Hi everybody, I have been playing the recorder for 20 years (Im 25) and now I am really interesting in the irish whistle. I have recently started playing with a small band but I need a good whistle. Since I come from Iceland it is difficult for me to just go and buy the instruments I have a good friend in Belfast though.
What I want to ask you is what kind of whistles are good? I have 2 waltons tin whistles but they are both out of tune and dont cover the upper notes very well. Is there a place on the internet where I could order good whistles?
This question of yours is one very difficult to answer. Actually there is a thread in this site with many comments about it.
Some people is happy with cheap whistles such as generation, clarke, feadog (although I've never heard a good review of Waltons's), some others enjoy improved inexpensive whistles, and some others believe a very good whistle makes a difference.
There's a lare range of whistles (expensive and inexpensive) of all materials and keys one could imagine.
I suggest you to visit the Chiff and Fipple Site: http://www.chiffandfipple.com , which has an excellent review of any kind of whistles plus makers and sellers addresses.
I could recommend some of them, but everyone likes different things about whistles, so I think it's better you judge and choose by yourself.
Hi there. If your friend in belfast would be prepared to chase some out for you - you should get them to try Marcus Music in Belfast. They will be able to get you what ever you want..and give you lots of advice too. Most makes of inexpensive whistles will play well,,except i would also advise against Waltons!
Marcus Music can be found at 125 Royal Avenue Belfast. They also do a mail order service.
Good Luck
Hello Rannveig
It's the same situation in Sweden. Almost impossible to find whistles at all. Generation and Clarke are the only ones you can get in swedish music stores. Though I have good experiences of the Clarke's Sweetone and can really recommend them. (though they are a litlle silent for playing in a band)
For buying any kind of celtic instrument, try hobgoblin music (www.hobgoblin.com). They got all kinds of cheap and expensive whistles.
Or build your own like i do. Try Kim Fulton-Bennet's online instructions to make a really good copper whistle (http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/6611/makewhis.htm).
Good Luck!
Lars
Whistles are small enough that it shouldn't be too expensive to ship them from the Irish States of America. Try www.thewhistleshop.com, after you go through the reviews in "Chiff and Fipple".
Just to throw my tuppence in. By all means avoid the Waltons make. I have found them tuneless and nasty. The Feadog model is OK, but rather inconsistent. Best bet is just to get a Generation D and learn to play on that. I have been playing for a long, long time and tried just about every kind of whistle including some of the outrageously over-priced wooden varieties. My favourite whistles are still my 20+ years old (almost older than you!) Generation D and E flat and Clarkes C. I have heard good players play beautifully on cheap whistles and bad players play badly on $300 whistles. Whereas I always advise novice fluteplayers to avoid buying cheap flutes "just to learn on", because there are "flutes" and then there are FLUTES. But,
you can't go too far wrong with the cheaper whistles and the Generations are usually in tune for band playing. And as someone has noted, it really depends what kind of sound you want. Anyway, first you have to learn. Good luck!
I also play recorder(s). Just play that. If enough of us do it, it will become more accepted--just like the banjo, for instance. Especially good for (sorry for mentioning it on this site) slow airs. I especially like my Yamaha plastic (!) one in C. Very durable and in tune. Oh well, i also play whistles. You just have to keep trying Generations till you get a good one. I also like the Susato plastic ones, but, again, the quality varies. If you get a good one, they're very nice. Not as "bright" as the metal whistles. There was a guy in Chicago that showed plastic whistles that he had made at the Tionol there in 1999. They were the best plastic, all-round whistles that I'd seen. But i can't remember the name, and i didn't get one cause i was broke. Good Luck.
Thank you so much. I have checked out the websites mentioned and they contain a lot of good stuff. I really appreciate your advises.
Best wishes, Rannveig
I have to tell you.....I've never been a great fan of the Susatos but I just rcvd the VSB in D (and F) and for an inexpensive whistle.....I'm impressed. I just returned from the N. TX Irish Festival and saw one group that used the Susatos exclusively. My blackwood Thin Weazel is my favorite but for a backup.......it would be the VSB.
Be forwarned when going to the Chiffandfipple site finding yourself with the WHOA's.
