Penny whistle or flute for 'Fairytale of New York'

[Auntie Helen]

Our local pub has a folk song/singalong evening every month and my neighbours are keen contributors.

They discovered I play some instruments and so asked me to play along with them on the Shane McGowan/Kirsty MacColl "Fairytale of New York" on Wednesday night. I said 'yes' as I'm nice like that and they duly trotted around with the music.

It's written in a fairly easy style and sounded good on the piano. Then I discovered they didn't want me to play the piano but the flute. The flute is an octave lower than the penny whistle on the CD. Now it just so happens I have a colossally cheap souvenir-type penny whistle which I've played a bit and I can play the song. However it's not 100% in tune and it's difficult to play it quietly enough up in the upper register.

My question is:

Should I play the flute (at which I'm pretty decent) and which will be quiet enough for the smallish room in which the singalong takes place, but isn't the 'real mccoy'

OR

Should I play the penny whistle which might be a bit off key in places and a bit too loud but will be authentic?

 

[beanzontoast]

Tooty flooty. Far more melodic.

 

[magnatom]

Both. The flute with your mouth and the penny whistle with the nostril of your choice!

 

[marinyork]

Penny whistle. Doubt flute would suit it.

 

[Landslide]

Sounds like a lot of it will be down to the acoustics. Not sure how much a pub singalong should be about authenticity, more about people having fun to music.

 

[4F]

Both. The flute with your mouth and the penny whistle with .........

You not seen the clip on you tube then ?

 

[Globalti]

Definitely penny whistle. Would a Paddy play a FLUTE in a pub session? Fer Gawd's sake.....

 

[Auntie Helen]

I'm no Paddy, I'm a Kraut!

 

[Greedo]

A penny whistle!

Flutes are for orange bands!

 

[PrettyboyTim]

Swannee whistle.

 

[sheddy]

Swanee Whistle

 

[Disgruntled Goat]

Bongos

 

[Keith Oates]

I like the flute but for this excercise I would go for the Penny Whistle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Penny whistle. If you need one which is in tune, buy one.....they are only sixpence!

 

[buggi]

penny whistle. really impress them by playing it using yer arse!