Other instruments that can be played by tin whistlers?

AR · Post by AR » Sun Aug 20, 2006 6:23 am

I recently found out that the fife, and the keyless flute, have the same fingerings as a tin whistle. This got me thinking; what other instruments can be played using whistle knowledge? I'm not looking for exact equivalents, but instruments that basic tunes could be played on within say, a week. I want to make a definitive list of these instruments. I have written down the few I can think of, please post more, and if you have experiences and information about any, that too. Thanks

If you can play the tin whistle, you could try these:

Fife

Low whistle

Keyless flute (aka ‘folk’ or ‘irish’ flute)

Whistle player's hornpipe http://www.newcelticinstruments.com/whi ... story.html

Bamboo sax http://www.eriktheflutemaker.com/Bamboo_Saxes.htm

Quena

I shall hopefully update the list this time next week. Do tell me if I am wrong about any of the above!

C age ing · Post by **C age ing** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:04 am

The six holes of the whistle and flute are the basis of the Böhm system, so you could pick up a whole host of Böhm woodwinds. Maybe you are the next Coltrane or Bird and of course, if you tape the first and thumb holes of a German fingered re_ord_r, you can play that as well.

Oreo · Post by **Oreo** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 4:19 pm

Another like the bamboo saxophone is the Xaphoon.
A search of the web will easily get you information.

At the risk of boos:
About re cord ers. The Renaissance models have a bold sound that whistle players may prefer over Baroque models.

Oreo

greenspiderweb · Post by **greenspiderweb** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 4:32 pm

Hey AR, what's the significance of your avatar?

AR · Post by AR » Sun Aug 20, 2006 4:37 pm

greenspiderweb wrote:Hey AR, what's the significance of your avatar?

Sorry, none at all, I just like having a moving picture so I can see my own posts better, and that is the only one small enough I could find! On reflection, I may change it, as I can imagine how it could be interpreted.

edit: its been changed. The old one was a x on fire.

greenspiderweb · Post by **greenspiderweb** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 5:01 pm

AR wrote:
greenspiderweb wrote:Hey AR, what's the significance of your avatar?
Sorry, none at all, I just like having a moving picture so I can see my own posts better, and that is the only one small enough I could find! On reflection, I may change it, as I can imagine how it could be interpreted.

edit: its been changed. The old one was a x on fire.

Glad to hear it, welcome aboard, AR!

You can add Native American Flute to your list. Not the same fingering, and different scale, but anyone can play one!

Doc Jones · Post by **Doc Jones** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 5:42 pm

Uilleann pipes and Northumbiran smallpipes are very similar.

Doc

Unseen122 · Post by **Unseen122** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 7:14 pm

Gaita Galega (Galician Bagpipes) have the same fingerings with the addition of a C# pinkie hole and a left hand thumb hole for playing a couple notes in the second octave.

swb · Post by **swb** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 10:45 pm

speaking of which (gaita, that is)...

If you are as lucky as me and run across a CD by Susana Seivane for $6 in the sale bin at your local book[sic]store, grab it and take it home for a listen.

Amazing stuff - Celtic-influenced music of northwestern Spain with galican bagpipes, tin whistle (!), traverse flute, diatonic accordion, djembe, bodhran, etc. etc. etc......

cheers: swb

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 10:56 pm

greenspiderweb wrote:Hey AR, what's the significance of your avatar?

As I recall, Martin Milner used to use that same image.

I think that Appalachian dulcimer ought to be included in the list. It has the same notes, and there's not much to fretting it. The whistler just needs to learn the strumming.

jen f · Post by **jen f** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 4:17 am

Welcome, AR! So do you happen to live in AR (Arkansas)?

John S · Post by **John S** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:08 am

Don't forget the Bombard.

John S

srt19170 · Post by **srt19170** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:19 am

Don't all of the reed-based instruments actually have different fingers in the second octave? Likewise, it might be a little misleading to suggest that one could move easily from the whistle to the pipes

-- Scott

doogieman · Post by **doogieman** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:25 am

Saxophone - the basic 6 holes are almost identical. The basics are pretty simple and then you add all those other keys that allow you to play ALL the notes.......

fearfaoin · Post by **fearfaoin** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:39 am

srt19170 wrote:Don't all of the reed-based instruments actually have different fingers in the second octave?

No, Clarinet is different, but sax and oboe are the same in both octaves.