old-time character to its tone.
Susatos are REALLY loud. I have one and I only use it for the very rare occasion when I need to blast, like playing in a very loud session (several accordions and banjos).
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
I've taught whistle for a good number of years now and my advice, for what it's worth, would be to treat yourself to a couple of CDs, or a different tutor book, rather than another whistle. If you're serious about becoming a good trad musician, with only five months playing you'd be better sticking with the instrument you have and learning it's quirks and how to overcome them. Give it another couple of years and you'll know what sort of sound (and so whistle characteristics) that you're looking for.
By way of a gentle tease, what is it with Americans and collecting whistles?
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
Playing tunes, learning new tunes and collecting instruments.
These are three different hobbies - not always related. The
easiest one to do is give money to people selling instruments.
Sigh - I do it too, but I don't bother with whistles - one is enough.
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
I know what you mean PJ... I was out at a folk festival and I was talking to a guy who, from what he was saying, had one of each sort of whistle ever made. He could rattle off every maker and what the whistles were like and how much they cost etc.
I got the impression that he wasn't much of a player.
I'm sort of the opposite: I got a Feadog I really liked back in the 70's and it's the only D I've played since then, except for the Susato D I bought back in the 80's for the rare occasions that I have to play really loud. (I don't like the way it plays or its tone at all actually.) So 30 years on one whistle.
Now, I did by a Burke "session bore" D a year or two ago because that Feadog is very sweet and quiet and just can't be heard in anything other than a rather quiet session. I've actually played the Burke very little, as my main session instrument is the Low D.
So, why do I have one of each of Jerry Freeman's tweaked whistles in front of me? They're on loan from Jerry.
Now, what I do question a bit is PJ's comment that "you'd be better sticking with the instrument you have and learning its quirks and how to overcome them."
If this means aquiring a good instrument and spending a lot of time on it and really getting to know how it performs intimately, rather than dinking around on a load of different instruments, I wholeheartedly agree.
But if this means having a defective instrument and struggling to overcome its flaws, I disagree. Any teacher of any instrument will tell you that it's better to learn on an instrument that functions properly, and teacher after teacher will tell you that you should begin of the best instrument you can afford.
Whistles are so very inexpensive, compared to most any other instrument, that it just doesn't make any sense to struggle with one that doesn't play properly. For the price of a few pints you can get one that plays great.
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
To further agree with PJ, just remembered one of the first bits of advice I got over 30 years ago when I was just learning Irish flute: get a good flute and stick with it.
Every flute is a unique animal with a way of playing all its own and you make the best progress by sticking to one and getting to know it very well. Whistles aren't as quirky as flutes but PJ's point is well taken.
Around three years ago I had to give up playing flute and had to accept that the Low D whistle would be my main instrument.
I went on a Low D buying spree so that I could play all the leading brands at length and get used to what each one did do well and didn't do well... but the end goal was to end up with ONE and I have done.
Now all my focus will be on playing that whistle as well as I can.
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
Richard, mind telling us which one you've gone for?
And to the original poster - I love Susatos. I've played (nearly) none other fifteen years or so. They are loud, and need lots of air for the upper reach (or they are loud and flat) but they are a great whistle!
That said, that bloke from the "Chieftains" plays a generation, so they cannot be all bad
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
The Dixon 'trad'. is a significant 'step up' from basic £5 / Є5 / $5 whistles - -for not a lot more money - so well wortha try, even if you do eventually buy one of the much more expensive 'trophy' whistles.
I have a Susato - that I didn't persue playing -a bit too loud for my beginner practice, and was not too keen on the tone. However, over this weekend, finding it at the back of a cupboar, I. re-tried it.
Now I am a little more proficient - I did appreciate its fast response : possible to play very clean / precise decoration. I can see why the likes of Kevin Crawford chooses to play one stage performance.
Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
Hey, everybody. Long time lurker, first time poster.
