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Post new topic making that eerie whistle blow? On C6
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Author Topic:  making that eerie whistle blow? On C6
Paul Seager


From:
Augsburg, Germany
Post  Posted 9 Apr 2015 10:30 pm    
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Seem to be playing quiet a few train songs in the band's program and I've been trying to get that wonderful, onlyto-be-heard-in-America, train whistle effect on my C6 steel.

Unfortunately German trains "peep" rather than provide that wonderful, multi-toned whistle so I am having to work from memory on how exactly it sounds.

Quick check says that the "train songs" in our program are in G or E, if this helps. I've been messing around with Dim and Aug chords but can't quite make it sound right.

Can one of you US bound fellas help me out here?

\ paul
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Bayern Hawaiians: https://www.youtube.com/@diebayernhawaiians3062
Other stuff: https://www.youtube.com/@paulseager3796/videos
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Peter Funk


From:
Germany
Post  Posted 9 Apr 2015 11:39 pm    
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Hi Paul,

is this what you're lookung for?
Train Whistle
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Mike Spieth


From:
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Post  Posted 10 Apr 2015 6:52 am    
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Wow...that's great!
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Roy Thomson


From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
Post  Posted 10 Apr 2015 9:46 am    
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Awesome demo there by Kayton Smile

I do a straight bar (no slant) in key of D.
C6th First string E

Play 2 and 3 at fret 12 (D7) volume pedal down then up after picking strings. Waver Bar slightly Same at fret 9

Sounds like this:

http://picosong.com/Vdiu
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Ray Montee


From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
Post  Posted 10 Apr 2015 11:03 am     Another type of whistle....................
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Great instructional example given here by Mr. Roberts. It takes some practice but anything's possible.

You might wish to go to the JERRYBYRD-FANCLUB.com site and scroll down on the page "MUSIC" (listen).
Then select Byrd's Boogie. Lot's more train whistle examples.

On Jerry's guitars page.......there is a description
of the exact type of TONE CONTROL that Jerry was using when most of those records were recorded.

Personally, I prefer Byrd's choice.

Your guitar might just need a different TONE CONTROL POT..........one that will provide a much wider spread from bass to treble.
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Paul Seager


From:
Augsburg, Germany
Post  Posted 10 Apr 2015 11:18 am    
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Thanks to you all. I thought that Kayton nailed it but the other suggestions are just as interesting.

'So lonesome ...' was actually the starting point of the discussion ... "Paul, can you get that train sound?" and now we're playing 'Blue Railroad Train', 'Georgia on a Fast Train' there'll be more for sure.

Anyway, time to get back to the man-cave and make that whistle blow.

\ paul
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\paul


Bayern Hawaiians: https://www.youtube.com/@diebayernhawaiians3062
Other stuff: https://www.youtube.com/@paulseager3796/videos
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Fraser Moffatt


From:
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 10 Apr 2015 12:06 pm    
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A few other train horn tunes:

Wreck of the Old 97
Smoke Along the Tracks
and of course, Fulsom Prison.

So much fun!

Depends on the key of the tune, but I'm finding a half tone slide up on 2&3 strings an octave above the root works pretty well. I'm sure there's better ways, but this sounds decent to me!
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Bishop Ronnie P Hall


From:
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 19 Jun 2015 5:45 am    
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Hi Guys! Smile
A few years ago I recorded a piece called "Glory Bound Train". I don't know if this suits the discussion, but I would like you to take a listen and see if any of this fits the conversation, if not I sincerely apologize for the intrusion.
BTW Overlook the subject matter, it was recorded for a different reason.(smile)
Ron
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNclM4zpuCk
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Peter Lindelauf

 

From:
Penticton, BC
Post  Posted 19 Jun 2015 7:51 am    
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There's feeling and then there's meaning. I worked as a railway telegraph operator in the late 70s and 80s. A girlfriend at the time said, "I thought trains just tooted when they were happy." Here's what the classic train whistle sound signifies:

– – o – [long, long, short, long] Trains or engines approaching public highway grade crossings shall sound the horn at least 15 seconds, but no more than 20 seconds before the lead engine enters the crossing. Trains or engines travelling at speeds greater than 45 mph shall begin sounding the horn at or about, but not more than, one-quarter mile (1,320 feet) in advance of the nearest public crossing. Even if the advance warning provided by the horn will be less than 15 seconds in duration. This signal is to be prolonged or repeated until the engine or train occupies the crossing; or, where multiple crossing are involved, until the last crossing is occupied. 2. Approaching tunnels, yards, or other points where railroad workers may be at work. 3. Passing standing trains.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_horn#Common_horn_signals
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Edward Meisse

 

From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
Post  Posted 19 Jun 2015 8:37 am    
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Roy Thomson wrote:
Awesome demo there by Kayton Smile

I do a straight bar (no slant) in key of D.
C6th First string E

Play 2 and 3 at fret 12 (D7) volume pedal down then up after picking strings. Waver Bar slightly Same at fret 9

Sounds like this:

http://picosong.com/Vdiu


I do the same thing. But I use strings one and two (the 9th chord).
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Jeff Mead


From:
London, England
Post  Posted 19 Jun 2015 9:10 am    
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Here's a lesson from the master - Kayton Roberts:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10200461795248610&fref=nf
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