Chiff and Fipple Forums

Hi;
I have a Dixon Alto A Traditional Brass Whistle that I bought several years ago on my way down to low whistles. I like it's pure clear tone. I like finger spacing as I can do it without pipers grip. What I don't like is that upon occasion (especially high notes) it can crack? Not sure if that's the right term. It doesn't always do it, so I'm sure the trouble is probably me, my technique, breath control, etc. One time it will crack on a certain note then I can play that note again later and it sounds fine.
I play a song, put it down and grab another whistle that is a little more forgiving. So there it sits. That's why I thought there might be someone who wanted to do a trade. If there's interest I can post pictures, Brasso it if wanted, maybe a sound sample. I'm not a the best player yet. Only have 5 songs memorized. my goal: sound OK and not annoy the neighbors
I'm located in the USA
Any votes: Keep brass patina or use Brasso?

I had trouble with the fipple on my aluminium 'A', I'm OK on the Trad Brass, so I'm guessing you may need to do what I found I needed on mine, that is, twist the fipple very slightly in your mouth when going to the second octave, don't know why, none of my other Dixons have this 'feature'.

Re patina, I'd say keep it.

The lower Dixon "trad" models can be a little tricky to play. I have the G and it needs very good breath control. But then it sounds rather lovely. I'd keep that one and lay it aside for some time, then return to it and see if it sounds better. Those are no longer made. I do have the Dixon A with the thicker aluminum tubing -- I think those are a bit easier to play.

I used to have the Dixon brass A and G. Both were soft blowers and needed a deft touch. I switched to other whistles, but now wish I had kept them as part of my collection. Regarding brasso, I like my brass tarnished. I have no idea why, but to my ears, tarnished and worn whistles sound better.

I suspect you may have the same experience with this whistle that I have.

I'm a novice and bought a Tuneable Alto A Whistle (Brass Trad) by Tony Dixon a year ago for two reasons-- I wanted to start learning to play a moderately lower whistle; I wanted to play some fiddle tunes in D on an A whistle (crossing fingering one note) so they fit better in the range of the whistle without having to jump octaves on some phases.

I have to say I really like the sound of the Dixon A when I get the note I want but it is without question the hardest whistle I have to play. There is something extremely funky about how it jumps octaves. Sometimes it seems too easy and I get a pronounced chiff on the low octave when I don't want to jump up an octave. Sometimes it seems too hard to jump octaves and I get the horrid squawk of death if I try to hit the upper octave and miss.

My guess is with practice, I could get the tone and note I want all the time. But really, being a novice, I need to spend most of my time on my best high-D practicing to improve skills more so that playing on many different whistles

-l2t

This is why I'm really skeptical when some people say that better whistles don't exist and its all preference. I feel like its misleading. Maybe this is someone's favorite whistle. But I've lost count of the times I've read of people having a hard time with dixon A and G's. I wish Dixon would drop them or do a re model. Because Dixon high d's are actually really good for the money. Then someone gets the altos.

I'd definitely vote to go for a freeman A for anyone on a budget looking for an A. Unlike the Dixon A, I've heard pretty much nothing but compliments about it.

Narzog wrote: ↑Fri Oct 08, 2021 11:26 pm lI wish Dixon would drop them

They are no longer made for quite some time now. Dixon currently only sell D whistles and flutes (low and soprano) and one lonely C-model on their website.
The aluminium models were a bit easier to play. I have the G in brass and aluminium and the A in aluminium. I think they play fine.

Dixon is really paring down their offerings. It used to be that I was confused by all their models of high-D whistles (notwithstanding the difference between "has a tuning slide" and "doesn't"). Now it's "You can have plastic, or plastic with a tuning slide." Is The Era Of Whistles over? The economy? Or is it just that there was never a market to sustain that much variety to make it worthwhile for them?

Sedi wrote: ↑Sat Oct 09, 2021 5:58 am They are no longer made for quite some time now. Dixon currently only sell D whistles and flutes (low and soprano) and one lonely C-model on their website.
The aluminium models were a bit easier to play. I have the G in brass and aluminium and the A in aluminium. I think they play fine.

They look like they are still sold (the aluminum ones not brass). Which is good for people on a budget who will like them at least. I'm still hoping for a re model though haha.
https://www.tonydixonmusic.co.uk/product/alto-whistle/

Katharine wrote: ↑Sat Oct 09, 2021 8:31 am Dixon is really paring down their offerings. It used to be that I was confused by all their models of high-D whistles (notwithstanding the difference between "has a tuning slide" and "doesn't"). Now it's "You can have plastic, or plastic with a tuning slide." Is The Era Of Whistles over? The economy? Or is it just that there was never a market to sustain that much variety to make it worthwhile for them?

It looks to me like they still have the thick aluminum body and the nickel trad

You're right. Didn't see that one. The aluminium versions are IMO easier to play.
I think one reason they cut down the model range is that they can't get some of the tubing anymore.

Narzog wrote: ↑Sat Oct 09, 2021 10:12 am

Sedi wrote: ↑Sat Oct 09, 2021 5:58 am They are no longer made for quite some time now. Dixon currently only sell D whistles and flutes (low and soprano) and one lonely C-model on their website.
The aluminium models were a bit easier to play. I have the G in brass and aluminium and the A in aluminium. I think they play fine.

They look like they are still sold (the aluminum ones not brass). Which is good for people on a budget who will like them at least. I'm still hoping for a re model though haha.
https://www.tonydixonmusic.co.uk/product/alto-whistle/

Katharine wrote: ↑Sat Oct 09, 2021 8:31 am Dixon is really paring down their offerings. It used to be that I was confused by all their models of high-D whistles (notwithstanding the difference between "has a tuning slide" and "doesn't"). Now it's "You can have plastic, or plastic with a tuning slide." Is The Era Of Whistles over? The economy? Or is it just that there was never a market to sustain that much variety to make it worthwhile for them?

It looks to me like they still have the thick aluminum body and the nickel trad

Yes, you're right-- they do still have the nickel (I just bought one a couple weeks ago) and the alloy (I hear nice things but it was above my budget).

It 's the dearth of C whistles that throws me off. I keep waiting for a DX005 in C. That's not asking for much.