My birthday is coming up, and I felt like it'd be a good excuse to get a new whistle. Right now I'm playing a Clarke MEG (which I THINK is essentially the same as a Sweetone).
I've been browsing around, and the ones that have caught my eye are the:
Tweaked Generation in D
http://www.thewhistleshop.com/catalog/whistles/inexpensive/Generations/tweaked.htm
Tweaked Clarke
http://www.thewhistleshop.com/catalog/whistles/inexpensive/Clarke/Tweeked/tweeked.htm
I'm fairly new to whistles (only been playing for about five months), so I must rely on the experience of the Session's community to help guide me. I've heard some bad things about Generations, but to me they sound pretty good - most of the time (granted, a whistle can only be as good as the whistler). Plus, from the description, this isn't your ordinary Generation (also denoted by the $36 price tag).
The tweaked Clarke sounds a bit too breathy to me, but I've only heard it once.
So I guess what I'm asking is: Has anybody here had any experience with these whistles? Can anyone recommend any whistles for a kind of-noobie whistler?
Thanks in advance. I'm glad to finally be apart of the crowd.
# Posted on October 3rd 2009 by Mozan
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
Hi Mozan. That should be apart FROM the crowd, not apart of.
In my experience there is nothing wrong with buying a cheap whistle whenever you see it. For a few dollars you will gain as much in experience as in the pleasure of trying out your new toy. At the same time as finding out what you don't like in a whistle, you will learn what different sounds you can make. A bit of masking tape over a hole here or there will not do any harm while you are messing about, and in a year's time we will be asking you for your advice.
# Posted on October 3rd 2009 by gam
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
I like untweaked Clarkes myself, that breathy tone is the sound of authenticity!
# Posted on October 3rd 2009 by AlBrown
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
Check out Tony Dixon's whistles. They are nice and not too expensive. In the meantime, save up for a Michael Burke. These are the ones I always reach for. Have fun!!
# Posted on October 3rd 2009 by justwhistle
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
... and happy birthday
# Posted on October 3rd 2009 by justwhistle
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
Gam:
That makes a lot sense. I used to do that with jaw harps, buying different shaped ones to see which I liked best,so it makes sense that the same method would apply to tin whistles. I guess that was the reason I bought a recorder for cheap when a had the chance.
Al:
I'll admit, the breathy sound can be something wonderful, but I was trying to find something less breathy to practice on. Also, I tip my hat to you, sir, for writing such an amazing guide to sessions. That thing is impressive.
JW: Dixon has also been on my radar. And I see why you say "save up" for a Burke! Sheesh! Oh, and thank you for the furtive birthday wishing.
Thanks everybody for your input. This is really helping.
# Posted on October 3rd 2009 by Mozan
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
I have one each of Jerry Freeman's various "tweaked" whistles in front of me right now.
My favourite is the tweaked Feadog D. Wonderful traditional sound, with lovely round low notes and amazingly sweet high notes. A great player: the voicing is just right.
My all-time favourite D whistle is the old-style Feadog I've been playing since the late 1970's. Jerry's tweaked new Feadog plays very much like it, with that unmistakable Feadog sound.
When I need to play louder I have a Burke aluminum D.
# Posted on October 3rd 2009 by Richard D Cook
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
You might also consider a Tweaked Mellow Dog (based on a Walton's D) or a Susato (though you'll likely hear a lot of folks trying hard to steer you toward or away from Susatos).
reviews.
You might poke around Chiff & Fipple for further advice; there you'll find rather exhaustive (and occasionally exhausting
# Posted on October 3rd 2009 by waltcamp45
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
I have a Freeman tweaked Mellow Dog in front of me now... I myself don't like its tone as much as the Feadog. The Feadog has that old-time character to its tone.
Susatos are REALLY loud. I have one and I only use it for the very rare occasion when I need to blast, like playing in a very loud session (several accordions and banjos).
