As many know, my interest in music and playing instruments tends to vary depending on time of year and my always busy mind. One moment it is all about the shakuhachi, the next it is back to classical music and all that it offers. Still, again, it will drift to world music, especially Celtic music from Scotland, Ireland and Wales. This is where my heart and head seem to be right now, and I don't know for how long as I simply drift with the wind and go wherever my heart and musical soul take me. Although Celtic music is always with me due to being part of my heritage and blood, right now I'm studying Welsh and Scottish Gaelic, so it seems apropos.
In addition to the love of the music itself, my desire to admire the instruments themselves is a big part. Therefore, I have collected a few whistles and flutes that are used in this most lush and beautiful genre of music. Here is a shot of the whistles I currently own, which include( top to bottom) models from Walton, Clark, Tony Dixon, Feadóg and Oak:
They are in either C or D and play well. The Tony Dixon and Feadóg are my favourites for sure with the best play-ability and the Oak a close second.
The newest, the Tony Dixon whistle in D, is amazing and I'd love to get a Low D flute from his lineup as well. So many Celtic pieces use the whistle or flute (Irish or other) and my sheet music/book lineup has grown a wee bit.
As for the flutes themselves, I have two Celtic flutes, built by Michael Howard of Kolbe Flutes;
The primary flute is a beautiful flute made of bamboo and in a key of C.
Second is the more simple but delightful bamboo flute in D that takes a bit more air but sounds great.
I have a LOT of work to do on these flutes and hope to advance a bit more in 2017 with some songs and abilities to play in a Session in Portland soon. There are a few Irish/Scottish pubs in Portland that have music sessions for Celtic music, with performers from all over the region. Add in a few pints and it is like those I've visited in the UK, where families and musicians come together to celebrate their roots and heritage as well as imbibe a bit.Should be fun!
Till then, more practice and study of the literature and music of my ancestors and culture.
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