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Re: Mystery instrument on "Whispering" - Paul Whiteman acous

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 11:32 am
by benjaminh
Interesting, I too had always assumed this was a saw. I stand corrected!

Re: Mystery instrument on "Whispering" - Paul Whiteman acous

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 1:56 pm
by phonojim
The slide whistle was used more commonly than one might expect and by some of the greats as well as in novelty groups. The great Louis Armstrong plays it on the recording of "Buddy's Habit(s)" by the King Oliver band ca. 1923. He also plays it on "Who' Sit" by his Hot Five, recorded in June of 1926.

You can see it being played in this Youtube video of "Buddy's Habit" by the Peruna Jazzmen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbFy5wkl4V0

Jim

Re: Mystery instrument on "Whispering" - Paul Whiteman acous

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 3:15 pm
by Henry
Somewhere I remember seeing a photograph of Armstrong with a slide trumpet, which is essentially a soprano trombone. But the player has to have a trained embouchure to play it, whereas the slide whistle merely requires that the player blow into the instrument. In either case, one needs a good ear to play in tune!

Re: Mystery instrument on "Whispering" - Paul Whiteman acous

Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 11:51 am
by Rastus10
From a January 2012 Cicada Club broadcast, at about 5:10, in what is otherwise a decently period-correct version of Whispering--doesn't quite sound like what's in the original recording, though:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm_qbcgvWVQ

Re: Mystery instrument on "Whispering" - Paul Whiteman acous

Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 1:18 pm
by CarlosV
Henry wrote:Somewhere I remember seeing a photograph of Armstrong with a slide trumpet, which is essentially a soprano trombone. But the player has to have a trained embouchure to play it, whereas the slide whistle merely requires that the player blow into the instrument. In either case, one needs a good ear to play in tune!
It's the Creole Jazz Band photo, see:

Re: Mystery instrument on "Whispering" - Paul Whiteman acous

Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 1:22 pm
by Henry
Yep, that's the one---thanks, Carlos.

I'm not aware that Armstrong ever played the slide trumpet on a recording (or anywhere else, for that matter), however. If anyone knows otherwise, I'd like to hear about it.

Re: Mystery instrument on "Whispering" - Paul Whiteman acous

Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 5:00 pm
by CarlosV
Henry wrote: I'm not aware that Armstrong ever played the slide trumpet on a recording (or anywhere else, for that matter), however. If anyone knows otherwise, I'd like to hear about it.
There is a recording of the Creole Jazz Band - Sobbin' Blues - in which someone plays what sounds like an ocarina or a slide whistle, certainly not anything that sounds like a trombone. The discographies claim that it is Armstrong who plays it. You can hear it on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONDr4zau53c

Re: Mystery instrument on "Whispering" - Paul Whiteman acous

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2017 9:20 am
by Henry
That'a a slide whistle, starting at 0:35 and ending at 1:00. Elsewhere Armstrong is playing second trumpet/cornet(?), his usual assignment in the KOCJB.

Re: Mystery instrument on "Whispering" - Paul Whiteman acous

Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2017 4:41 pm
by Wolfe
Here's another enjoyable one for the slide whistle crowd, Tell Me Little Gypsy by Art Hickman's outfit : https://youtu.be/u9JaGxVlUn8

Re: Mystery instrument on "Whispering" - Paul Whiteman acous

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 3:42 pm
by bfinan11
Whatever the instrument turns out to be, I've found more of it.

Max Dolin's Orchestra uses one in its recording of Cielito Lindo / La Golondrina (Victor 19329, 11/22/1921).