Will you pay me a penny not to play?

[sherron0]

Today while we were out erranding, we stepped into a music store, just to see.  They had penny whistles and a book on how to learn to play.

Remember that every Saturday, most know, Thomas practices/jams with this group of other string players (violins, violas, a mandola, occasionally a guitar or mandolin player).  Last time, the mandola player asked if he could try playing his recorder on a couple of songs, since he'd been trying to learn it recently.  It sounded really good.  So, once again, the folks started bugging me about learning an instrument so i could play with them, since I'm there all the time anyway.  Cello, guitar, there have been several suggestions.  After they heard the recorder, and how it fits in with them, they had the brilliant idea that I should learn a pipe or whistle.  I'm musically knowledgeable, and know a lot of basic music "theory," and they know it.  And of course, they think Thomas couldn't possibly as good as he is if his mother wasn't also musical.  Yeah, right.  I did sing when I was younger, and received compliments, and requests to sing more, so I wasn't bad.  But then, at about 23, I had an accident, and was in a coma with a tube down my throat for 6 or 7 weeks.  It changed my voice, even my speaking voice, and made it hurt to try to sing notes that used to be comfortably in my rage, and I simply cannot shout without my throat completely constricting.  So, other than to babies, and in the shower, no more singing aloud. 

But anyway, today I bought a tin penny whistle, and no, they cost much more than a penny these days.  It's not overly difficult, but there are a few tricks to it to get a consistently pleasant tone.  And my fingers don't move fast enough.  Maybe practice will help.  or not.

Comments

[wiliqueen.livejournal.com]

Once I got used to it, I found the tinwhistle easier than the recorder. Also handy: the babmoo flutes they sell at Faire have six holes, and finger the same. (Mind you, I played flute in middle and high school and can still pull off enough embouchure to get a decent sound. Also, they tend to take a LOT of breath countrol.)

[sherron0.livejournal.com]

Oh, the tin whistle is easy. Mind you, she only played the flute for years... I think if we'd been on the phone, I'd have taken the receiver and banged it on the table at that point! :)

[wiliqueen.livejournal.com]

*blush* In my defense, I misunderstood your post the first time and thought you had already been playing the recorder...

Also, while I still have my flute, I haven't actually touched it in, oh, about twice as long as I played it in school...