# Posted on October 4th 2009 by Richard D Cook
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
I've taught whistle for a good number of years now and my advice, for what it's worth, would be to treat yourself to a couple of CDs, or a different tutor book, rather than another whistle. If you're serious about becoming a good trad musician, with only five months playing you'd be better sticking with the instrument you have and learning it's quirks and how to overcome them. Give it another couple of years and you'll know what sort of sound (and so whistle characteristics) that you're looking for.
By way of a gentle tease, what is it with Americans and collecting whistles?
# Posted on October 4th 2009 by Sweeney Astray
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
Playing tunes, learning new tunes and collecting instruments.
These are three different hobbies - not always related. The
easiest one to do is give money to people selling instruments.
Sigh - I do it too, but I don't bother with whistles - one is enough.
# Posted on October 4th 2009 by Hup
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
I know what you mean PJ... I was out at a folk festival and I was talking to a guy who, from what he was saying, had one of each sort of whistle ever made. He could rattle off every maker and what the whistles were like and how much they cost etc.
I got the impression that he wasn't much of a player.
I'm sort of the opposite: I got a Feadog I really liked back in the 70's and it's the only D I've played since then, except for the Susato D I bought back in the 80's for the rare occasions that I have to play really loud. (I don't like the way it plays or its tone at all actually.) So 30 years on one whistle.
Now, I did by a Burke "session bore" D a year or two ago because that Feadog is very sweet and quiet and just can't be heard in anything other than a rather quiet session. I've actually played the Burke very little, as my main session instrument is the Low D.
So, why do I have one of each of Jerry Freeman's tweaked whistles in front of me? They're on loan from Jerry.
Now, what I do question a bit is PJ's comment that "you'd be better sticking with the instrument you have and learning its quirks and how to overcome them."
If this means aquiring a good instrument and spending a lot of time on it and really getting to know how it performs intimately, rather than dinking around on a load of different instruments, I wholeheartedly agree.
But if this means having a defective instrument and struggling to overcome its flaws, I disagree. Any teacher of any instrument will tell you that it's better to learn on an instrument that functions properly, and teacher after teacher will tell you that you should begin of the best instrument you can afford.
Whistles are so very inexpensive, compared to most any other instrument, that it just doesn't make any sense to struggle with one that doesn't play properly. For the price of a few pints you can get one that plays great.
# Posted on October 4th 2009 by Richard D Cook
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
To further agree with PJ, just remembered one of the first bits of advice I got over 30 years ago when I was just learning Irish flute: get a good flute and stick with it.
Every flute is a unique animal with a way of playing all its own and you make the best progress by sticking to one and getting to know it very well. Whistles aren't as quirky as flutes but PJ's point is well taken.
Around three years ago I had to give up playing flute and had to accept that the Low D whistle would be my main instrument.
I went on a Low D buying spree so that I could play all the leading brands at length and get used to what each one did do well and didn't do well... but the end goal was to end up with ONE and I have done.
Now all my focus will be on playing that whistle as well as I can.
# Posted on October 4th 2009 by Richard D Cook
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
Richard, mind telling us which one you've gone for?
And to the original poster - I love Susatos. I've played (nearly) none other fifteen years or so. They are loud, and need lots of air for the upper reach (or they are loud and flat) but they are a great whistle!
That said, that bloke from the "Chieftains" plays a generation, so they cannot be all bad
# Posted on October 5th 2009 by MartinJongleur
Re: Beginner/Intermediate Whistler Seeks New Whistle
The Dixon 'trad'. is a significant 'step up' from basic £5 / Є5 / $5 whistles - -for not a lot more money - so well wortha try, even if you do eventually buy one of the much more expensive 'trophy' whistles.
I have a Susato - that I didn't persue playing -a bit too loud for my beginner practice, and was not too keen on the tone. However, over this weekend, finding it at the back of a cupboar, I. re-tried it.
Now I am a little more proficient - I did appreciate its fast response : possible to play very clean / precise decoration. I can see why the likes of Kevin Crawford chooses to play one stage performance.
# Posted on October 5th 2009 by Col Arco