I'm learning the aire called The Lonesome Boatman. I needed some help on certain parts so I turned to the sheet music. My whistle tutors say that I should play the note G sharp by covering 1,2 and 4,5 holes. The sheet music (in Hannigan and Ledsam's book) calls for the G sharp note as the second note in the B part of the tune (tune is written in the key of D). From recordings of this tune, my ear tells me how it should sound, approximately. (Then again my one recording sounds like the tune is being played "transposed up one note from D"--from the Riverdance album I belive.) I seem to get the "best effect" by covering the first hole completely and the 2nd and 3rd holes partially. Whistlers, what is your advice on how to handle this note?
I cover the first two holes and half-hole the third. This is near impossible (for me) to do on a fast tune, but on a slow air like the "The Lonesome Boatman" it should be much easier to finger. It sounds better than XXO XXO, in my opinion.
What Jonathan and Fyffer both said. Partial holing on airs is particularly lovely as it lets you slide into/out of the note and wiggle your finger around to get "vocal" effects; and if you apply a tuner you may find that it's actually even more accurate, although perhaps a bit "breathier," which, at certain times (like in slow airs) can be a Good Thing.
Learn to play it both ways and it simply expands your "bag of tricks."
Every whistle and every whistler are unique, with their own idiosyncricies. Bring them together and and to create a good marriage they must find ways to accomodate each other's strengths and weaknesses without fighting. What is "correct" is what creates harmony in the pairing.
Now throw in a tune and you have a three body problem, beyond the powers of mankind to analyze. The relationship is simply too complicated. A tune is an honored guest of the whistle/whistler marriage, and each one is also unique and must be entertained in the appropriate manner for that particular gathering of souls; at that particular time and place.
If it feels right it is. If it doesn't, it's not. Follow your ear and your heart.
Personally I have no idea why you would partial hole the bottom two instead of just the bottom one, but I'm not you and I don't play your whistle. If it works for you, do it.
And you're a better man than I am. I've just given it a try and can't do a damn thing with it.
Most whistles won't give you a true note when you use that kind of cross-fingering, and that's especially obvious with slow airs. I will sometimes cross finger (or even ignore an accidental) when playing dance tunes, but for a slow air, definitely, half-hole that note.
One way of playing a G# is to half-hole the G note. Playing a G note requires covering the three top holes of the whistle so you cover the first two holes and half of the third one.
Thanks for all the replies--it helps when I'm learning a new tune. I made a mistake when I wrote how I played the note. I actually cover the first AND second holes and only half cover the thrid and fourth. Yes, this allows for a more dramatic transition from the preceeding note. So I'll stick with it.
Gees, I've been looking for that tune for a while now."The lonesome boatman" have ya got some way to send it to me over the internet???
Much appreaciated. Thanks bud.
I'm only a new member and it's a deadly site.
I'm with danny boy - I'd like to get the tune. I got one from another site, but it's a full abc transcription of the way Finbar Furey plays it, with all of his ornamentation, and it's almost impossible to follow. I know this site is not supposed to be for slow airs, but I can't seem to get it from anywhere else.
G sharp on whistle
G sharp on whistle
I'm learning the aire called The Lonesome Boatman. I needed some help on certain parts so I turned to the sheet music. My whistle tutors say that I should play the note G sharp by covering 1,2 and 4,5 holes. The sheet music (in Hannigan and Ledsam's book) calls for the G sharp note as the second note in the B part of the tune (tune is written in the key of D). From recordings of this tune, my ear tells me how it should sound, approximately. (Then again my one recording sounds like the tune is being played "transposed up one note from D"--from the Riverdance album I belive.) I seem to get the "best effect" by covering the first hole completely and the 2nd and 3rd holes partially. Whistlers, what is your advice on how to handle this note?
# Posted on March 1st 2005 by Madharp
Re: G sharp on whistle
I cover the first two holes and half-hole the third. This is near impossible (for me) to do on a fast tune, but on a slow air like the "The Lonesome Boatman" it should be much easier to finger. It sounds better than XXO XXO, in my opinion.