That's what happened to me. It turns out to be a quest to find the perfect whistle that is suitable for your needs. You might end up with quite a collection when you are through...
I started out on Generations, then Soodlum, then oak, then susato, then chieftain... then.... I am back to the susato vsb. I am equally as impressed with this new line of whistles. The only problem I am finding with them is they have a tendancy to clog up quickly.
I have been told that jet dry does the trick. I have not tried it out as of yet.
Oh yes, Laura is right. I forgot to warn you about WHOAS.
Just for the record: I own a walton (D), two generations (C & D), a Clarke Original, a Clarke sweetone (C), and improved nickel Generation (D), three Susatos (D, low G, and low A), a Burke's D brass wide bore (that's my little jewel), a Kerry (low D) and a Tony Dixon's (low D). And I'm on Pat O'Riordan's waiting list for a wooden D whistle.
Hi there - F.A.O Toni Ribas!
I was thinking of purchasing a Burke whistle - but din't know whether to go go the wide or intermediate bore.
What do you think of them??
Toni,
What is your opinion of the Tony Dixon Low D whistle? I have a Tony Dixon D whistle and I like it quite a bit and was thinking about adding a low D to my expanding collection- yup, I also have that disorder. I'm interested in any feedback regarding Low D whistles. Thanks
I just have a wide bore Burke, I didn't try the intermediate one. One of the reasons I chose the bore was because I read somewhere (probably C&F) that it was a bit louder, and I was looking for a good, loud whistle to be played in noisy sessions and even noisier gigs. I must say I'm very happy with it. I strongly recommend the Burke brass bore, it's a lovely instrument. Unfortunately I haven't tried famous whistles such as Copeland and Sindt, so I can't make any comparison between them.
Whistlegirl, I love the sound of the Tony Dixon's low D. Very nice and 'fluty', specially on the second octave. The first octave is a bit too low, specially the lower notes(D & E). The only 'regretable' thing is that it's not a loud whistle, so I can't play it in sessions, 'cause I can't even hear myself. When I play at home, though, it's fantastic.
Perhaps the loudness thing is a problem of mine. I'm still developing my technique in low whistles, so it could be a problem of blowing properly. A friend of Will has one and, as far as I recall, he's very happy with it, isn't he, Will?
Hi,
As a person who has been playing the whistle for 34 years, I can suggest that you consider purchasing an instrument from Chris Abel at the Abel Flute Company ( see abel website).
After years of playing on cheap instruments I decided to go upmarket having seen one in Ireland.
Its the best bye I ever made.
RTW
I'd suggest Matchet's Music, right off of Donegall Square Belfast. Buy a Shaw wistle for a tenner... you can't do better than that. A mate of mine works there & he'll sort u out... Clarks - nice open more flute-like sound, but the second octave isn't so nice. the Feadog... generally if u get one make in the last 20 years, they're too squeaky for me... the older ones are nice. Shaw's whistles are lovely... nice sound, 2nd octave beautiful, usually quite well tuned. For about ten quid you can't get a nicer one. really.
Also, Micheleq --- Marcus Music is nearly always more expensive than Matchets' (there are two Matchet's by the way just a few doors down from each other), although Marcus has some higher end whistles -- sort of chieftan's style.
Whistles, help please!!!
Whistles, help please!!!
Hi everybody, I have been playing the recorder for 20 years (Im 25) and now I am really interesting in the irish whistle. I have recently started playing with a small band but I need a good whistle. Since I come from Iceland it is difficult for me to just go and buy the instruments
I have a good friend in Belfast though.
What I want to ask you is what kind of whistles are good? I have 2 waltons tin whistles but they are both out of tune and dont cover the upper notes very well. Is there a place on the internet where I could order good whistles?
Thank you so much for your help
Rannveig, Iceland
# Posted on March 6th 2002 by rannveig
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
thewhistleshop.com is pretty comprehensive, Rannveig.
Walton whistles are usually in tune, unless you have a very old one.
# Posted on March 6th 2002 by SeamusNZ
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
Hi Rannveig,
This question of yours is one very difficult to answer. Actually there is a thread in this site with many comments about it.
Some people is happy with cheap whistles such as generation, clarke, feadog (although I've never heard a good review of Waltons's), some others enjoy improved inexpensive whistles, and some others believe a very good whistle makes a difference.
