Wooden Whistle

Subject: Wooden Whistle
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 01:36 PM

Does anyone play Wooden Whistles. Do they have any advantages or disadvantages over Tin Whistles? Are they more or less temperamental?
Roger

Subject: RE: Help: Wooden Whistle
From: jeffp
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 01:38 PM

I have a maple Sweetheart whistle. I find it a little harsh in the upper register (above high G), but I love the woody tone for slow airs. It also seems to have a slower response, which limits its utility for quick reels and jigs. Hope this helps.

jeffp

Subject: RE: Help: Wooden Whistle
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 01:59 PM

Thanks. I have just been asked about wooden whistles and need some help
Roegr

Subject: RE: Help: Wooden Whistle
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 04:43 PM

The one that I played this summer had a wonderful tone. It too was a "Sweetheart", I would have bought it but for the Key, it was in C. The other major problem was the price, this was lots of pennies, ie. 100$can. I don't play well enough to, spend that sort of price for one, or give technical playabilty critiques but my ears said it was worth the money. JohnB

Subject: RE: Help: Wooden Whistle
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 05:00 PM

We had two handmade wooden whistles given to us for wedding presents, regretably stolen from our car some years ago. Two different woods, they had different tones and actions. Oddly enough the denser wood was a lighter tone, and the pale, lightweight wood was deeper. They needed considerable playing in, but were very sweet toned and warm to play. They had a sound similar to a wooden flute, which is much rounder and warmer than the metal ones.

LTS

Subject: RE: Help: Wooden Whistle
From: pastorpest
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 06:15 PM

The maker of the whistle is more important than the material. Two makers who make wonderful wooden whistles are these: Pat O'Riordan and Glenn Shultz (Thin Weasel Woodwinds). By going to the Chiff & Fipple web site and their page on high end whistles you will learn more of each. The O'Riordan's have a pure warm sound. Shultz makes whistles with a breathier sound: lovely in a different way. Other whistles are described and reviewed on the Chiff & Fipple.

Wooden whistles require more careful care. Avoid dry air and sudden temperature changes to prevent cracking. Periodic oiling with amond oil or light mineral oil is required. Swabbing dry after use is also required.

The Chiff & Fipple will give you links to web pages and email addresses for makers.

Subject: RE: Help: Wooden Whistle
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 09:39 PM

I once had a wooden whistle... But it wooden whistle...

{~`

Subject: RE: Help: Wooden Whistle
From: Frank Maher
Date: 22 Sep 00 - 07:48 AM

I once had a wooden whistle... But it wooden whistle... So I got a Tin Whistle...Now It Tin Whistle...

Subject: RE: Help: Wooden Whistle
From:
Date: 22 Sep 00 - 08:21 AM

Try Chris Abell's African blackwood whistles. They're very good. Chris is a flute maker from Asheville, N.C.

Subject: RE: Help: Wooden Whistle
From: Bert
Date: 22 Sep 00 - 11:55 AM

Has anyone had any luck using those fancy carved 'tourist' whistles from the balkans?

I have one and it's useless. (shuddup Spaw)

Bert.

Subject: RE: Help: Wooden Whistle
From: Dave Swan
Date: 22 Sep 00 - 12:09 PM

Our experience with our Sweetheart has been much the same as as jeffp's. Other whistle players who use it seem to treat it as a pleasant novelty, then reach for the tin.

Subject: RE: Help: Wooden Whistle
From: Melani
Date: 22 Sep 00 - 12:58 PM

I have a rosewood Sweetheart that I'm very fond of, with a beautiful tone, but I find it hard to play in the high registers, so I tend to use in for tunes that don't go above high A. My teacher told me wooden whistles are just like that. Someday I hope to play well enough to get it to do anything I want.

Subject: RE: Help: Wooden Whistle
From: Barbara
Date: 22 Sep 00 - 03:24 PM

I have found various cheapie Chinese/Indian wooden or bamboo whistles with quite nice tone, but the scales vary considerably from standard. If you find one that is in tune, it needs a better finish inside and out, and the end wrapped to last, also some sealer on the bit to keep it from getting soggy.

My grandmother said it this way:
"I bought a wooden whistle,
but it wooden whistle,
and I bought a steel whistle,
but it steel wooden whistle,
So I bought a tin whistle,
and now I tin whistle."
Blessings,
Barbara