The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #152328 Message #3562241
Posted By: GUEST,leeneia
28-Sep-13 - 12:17 PM
Thread Name: D whistle high notes survey
Subject: D whistle high notes survey
I'm taking a class on Irish music (they've all been fiddle tunes so far) down at the heritage center. The tunes have all been in D or G, and they go up to B above the staff.
I've got recorders, I've got steel whistles, I've got a flageolette by Ralph Sweet ($60) and I've got a Kelhorn Kildare ($48.90 plus shipping), and none of them will produce the high notes. The Kelhorn can go up to G, but not reliably.
I've tried putting tape on them, as recommended by Wikihow. That adds a couple of notes. I've tried holding my mouth different ways and blowing different ways. I've tried opening the top hole a little. That helps, but the movement takes so much control that it can't be done at session speed. So I have two questions:
1. Does anybody have an suggestions for getting high notes out of folk whistles (or flutes) at speed?
2. If you can do it, what instument are you playing?