There's a lare range of whistles (expensive and inexpensive) of all materials and keys one could imagine.
I suggest you to visit the Chiff and Fipple Site: http://www.chiffandfipple.com , which has an excellent review of any kind of whistles plus makers and sellers addresses.
I could recommend some of them, but everyone likes different things about whistles, so I think it's better you judge and choose by yourself.
All the best
# Posted on March 6th 2002 by Toni Ribas
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
Hi there. If your friend in belfast would be prepared to chase some out for you - you should get them to try Marcus Music in Belfast. They will be able to get you what ever you want..and give you lots of advice too. Most makes of inexpensive whistles will play well,,except i would also advise against Waltons!
Marcus Music can be found at 125 Royal Avenue Belfast. They also do a mail order service.
Good Luck
# Posted on March 6th 2002 by Michele Q
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
Hello Rannveig
It's the same situation in Sweden. Almost impossible to find whistles at all. Generation and Clarke are the only ones you can get in swedish music stores. Though I have good experiences of the Clarke's Sweetone and can really recommend them. (though they are a litlle silent for playing in a band)
For buying any kind of celtic instrument, try hobgoblin music (www.hobgoblin.com). They got all kinds of cheap and expensive whistles.
Or build your own like i do. Try Kim Fulton-Bennet's online instructions to make a really good copper whistle (http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/6611/makewhis.htm).
Good Luck!
Lars
# Posted on March 6th 2002 by lars
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
Whistles are small enough that it shouldn't be too expensive to ship them from the Irish States of America. Try www.thewhistleshop.com, after you go through the reviews in "Chiff and Fipple".
Good luck!
# Posted on March 7th 2002 by glauber
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
GLAUBER - Whats this Irish states of America???????
# Posted on March 7th 2002 by Michele Q
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
hehehe....a nation of Iroids, that's us Yanks.
Zina
# Posted on March 7th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
Just to throw my tuppence in. By all means avoid the Waltons make. I have found them tuneless and nasty. The Feadog model is OK, but rather inconsistent. Best bet is just to get a Generation D and learn to play on that. I have been playing for a long, long time and tried just about every kind of whistle including some of the outrageously over-priced wooden varieties. My favourite whistles are still my 20+ years old (almost older than you!) Generation D and E flat and Clarkes C. I have heard good players play beautifully on cheap whistles and bad players play badly on $300 whistles. Whereas I always advise novice fluteplayers to avoid buying cheap flutes "just to learn on", because there are "flutes" and then there are FLUTES. But,
you can't go too far wrong with the cheaper whistles and the Generations are usually in tune for band playing. And as someone has noted, it really depends what kind of sound you want. Anyway, first you have to learn. Good luck!
# Posted on March 7th 2002 by LongNote
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
I also play recorder(s). Just play that. If enough of us do it, it will become more accepted--just like the banjo, for instance. Especially good for (sorry for mentioning it on this site) slow airs. I especially like my Yamaha plastic (!) one in C. Very durable and in tune. Oh well, i also play whistles. You just have to keep trying Generations till you get a good one. I also like the Susato plastic ones, but, again, the quality varies. If you get a good one, they're very nice. Not as "bright" as the metal whistles. There was a guy in Chicago that showed plastic whistles that he had made at the Tionol there in 1999. They were the best plastic, all-round whistles that I'd seen. But i can't remember the name, and i didn't get one cause i was broke. Good Luck.
# Posted on March 7th 2002 by cliff
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
Dear everyone
Thank you so much. I have checked out the websites mentioned and they contain a lot of good stuff. I really appreciate your advises.
Best wishes, Rannveig
# Posted on March 7th 2002 by rannveig
Frankenwhistle
I thought this was interesting (but not interesting enough to start a new thread):
http://www.flutesite.com/frankenwhistle.htm
# Posted on March 9th 2002 by glauber
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
I have to tell you.....I've never been a great fan of the Susatos but I just rcvd the VSB in D (and F) and for an inexpensive whistle.....I'm impressed. I just returned from the N. TX Irish Festival and saw one group that used the Susatos exclusively. My blackwood Thin Weazel is my favorite but for a backup.......it would be the VSB.
