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penny whistle

This may be sort of a "duh" question, but I have to ask. My church has been playing "Be Thou my Vision" for quite a while, and I thought a whistle would sound so good there. I went to my local music store and bought a $12.95 metal whistle with a plastic mouthpiece. I can play the song, but it sounds sort of like a new violin player trying to learn how to use a bow. Esp the upper register
My question---is that because I need more practice to cover the holes better (I do play indian flute). Or is it likely that it is because it is not the quality of whistle needed to play serious music.

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Permalink Reply by martin haggitt on January 24, 2011 at 20:04

hi bill, no its not a duh question and if you ve continued with your practise with that whistle you would have found the same that i did. they seem to mellow alot over time and loose there brightness( in a good way)

the pipe gets tarnished and i think that the constant blowing over the blade dulls it down a bit too. my old feadog that ive had for 3 years plays much nicer than the new one i brought 4 months ago.

there is of coarse a lot to be said for lots and lots of practise. improves you pitching and intonation.

and yeah some whistles are just terrible.

if you get a chance to get a cheapie thats been tweeked by gerry freeman , grab it. often on ebay

for a simple instrument it can get very complex. i love it.

best regards ,cheers martin

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