Chiff and Fipple Forums

... a C Blackbird and a C Mellow Dog are the same whistle except the Blackbird has a nickel-plated tonebody and the Mellow Dog has a brass one). Was that really what you meant or should there be a D somewhere? Yes, that's really what I meant. A C Blackbird and a C Mellow Dog are the same whistle ex...

Looks like I've got some work cut out for me.

Are we talking about the whistle I made in response to your asking about the Freeman tweaked Generation Spider Stacy played on Treme? If so, I'd like to make some experiments before we talk about it. If I can't reproduce it I don't want to raise false expectations, but if it turns out I can make the...

A customer has asked me to make a tenor G#/Ab, C# and F#. Should I make just one of each, or do you think there might be more people who want them? (And yes, I'll be making more Bnat tweaked Generations soon.)

Thanks!

Best wishes,
Jerry

The Blackbird does start as a Feadog. Both the mouthpiece and tonebody. I don't call it a tweaked Feadog, however, because the voicing and playing characteristics are completely different from a stock Feadog. I think it would cause more confusion than clarity if I called them "tweaked Feadogs,&...

I've read most of the comments here but not all. Peter's description that the Blackbird requires less air than the Mellow Dog is important. I don't find beginners especially have trouble with Blackbirds, but they have to learn how to handle the gentle air needed to keep the lowest notes from breakin...

Hey, Pat.

I've no idea what you're referring to. Did I lose a whistle of yours?

Best wishes,
Jerry

I've been restrained by health issues for more than twenty years. That's slowed down all the work I've had to do, keeping me pinned to survival tasks and not able to put enough into projects like the one we're discussing. On the wall over my desk are the words: "But they that wait upon the Lord...

Thanks for asking, Michael. It's a good time for an updated report.

I assume you meant to type, "I am returning to whistling ... ." It took a minute to figure out what "I am returning to wrestling ... ." was intended to mean.

Best wishes,
Jerry

Ahem. The project is coming along, more slowly than I expected, but it's developing well. The first 3D printed whistleheads will be based on the high-resolution scan I obtained with the help of the crowdfunding campaign you asked about, of a good pre-1980's D Generation. Since I've stopped offering ...

I may have told you, lately I've been feeling much better and I'm getting a lot more done. Awhile ago, Kevin Crawford was very kind to record soundclips of my whistles. Finally, I've been able to work with them and start putting them on YouTube. Heartfelt best wishes, Jerry Low G tweaked Generation ...

I use black fingernail polish.

If I may, my key of D Blackbird takes a very light breath. People comment they can play longer passages without stopping for air. It's well-suited for someone who needs to conserve breath. The price is $39.90. If you're in the United States, shipping is $7.50.

Best wishes,
Jerry

It bears mention, different ears hear differently.

Your hearing may be especially sensitive to the high notes even if they're perfectly OK. You might try recording yourself, then listening at a distance from the speakers to see if it still sounds as shrill from further away.