The Drifting Thread

LarryS
LarryS
@larrys
4 years ago
45 posts
Getting back on the horse as it were, enjoying whistling again.
Wayne
Wayne
@wayne
4 years ago
7 posts
Hope everyone is well, haven’t been doing any whistling all over the summer as I’ve been busy with cycling ( my number 1 hobby) , at least when we go back into lock down on Thursday we can still get out on our bikes and get plenty exercise in , I do 20 - 25 miles everyday as part of my training routine and I sympathise with you Keith as living in this part of the Lake District it’s hard to find any flat roads , as a 47 year old cyclist im classed as the older generation ( only in the cycling world) ha , but I still give the young men a run for their money. Time to go get the whistle out , stay safe everyone.
Keith
Keith
@keith
4 years ago
145 posts

We're just about to go into full lock down again over here in the UK, (from what I've just been told); how long can we last like this?! shrugger

The Kickbike really is just a big (foot) scooter, bigger wheels make it easier on rough ground, I used to ride my bikes (pedal cycles) off road quite a lot, a few years back........well, 20 odd years ago I guess it was now, doesn't seem that long ago.......I must be getting old.... winker

Flat? - nowhere around here is flat, it's either up or down, & they're big ups & downs!

I had to walk up the hills when I was riding my bikes around here, so pushing a scooter up them is a bit easier, & I can get up to a fair speed on the less bumpy bits. thumbsup

Went for a quick walk last Friday, (about 6 miles), took just over the hour, & now I'm still recovering from it 2 days later.... babycrawl

Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
4 years ago
147 posts

Keith- The garden end-of-season cleanup is taking my attention this month. Still doing a trampoline session every couple of days though. I sure miss not being able to go to contra dances!

That Kickbike- it really is a scooter, isn't it? I mean not electric?  Looks really cool! Did you get the white one? Is is somewhat flat where you live?  Coooool!




--
Site Owner

Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
-Strumelia proverb c.1990
Keith
Keith
@keith
4 years ago
145 posts

I've been rather quiet lately, but I bought a bigger & better scooter with bigger wheels to handle the offroad side of my adventuring, (a Kickbike Cross Fix), but haven't really used it yet.

My whistling was on temporary hold, as I was trying to get my embouchure back on my flutes & piccolos; still somewhat hit & miss, unfortunately, so back to my low F, low G, & A whistles.

Still playing my harmonicas, (about as much as I was before).

Hope the trampolining is doing OK; I know it's getting hard to motivate oneself these days, with all the Covid restrictions, but hopefully, not for much longer.

Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
4 years ago
147 posts

Good for you Keith!  It's hard to get exercise during these trying times. I got a mini indoor trampoline, and I've been starting out real slow on it ..but it gets my aerobic activity up!




--
Site Owner

Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
-Strumelia proverb c.1990
Keith
Keith
@keith
4 years ago
145 posts

It has been really quiet around where I live - until a couple of weeks ago - kids are back out playing, & noisy car stereos again, unfortunately! earplug

I've gained a new hobby whilst we were in lock down - I bought myself a 16" wheel kick scooter - it's really hard work at the moment on gravel fire road, but once I get used to it, I'm hoping to venture forth & put some miles in on it. grin

Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
4 years ago
147 posts

My neighbor sits on his deck and quietly plays O'Carolan tunes on his mandolin sometimes. It's kind of peaceful to listen to.  I'm sure glad he doesn't blast rock from some boombox!




--
Site Owner

Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
-Strumelia proverb c.1990
Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
4 years ago
147 posts

I've finished week 6 of the virus lockdown. Only leaving the house to either go for a quick fitness walk in a lonely location, and once a week to pick up a few fresh food items like milk/eggs/bread/produce (using no-contact store pickup, yay!)

I thought when this started that I'd have lots of time to play music. But as it's turning out, I'm keeping plenty busy with work (we work at home on computer), cooking, gardening, and paperwork.  In the evenings I just want to veg out and watch a movie to get away from the bad news.  shrugger




--
Site Owner

Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
-Strumelia proverb c.1990
Keith
Keith
@keith
4 years ago
145 posts

Unfortunately, my playing is somewhat curtailed, as we have thin walls, & I don't want to annoy the neighbours - we will all be getting a bit stressful, 3 weeks in on our lock down. duck

Stay in - stay safe.

Wayne
Wayne
@wayne
4 years ago
7 posts
Well we are some way into lockdown now and I hope everyone is safe and well and busy learning new tunes with all this time on there hands, hopefully this horrible virus will go away soon or at least let us all get back to some sort of normality, stay safe everyone and keep whistling.
Keith
Keith
@keith
5 years ago
145 posts

Seasons Greetings.......& may Santa leave you a new little friend.... flute

Norman
Norman
@norman
5 years ago
17 posts

I would like try his brass whistle. It looks like a beautiful instrument. We look for Any excuse to take off and go somewhere.

