One of the biggest challenges of the whistle is playing at the break-neck speeds required for much of the traditional repertoire, without sounding sloppy. Here's what I'd recommend:
SLOW DOWN
Paradoxically, it’s much quicker to learn to play fast by starting slow and gradually speeding up, than it is to start at full speed.
Not necessarily very slow, but certainly at a moderate tempo, one at which you can concentrate on what you're doing and fit everything in comfortably.
Remember:
- Each note must be sounded. If you only "touch" every fourth or fifth note to speed up a fast piece, so that it can't really be distinguished as clearly as the others, then it significantly detracts from the quality of the music.
- The pulse and rhythm must be consistent and precise. Most traditional whistle music is dance music, and as such correct rhythm is vital.
- Execute ornaments (strikes, cuts, rolls etc) cleanly and deliberately. If you need to slow down the whole piece to fit ornaments correctly into the rhythm then so be it. Never sacrifice a secure sense of pulse.
- Tricky bits will need extra practice so work on these small sections separately until you can play them as fast as the rest of the piece.
When you’ve got it all comfortabley together, speed it up a notch, a small notch. Get it right at the new speed then speed it up a bit more.
It also helps to record yourself and listen to the playback. At half speed is ideal but few of us have that sort of technology at home. However, many of us do have a voice recorder on our mobile phones that we never knew was there! You can scrutinise your work much more easily when you don’t have to concentrate on playing it at the same time. It will also give you the chance to observe the overall feel of the piece, again quite difficult when you are caught up in playing individual notes and passages correctly.
AND DON'T FORGET
Always make sure you’re feeling the “groove” of the piece e.g. a swinging hornpipe, a precise, driving reel, an air that tells a story. Pay attention to what makes that particular tune unique.
FINALLY
Relax and enjoy!
Remember learning is all about the journey and it's a journey all about you.
