Galeón Irish Whistles

Galeón is the work of one maker, Xu Hang, who goes by Andy, in Beijing. His own passion for Irish music led him into instrument making, starting with uilleann pipes, then whistles, and later the Irish flutes he is also known for. Andy is a meticulous maker, and it shows in every instrument that leaves his shop.

The aluminum range pairs a Delrin head with an aluminum body. The tone is clear and efficient with the air you give it, never overly chiffy, yet it holds just enough edge to keep real character, the sort of evocative, classic voice that marks the best-sounding whistles. Volume strikes a fine balance, plenty for a strong session without ever overpowering it, and the air requirement stays modest. Intonation is impeccable, making these a strong choice for playing alongside others and for recording and performance where accurate tuning is paramount. These whistles are as at home in a session or on a stage as they are in your kitchen. Every model is tunable.

Finding the right Galeón whistle

High D: the go-to pitch for Irish traditional repertoire and the natural place to start.

Alto G and Alto F: a fine middle ground, carrying much of the sonority and resonance of a low whistle while keeping a quick, nimble response. Many players find these become favorites, since the repertoire they would otherwise play on a D sits comfortably here, with a smoother, lower, richer tone.

Low D: pitched an octave below the High D, with the deep, resonant voice a low whistle is prized for.