# Posted on March 10th 2002 by Gault802
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
Be forwarned when going to the Chiffandfipple site finding yourself with the WHOA's.
That's what happened to me. It turns out to be a quest to find the perfect whistle that is suitable for your needs. You might end up with quite a collection when you are through...
I started out on Generations, then Soodlum, then oak, then susato, then chieftain... then.... I am back to the susato vsb. I am equally as impressed with this new line of whistles. The only problem I am finding with them is they have a tendancy to clog up quickly.
I have been told that jet dry does the trick. I have not tried it out as of yet.
Good luck on your quest and enjoy the journey!!!!
Laura
# Posted on March 12th 2002 by hillfolk
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
Oh yes, Laura is right. I forgot to warn you about WHOAS.
Just for the record: I own a walton (D), two generations (C & D), a Clarke Original, a Clarke sweetone (C), and improved nickel Generation (D), three Susatos (D, low G, and low A), a Burke's D brass wide bore (that's my little jewel), a Kerry (low D) and a Tony Dixon's (low D). And I'm on Pat O'Riordan's waiting list for a wooden D whistle.
You better be ready for this.
Good luck.
# Posted on March 12th 2002 by Toni Ribas
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
Hi there - F.A.O Toni Ribas!
I was thinking of purchasing a Burke whistle - but din't know whether to go go the wide or intermediate bore.
What do you think of them??
Cheers now
# Posted on March 12th 2002 by Michele Q
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
Toni,
What is your opinion of the Tony Dixon Low D whistle? I have a Tony Dixon D whistle and I like it quite a bit and was thinking about adding a low D to my expanding collection- yup, I also have that disorder. I'm interested in any feedback regarding Low D whistles. Thanks
# Posted on March 12th 2002 by whistlegirl in RI
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
Michele,
I just have a wide bore Burke, I didn't try the intermediate one. One of the reasons I chose the bore was because I read somewhere (probably C&F) that it was a bit louder, and I was looking for a good, loud whistle to be played in noisy sessions and even noisier gigs. I must say I'm very happy with it. I strongly recommend the Burke brass bore, it's a lovely instrument. Unfortunately I haven't tried famous whistles such as Copeland and Sindt, so I can't make any comparison between them.
Whistlegirl, I love the sound of the Tony Dixon's low D. Very nice and 'fluty', specially on the second octave. The first octave is a bit too low, specially the lower notes(D & E). The only 'regretable' thing is that it's not a loud whistle, so I can't play it in sessions, 'cause I can't even hear myself. When I play at home, though, it's fantastic.
Perhaps the loudness thing is a problem of mine. I'm still developing my technique in low whistles, so it could be a problem of blowing properly. A friend of Will has one and, as far as I recall, he's very happy with it, isn't he, Will?
Toni.
# Posted on March 12th 2002 by Toni Ribas
Oops ! I nearly forgot. Will has a Tony Dixon's low D himself !
Have you been playing it a lot, WIll?
# Posted on March 12th 2002 by Toni Ribas
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
Hi,
As a person who has been playing the whistle for 34 years, I can suggest that you consider purchasing an instrument from Chris Abel at the Abel Flute Company ( see abel website).
After years of playing on cheap instruments I decided to go upmarket having seen one in Ireland.
Its the best bye I ever made.
RTW
# Posted on March 21st 2002 by ricthewhistle
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
Hi Rannveig,
I'd suggest Matchet's Music, right off of Donegall Square Belfast. Buy a Shaw wistle for a tenner... you can't do better than that. A mate of mine works there & he'll sort u out... Clarks - nice open more flute-like sound, but the second octave isn't so nice. the Feadog... generally if u get one make in the last 20 years, they're too squeaky for me... the older ones are nice. Shaw's whistles are lovely... nice sound, 2nd octave beautiful, usually quite well tuned. For about ten quid you can't get a nicer one. really.
Ádh mór,
searaí
# Posted on March 22nd 2002 by searai
Re: Whistles, help please!!!
Also, Micheleq --- Marcus Music is nearly always more expensive than Matchets' (there are two Matchet's by the way just a few doors down from each other), although Marcus has some higher end whistles -- sort of chieftan's style.
# Posted on March 22nd 2002 by searai