CP: New from O’Brien, the Chromalow Whistle

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OBrien
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CP: New from O’Brien, the Chromalow Whistle

Post by OBrien »

I have had numerous requests over the years for a chromatic low whistle, ie a converted standard flute. Until now, none of my attempts played in tune. The problem is with the conical shape of a flute headjoint. I decided to buy a flute headjoint, cut off the embouchure hole and replace it with a machined Delrin mouthpiece. I’m happy with the result. Here’s a YouTube clip:

https://youtu.be/sVOCdOFskyI

The name Flistle was suggested by somebody who owns one of my Whisolos, a combination piccolo and whistle, and is better than “Whute”. Any other suggestions are welcome.

Edit:A new name has been suggested- Chromalow, because it’s low and chromatic. And it rhymes with Whisolo.
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Re: CP: New from O’Brien, the Chromalow Whistle

Post by pancelticpiper »

How about Boehistle? (Sort of rhymes with thistle.)

Whoot?

Whoehm?

BTW did you try a wedge in a low whistle head? Makes it play more or less like a tapered headjoint.
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Re: CP: New from O’Brien, the Chromalow Whistle

Post by fatmac »

Chromolo & Chromistle. :)
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Re: CP: New from O’Brien, the Chromalow Whistle

Post by JTU »

What about taking the Ch from chromatic, the lo from low and the e from whistle and call it the “Chloe”
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Re: CP: New from O’Brien, the Chromalow Whistle

Post by Mr.Gumby »

Here’s a YouTube clip:

https://youtu.be/sVOCdOFskyI
The way your hand goes to your chest at the end raises questions about the effort going into playing the thing :D
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Re: CP: New from O’Brien, the Chromalow Whistle

Post by Thomaston »

Are the keys not awkward to press down?
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Re: CP: New from O’Brien, the Chromalow Whistle

Post by OBrien »

Mister G- That’s where my iPad’s remote shutter was. Or maybe I should say it was the intense emotion I was feeling, thinking about Bunratty, the O’Brien family castle and being unable to claim it when I visited.

Thomaston- I find it comfortable, turned partway to the right and using a modified piper’s grip.
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Re: CP: New from O’Brien, the Chromalow Whistle

Post by Mr.Gumby »

Mister G- That’s where my iPad’s remote shutter was. Or maybe I should say it was the intense emotion I was feeling, thinking about Bunratty, the O’Brien family castle and being unable to claim it when I visited.
For a moment it looked like you were going to keel over.
Bunratty, the O’Brien family castle and being unable to claim it when I visited.
The current castle was built by the MacNamaras, the O'Briens sold the land in the early 18th century, no wonder you couldn't claim it :lol:
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Re: CP: New from O’Brien, the Chromalow Whistle

Post by OBrien »

Curses, foiled again.
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Re: CP: New from O’Brien, the Chromalow Whistle

Post by OBrien »

I figured out how to use YouTube’s editor to trim two seconds off the end of my video- no more heart trouble.
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Re: CP: New from O’Brien, the Chromalow Whistle

Post by pancelticpiper »

O'Brien wrote:I’m happy with the result.

https://youtu.be/sVOCdOFskyI
Well you should be happy, it sounds wonderful.

There's a "vertical" movement going on in the Boehm flute world due to the number of flutists with neck, shoulder, or wrist problems making playing of a transverse flute excruciating. The ones I tried had plastic support thingies on the back, because you can't support the flute in the usual transverse way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtO5C3iho5c
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Re: CP: New from O’Brien, the Chromalow Whistle

Post by OBrien »

Richard- I’m working on a clip on Delrin support for the right thumb.
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Re: CP: New from O’Brien, the Chromalow Whistle

Post by OBrien »

I just put a Breton G minor tune on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/nAlMcHQ3oQs
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Re: CP: New from O’Brien, the Chromalow Whistle

Post by Sedi »

Interesting. Nick Metcalf has been doing something like that too. Just one thought -- and please don't take it the wrong way, but I think your fingering is wrong. If your Boehm flute works anything like mine the right pinky should stay on the whistle and work the corresponding key (the left one of the 3 little keys on the foot of the flute). The right pinky only is removed for a couple of notes and is used to balance the flute while at the same time keeping the key open which works just the other way round as the rest of the keys. At least that's how my flute works.
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Re: CP: New from O’Brien, the Chromalow Whistle

Post by piperjoe »

Is the head going to be retrofittable (is that even word?) to existing flutes? Or does one need to buy the complete instrument from you?

Also, pricing? (edit: OK, 2 minutes on your web site answered my questions). Might just have to order the head joint...and the piccolo.

Kewl stuff, look forward to trying one. :thumbsup:

Piper Joe
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