Keith
Keith
@keith
5 years ago
145 posts

That sounds like a plan, Norman, any idea what type you'll be looking to get?

Norman
Norman
@norman
5 years ago
17 posts

I want to make a road trip next Spring to visit Mack Hoover and buy my "next, last" whistle.

Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
5 years ago
147 posts

I have that same 'malady' Keith.  It's hard to break the habit of checking Ebay for instruments I certainly have enough of and no longer need to keep buying. And it really is just a habit... I can't stand the idea that I might miss something wonderful... despite having enough wonderful examples already.
This is true for some various instruments I own or play... not just penny whistles.  It seems I have finally broken my need to seek more whistles though.  I've disabled a few of the 'saved searches' I've set up on ebay over the years- that seems to be the key to breaking the habit, for me anyway.  tmi




--
Site Owner

Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
-Strumelia proverb c.1990
Keith
Keith
@keith
5 years ago
145 posts

Seems to be a dearth of decent whistles on Ebay lately..........did I buy them all! nahnah

Still look...just in case...though I don't need any more. tumbleweed

Keith
Keith
@keith
5 years ago
145 posts

Oh, I think I'm fairly well covered for plastic whistles...... I do have the Susato 'B' & the Dixon ABS low 'G'.... plus my Susato high 'Eb', Dixon ABS high 'D' & low 'D'.... so I think that I might just manage..... whistle


updated by @keith: 10/01/19 01:53:57PM
Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
5 years ago
147 posts

Sounds to me like you need a polymer one though.  devil




--
Site Owner

Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
-Strumelia proverb c.1990
Keith
Keith
@keith
5 years ago
145 posts

I do have 3x 'A' whistles, two of which I really like, & play often, (Dixon Trad brass & a Thunderbird aluminium), the other one, (Dixon tunable aluminium), has a bit of a quirk in that I seem to have to twist it slightly to get the second octave, so I really didn't need another - but I was tempted.

Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
5 years ago
147 posts

Keith:

Hey......I resisted a Susato in 'A'.........my whistle aquisition syndrome seems to be curing itself...Laugh



Keith, that's amazing that you resisted that one!   I'm impressed.


(did you not already have a susato in A, though?)




--
Site Owner

Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
-Strumelia proverb c.1990
Keith
Keith
@keith
5 years ago
145 posts

Hey......I resisted a Susato in 'A'.........my whistle aquisition syndrome seems to be curing itself...Laugh

Keith
Keith
@keith
5 years ago
145 posts

Yep, it's definately a key of 'B', & quite a nice tone to it, after playing a couple of tunes on it. thumbsup


updated by @keith: 09/26/19 07:02:20AM
Keith
Keith
@keith
5 years ago
145 posts

A Susato advertised as a high 'D' on Ebay appears to actually be a 'B', looking at the photos - so at £23 (incl P&P), it's mine - I didn't have a 'B' whistle, but will have soon, methinks. flute

Keith
Keith
@keith
5 years ago
145 posts

Yeah, I mainly play an 'A', low 'G', or low 'F' when practicing/playing, just occasionally bring out the big ones.

LarryS
LarryS
@larrys
5 years ago
45 posts
Keith:

I've gone & done it again, an MK Kelpie low 'F' came up for sale, it will be added to my ever growing collection of better quality whistles.

So now I think I need to thin out the collection, the question is, should I try selling the Gens/Faedog/Waltons, or just find a charity to give them to.

I think I favour giving them to those who may not have the resources to buy them for themselves, or where they could be used by multiple students to learn on. (Will have to see if I can find such.)

Low F eh...
Keith
Keith
@keith
5 years ago
145 posts

I guess it's time to dig out the Xmas tunes again.... evilgrin

Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
5 years ago
147 posts

My thoughts on this: Non-whistle players tend to be squeamish about putting their mouths on used whistles.  But whistle players don't have such qualms.  So if i were you i'd just work up a nice cheap price and bundle them together as one sale on chiff&fipple.  Someone there will like them for throwing in the car of giving to their grandchildren.  If you bundle them you'll only have to ship one package, too... thus keep the price more accessible.




--
Site Owner

Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
-Strumelia proverb c.1990
Keith
Keith
@keith
5 years ago
145 posts

I've gone & done it again, an MK Kelpie low 'F' came up for sale, it will be added to my ever growing collection of better quality whistles.

So now I think I need to thin out the collection, the question is, should I try selling the Gens/Faedog/Waltons, or just find a charity to give them to.

I think I favour giving them to those who may not have the resources to buy them for themselves, or where they could be used by multiple students to learn on. (Will have to see if I can find such.)

Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
7 years ago
147 posts

This thread has no theme and it has no end. Just drop by and express yourself with your random thoughts or various goings-on in your life. The subjects will drift from one thing to another, from one member to another. This is the thread where you never have to stay 'on topic'.

seawaves.jpg




--
Site Owner

Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
-Strumelia proverb c.1990

updated by @strumelia: 08/16/20 01:07:47PM