Calliope Playing

Hopefully the Perfessor of the Keyboard Travis will answer you. I probably hold the record for most trips without a calliope certificate, but I can tell you there are 32 notes, including black keys, and yes, you can play chords. Now what the range is, I have no clue. The keyboard is electronic, so pushing the keys is not a problem as in the old days.

David,
practice on an organ or a keyboard with sustained tones. Block off the upper and lower ends of the keyboard leaving only the middle playable. Practice on a piano is almost useless, for on a calliope you must hold the key down to sustain the tone. Then talk with Travis Vasconcelos.

Dave,
The range is from middle "C" to the third "G" above. You (or someone else) must blow the water out of the whistles before they will speak properly.

Bob,
thanks! that's a big help. Now to decide which stop to use on our organ for practicing--and hoping perfessor Travis posts some suggestions for playing style. So, the keyboard is electric now, wonder what the key touch is like.
Hotting up the whistles makes sense. Back in my steam launch days, I was always going to build a small calliope--I even have the plans and most of the materials but never the time!
S'
David D.

Alan,
Thanks, I assumed the organ would be the best for practicing (actualy, I am going down today to work on the portable platform for our new consol, so I can "play around a bit." Always makes me nervous when I cut into the balck walnut--the wood is so expensive I don't want to make a mistake!). I hope the perfessor is reading this thread and will post some hints.
S'
David D.

David,
My wife and I and at least one other member of this forum that will be on the March 17th DQ trip. I'm looking forward to meeting you and hearing you play. And, one more thing...you're gonna love it.

Bruno,
Oh boy, "looking forward to hearing me play" egads, no pressure!! Oh well, I suppose anyone within a few miles will hear whatever I do. Hmm, more practicing, as soon as I figure out what is within my limited abilities!
Sure hope someone posts with some playing style hints!
Steamcerely,
David Dewey

There is much more in common with pipe organs and calliopes than many people realize. Other than being only 3/5 of a rank or so and being operated on steam rather than air, the differences begin to disappear and the similarities become apparent.

Calliope whistles are actually stopped flue pipes of extremely large scale, designed for high output. Although the mouths of these whistles often extend a full 360 degrees around the "pipe's" circumference, the operating principle is exactly the same. For further information on the physics behind the sound, read about my research in Flue Pipe Acoustics at http://rjweisen.50megs.com

This research led to a number of patents, both US and foreign on two entirely new classes of whistles of extreme output and efficiency.

I also moderate a discussion list devoted entirely to steam whistles and their design at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/steam-whistles I invite everyone with an interest in steam whistles or calliopes to join.

Calliope Pics

Here are the pics I took for you the week of July 17th-24th Nashville to Chattanooga. Hope this helps. Good Luck!

Thanks Judy, the keyboard pic is especially usefull! Now to get to practicing! No place to put sheet music!
Steamcerely,
David D.