Thousands are Sailing

[tragicanimation]

Anyone know what key whistle is used on this tune? Ive been trying to figure it out and im just not having much luck...

[philipchevron]

Anyone know what key whistle is used on this tune? Ive been trying to figure it out and im just not having much luck...

That partly depends on what key you're playing it in. Here are your options:

Shane (album version/live version) A
Phil (live version pre-Chemo) C
Phil (live version post-Chemo) A

I think Spider has been using what he considers an unhappy choice - an A whistle - for the past year, but I have a feeling there is no ideal whistle key for this tune. Trial and error may be your best ally.

[tragicanimation]

Yeah I did notice that the recorded version is in A but for the life of me I cant find anyone who makes a high A whistle so I thought that maybe Spider was using something different. Trial and error it is!!

Thanks Phil

[Pyro]

Yeah I did notice that the recorded version is in A but for the life of me I cant find anyone who makes a high A whistle so I thought that maybe Spider was using something different. Trial and error it is!!

Thanks Phil

High A is not made by any ordinary maker, as far as I know - it would have to be even smaller than G, which is so small, it´s unplayable for some people (for example me ).

Good thing is, whistles are such instruments, they can play in two ways. Either, by playing usually, or by "transposition" - by playing everything "three holes higher". All whistles can play in two keys - C can play in F, D in G, E in A. I play A tunes on E whistle. It´s partly matter of luck. There are tunes, which would force you to go deep into third octave, which is mostly either ear-killing, or unplayable. Especially on E whistle. But that´s mostly with dance tunes - usual "pub" songs with singing can be played this way.

To give an example: start of Star of the county down on C whistle would go like that (numbers indicate numbers of closed holes; ^means 2nd octave): ^3-^4-^5-^5-^5-^6-^5-^3-^3-^2-^3-^2-^1-^2-^3-^5-^5-^6
On F whistle, it´s playable too, as this: ^6-0-1-1-1-2-1-^6-^6-^5-^6-^5-^4-^5-^6-1-1-2

Hopefully it´s understandable. If not, tell me, I can show you on youtube.
Or, if you have enough money for not-so-useful whistle (in my opinion), you can call Colin Goldie who makes Overtons - he´s rumored to be able to craft almost any whistle