Tin whistle keys etc

Subject: RE: Tin whistle keys etc
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 11:37 AM

Subject: RE: Tin whistle keys etc
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 01:23 PM

Music written for penny whistle is the same for any pennywhistle.

Don't re-write anything written for a D - or any other whistle. To change keys, you use the same music and change whistles.

If you use a different whistle, it will sound in a different key, but the notation tells you which fingers to use - and doesn't care which whistle you use.

For melody lines written in random keys, you would usually transpose to D, (two sharps) as if you were playing it on a D whistle, since the tonic scale on any whistle is in the "two sharps" mode. Once written for whistle the same score may be used with any whistle if you just "pretend" you're playing the D one.

More advanced players may actually transpose, but for a beginner you can just assume that music for whistle is music for any whistle.

John

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Tin whistle keys etc
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 10:37 PM

This is obviously an address harvester.

Anybody who can play the whistle knows this has to be a put on....

You can't play notes below the bottom note while you have both hands fingering the holes ... there are techniques for 'cupping' a fipple flute - but you can't use them on a standard whistle!

Subject: Chord Req: Tin whistle keys etc
From: GUEST,Ana B. Hernandez
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 10:04 PM

Hi. I own a D key tin whistle, but sometimes there are notes I can't play. the central key C apparently can't be played. I couldn't find it anywhere. If anyone knows how to, and any notes belos it, could you be so kind to send it to my e-mail, [e-mail]?

Thanks
Ana B. Hernandez

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Tin whistle keys etc
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 15 May 04 - 02:02 AM

Many thanks to all of you for the response. I just wished I had listened to my old music teacher many years ago.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Tin whistle keys etc
From: Little Robyn
Date: 14 May 04 - 09:00 PM

An easy (cheating) way is to find a programme for your computer - I'm happy using an old Mozart, then you put your tune on there and tell it to transpose!
Done!
Robyn

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Tin whistle keys etc
From: Snuffy
Date: 14 May 04 - 09:07 AM

This site has all the tunes of the Digital Tradition Database available in whistle notation: it shows the fingering that will produce that tune on a whistle ao ANY key.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Tin whistle keys etc
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 May 04 - 05:25 AM

... and to say it again, the whistle is the 'transposer's friend' - learn the tune on any whistle in that key (or the relative keys easily played on that key), and just change to another keyed instrument.

Robin

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Tin whistle keys etc
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 14 May 04 - 04:01 AM

A fluter-recorderer friend of mine years back could transpose "on the fly" without much trouble. I expect he developed this from switching between C & F recorders.

You could invest in a music notation software like NoteWorthy Composer. I'm sure my fellow 'catters can point you to others, maybe cheaper.

Steve

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Tin whistle keys etc
From: GUEST,Banjoke
Date: 14 May 04 - 02:45 AM

Learn the piece in any key!!!
Then just change the whistle.
eg Turtle Dove is in C's relative minor, so learn the correct fingering and then if you want to play it in D or anything elst just keep the fingering constant and use the whistle in the correct key.
It is that easy, which is why the whistle is often refered to as the transposers instrument.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Tin whistle keys etc
From: GUEST
Date: 14 May 04 - 12:48 AM

"But how do you go about re-writing them for a C or F?"

Its a fair question and I know the answer but I am keeping it a secret just in case I can get paid!

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Tin whistle keys etc
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 13 May 04 - 10:07 PM

If you play traditional dance music, the likelihood is that you will have started on a D whistle. In this case the simplest course is to transpose the target tune into whichever key playable on a D whistle (D, G, Emin etc) gives the best fit. Then play the tune on whichever pitch of whistle gets you back to the original key, but using the fingering you would uee for a D whistle.

For instance, you want to play a tune/song that's in F. It has a range of C > AA. Transpose it to G, and then learn it in G on a D whistle. You are playing it a tone sharper than original, but the written key and the actual fingering will both be familiar. Replace the D whistle with a C whistle, but continue with the fingering used for the D whistle, and you will now be playing in pitch.

A simpler alternative, particularly if you have a good ear, is to learn and play all tunes in tonic sol-fa. This way the fingering pattern will be constant, and again the key you play in will be determined by the pitchy of the whistle.

Both these methods avoid the complexity of remembering that (for instance) covering the top two holes gives A on a D whistle, D on a G whistle, B flat on a E flat whistle, etc, etc - and similar confusions for every other note you finger.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Tin whistle keys etc
From: TS
Date: 13 May 04 - 10:01 PM

I tend to carry 3 or 4 different whistles with me. My guitarist had me memorize a chart of keys, etc, or some such nonsense. (not a guitarist here..sorry)...when he is using a different key I can often use the chart to determine what key of a whistle I can use. Not sure if this would help but if it does I can certainly obtain a copy of the chart....SLainte!

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Tin whistle keys etc
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 13 May 04 - 09:17 PM

Actually, if you do just that you will get some accidentals wrong.

To transpose correctly from one key to another, all notes must move the same number of semitones.

To transpose from C Major to D Major, for example, you step up 2 semitones. All other examples are just an expansion on this method.

Write out both scales, the original one on top, and the new one underneath, note for note. Take each note of the tune and go from top to bottom. You write the new staff notation and write the transposed tune thereon.

If you are transposing Minor Keys (or other modes), you do the staff notation, and as you add a note, you add the accidental if it is needed.

Robin

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Tin whistle keys etc
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 13 May 04 - 06:35 PM

Rewriting to C, for example, is moving everything down one step, and removing the two #s at the start.

To F, move up through E to the next space F.

Subject: Chord Req: Tin whistle keys etc
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 13 May 04 - 06:31 PM

Did not seem to be a 'How to' title here so I have had to put this under a chords request.

I am learning to play whistles, I often come across tunes which have been written as a melody line. Some of these I have already as notation for a D whistle. But how do you go about re-writing them for a C or F? Also how do you re -write tunes which have been written purely as the melody line for the voice?

Is there a book in print that would help with this?