The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #74127 Message #1290681
Posted By: GUEST,GUEST
06-Oct-04 - 06:58 PM
Thread Name: Moisture in Tin Whistles
Subject: MOISTURE IN TIN WHISTLES
I seem to have persistent problems with moisture accumulating in tin whistles a short time after playing. Although I use a brush to remove moisture frequently, it seems to build up again quickly and tends to make the sound less pure and a bit weak. Perhaps I just produce too much saliva? I find not drinking (even soft drinks) helps a bit.
Also, and possibly related to this, I find it very hard to get a good loud but pure tone in tin whistles which can be heard above the sound of voices and guitars, etc (admittedly these are usually amplified), yet another (admittedly much better) player who uses the same type of whistle (Generation in key of C or D) seems to do much better in this respect. I find if I blow too hard I just get the note in the next octave up. Perhaps I just don't have enough lung power!
I have also noticed that some tunes (which can be instrumentals or songs) which are reasonably easy to play (on harmonica or tin whistle) can sound quite difficult, therefore if you play them reasonably, it can make you sound quite proficient (I suppose this is a type of cheating really!) and conversely some which sound reasonably easy are difficult to play really well (perhaps it depends on the instrument). An example of the latter to my mind is "The Irish Washerwoman" (sorry I can't think of any good examples of the former at present). I would be interested in other Mudcatters suggestions for tunes in both of these catergories, BASED ON ACTUAL EXPERIENCE OF PLAYING THEM.
P.S. I am just a pretty amateurish player in an informal music session held once a month in a local bar.