Upper notes in 2nd octave--Ouch!!

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Baen
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Upper notes in 2nd octave--Ouch!!

Post by Baen »

I was learning the tune Si Beag Si Mor, on Cathall McConnell's CD tutor, which has lots of upper notes in the second octave. Although they were shrill, didn't seem damaging at the tme. I knew that third octave notes are supposed to be cause for concern in terms of hearing damage, but 2nd octave seemed pretty safe. (I have a Clarke D whistle)

A little while after practicising, my ears were starting to hurt, and now a day later they still do. Hopefully it'll go away...But how do I learn these tunes with high notes in them without causing long-term damage? Has anyone else experienced this problem? Maybe I should go to a Low D whistle! That would probably solve this problem...




thanks for any suggestions!

Baen
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blackhawk
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Post by blackhawk »

For the upper octave B I have to wear earplugs. For the upper octave A I have to have an earplug in the right ear because I spent too much time playing upper Bs without earplugs.
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Ridseard
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Post by Ridseard »

Another suggestion. Since you're looking for another whistle anyway, why not get one which is fairly quiet throughout the second octave. The Burke Brass Pro Narrow Bore D is like that and probably some of the Hoovers also.
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Easily_Deluded_Fool
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Post by Easily_Deluded_Fool »

Try playing in a different room.

If I play in my kitchen, which is all hard surfaces,
I get lots of bounce back.
Low whistles really sound great in there because
the whole room seems to vibrate.

If I play in the room with carpets, soft seating etc,
then the sound is different, with no reverb' at all.

HTH
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lesl
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Post by lesl »

I think you should make a whistle mute, either with a ball of blutack or
with the trash bag ties. I found about them on the board somewhere. http://chiffboard.mati.ca/search.php?mode=results

Also, I remember on this thread
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php ... 2nd+octave
someone mentioned Cathal McConnell's way of softening those high
notes. That thread helped me the most on not screetching and no ears
hurting.

When I'm just trying out a tune on whistle or practicing it, I mostly drop
the high notes an octave down until I've got the hang of the fingerings.
Then when you know how to play it and go back up, it sounds better.
Hope that helps, Lesl.
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