~Jonathan
# Posted on March 1st 2005 by jdave
Re: G sharp on whistle
There is no "right way" to play any note.
Play it how it feels best, and sounds best.
# Posted on March 1st 2005 by FyfferGuy
Re: G sharp on whistle
What Jonathan and Fyffer both said. Partial holing on airs is particularly lovely as it lets you slide into/out of the note and wiggle your finger around to get "vocal" effects; and if you apply a tuner you may find that it's actually even more accurate, although perhaps a bit "breathier," which, at certain times (like in slow airs) can be a Good Thing.
Learn to play it both ways and it simply expands your "bag of tricks."
Every whistle and every whistler are unique, with their own idiosyncricies. Bring them together and and to create a good marriage they must find ways to accomodate each other's strengths and weaknesses without fighting. What is "correct" is what creates harmony in the pairing.
Now throw in a tune and you have a three body problem, beyond the powers of mankind to analyze. The relationship is simply too complicated. A tune is an honored guest of the whistle/whistler marriage, and each one is also unique and must be entertained in the appropriate manner for that particular gathering of souls; at that particular time and place.
If it feels right it is. If it doesn't, it's not. Follow your ear and your heart.
Personally I have no idea why you would partial hole the bottom two instead of just the bottom one, but I'm not you and I don't play your whistle. If it works for you, do it.
And you're a better man than I am. I've just given it a try and can't do a damn thing with it.
KFG
# Posted on March 1st 2005 by KFG
Re: G sharp on whistle
Make it easier on yourself and just half-hole the G#. It's what I do for the fast tunes that call for the note.
# Posted on March 1st 2005 by CaliforniaPiper
Re: G sharp on whistle
I'd half hole it, without a doubt. But try the options and pick what fits you best.
If the note sounds right, you're not doing it wrong.
If the note sounds wrong, you're not doing it right.
# Posted on March 1st 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: G sharp on whistle
KFG,
love your marriage analogie
" ... A tune is an honored guest of the whistle/whistler marriage ... "
it opens a whole world of idea's for me ...
thanks,
mm
# Posted on March 1st 2005 by MM
Re: G sharp on whistle
Maybe you better save the thanks until I go on about my divorce anology.
KFG
# Posted on March 1st 2005 by KFG
Re: G sharp on whistle
Most whistles won't give you a true note when you use that kind of cross-fingering, and that's especially obvious with slow airs. I will sometimes cross finger (or even ignore an accidental) when playing dance tunes, but for a slow air, definitely, half-hole that note.
# Posted on March 1st 2005 by MacTireRua
Re: G sharp on whistle
One way of playing a G# is to half-hole the G note. Playing a G note requires covering the three top holes of the whistle so you cover the first two holes and half of the third one.
# Posted on March 2nd 2005 by radriano
Re: G sharp on whistle
Half-hole it on the D whistle if you can. It's the least trouble.
I use my low A whistle, play in D, and the G is already sharp and waiting. WB
# Posted on March 7th 2005 by windybaer
Re: G sharp on whistle
Thanks for all the replies--it helps when I'm learning a new tune. I made a mistake when I wrote how I played the note. I actually cover the first AND second holes and only half cover the thrid and fourth. Yes, this allows for a more dramatic transition from the preceeding note. So I'll stick with it.
# Posted on March 8th 2005 by Madharp
Re: G sharp on whistle
Gees, I've been looking for that tune for a while now."The lonesome boatman" have ya got some way to send it to me over the internet???
Much appreaciated. Thanks bud.
I'm only a new member and it's a deadly site.
# Posted on March 10th 2005 by danny boy
Re: G sharp on whistle
I'm with danny boy - I'd like to get the tune. I got one from another site, but it's a full abc transcription of the way Finbar Furey plays it, with all of his ornamentation, and it's almost impossible to follow. I know this site is not supposed to be for slow airs, but I can't seem to get it from anywhere else.
# Posted on March 27th 2005 by Sokol