SteveW
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more tin whistle questions 05-Nov-2017 10:24:00
| CorrsClub Time: 26-Apr-2024 01:35:47 |
I didn't realize that she's playing a C whistle, but that makes sense, as a C whistle can play in keys of C or F, and this song is in F.
Why doesn't she just use an F whistle? If I understand correctly, a tin whistle can play a flatted 7th, so Andrea could have played the entire end melody (including the E-flat) on an F whistle. Is it because an F whistle would either have to be substantially larger (and harder to play unless you have large hands) or substantially smaller (and therefore more shrill)?
Looking around on the web, I found a FAQ on whistle keys on this page:
http://www.thewhistleshop.com/faq/faq.htm
This page says:
"if we used the same method to name whistles that we do to name orchestra instruments [such as B-flat clarinet], every whistle would be a "C" instrument - because when you play a C, it comes out as a C!" [In other words, tin whistles are not transposing instruments.]
Wait, what? I don't understand this at all. I thought the whole point was that on different whistles, the same fingerings produce different pitches. So if you have a D whistle, then all fingers down produces a D, whereas on a C whistle, all fingers down produces a C. Is that correct?
I guess what this means is that if you are reading sheet music for a B-flat whistle, the pitch B-flat is indeed notated as B-flat (whereas on clarinet, the pitch B-flat is notated as C). Yes? But this would mean that the fingerings change for different whistles, so that the fingering to play a D on a D whistle is not the same fingering used to play a D on a C whistle. Is that how it works? If so, that must be extremely confusing -- then learning a different whistle would be like learning an entirely new instrument. I think in that case I'd just dispense with written music altogether and just play by ear!
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