Klarinet Archive - Posting 000238.txt from 2004/10

From: ormondtoby@-----.net (Ormondtoby Montoya)
Subj: Re: [kl] Flutophones
Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 23:55:16 -0400

Jon Delorey wrote:

> It [pennywhistle] is an instrument that is
> played professionally (even the least
> expensive ones) in Irish music. Learning
> ornamention, etc., can make it a long term
> challenge (for me anyway).

I once heard a penny whistle played at a festival. It was concert
quality from the first note to the last note. In addition to her
dexterity, her tone was beautifully resonant and 'full', not raw or
ragged or thin. I was dismayed that what appeared to be a $5 penny
whistle could produce such music.

Afterward I asked the lady (a professor) something on the order of:
"Obviously you weren't playing the $5 tin whistle that tourist shops
sell. May I take a closer look at yours?"

"No," she replied. "I wasn't playing a $5 whistle. I never pay more
than $2 [which is the equivalent of $1.75 in American currency, I
believe] for mine.

...and sure enough, when I held it my hand, it was the same piece of
sheet metal tubing (hers was tapered) with a plastic fipple and
punched/deburred holes that you see in a tub on the counter at every
tourist shop and novelty store.

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