Onyx WDSweet whistle review
Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 3:12 pm
So I'm back from the great Westbrook Fife and Drum Muster, and utterly unplanned, in possession of a new low D.
First, a brief bio for those of you who may not know me. I began whistling about 10 years ago, playing in a local session for about 7 years, and have collected and sold and traded many whistles over the years. I've had the great fortune to go to Ireland and hear the music there, to learn from dear, and dear departed old Irish men, and talk to many people who truly know what the music is all about. I had a truly wonderful experience working with Ralph and Walt Sweet as part of Sweetheart Flutes. To be honest, I'm not a great musician, but I am "well versed".
I haven't been in the market for a whistle in a long time. I'd settled on a few well-loved instruments, and need no others.
So then I got to the muster (it was awesome this year despite some worries about too much of a good thing) and when marching off the field at the head of Amer i-clique, who do I see but Walt Sweet grinning from a booth of fifes, flutes and whistles. Nice to catch up with him! Then I got handed a low D whistle to try.
My needs for a whistle are simple: make it easy for me to make pleasant music. The Onyx has surely done that in the category of Low D whistle. I've always been a fan of offset holes, and found that the reach was natural and not at all uncomfortable for me with my small woman's hands. (N.B. the only low D whistle I've ever cared to play was the original Sweetheart Low D. I've owned three other low d's that I'm dissatisfied with.) The mouthpiece is comfortable, there is an adjustable thumbrest, and the balance of the instrument is such that I don't need a tight grip to keep it in place. The air requirements are the best I've played yet. My test for that is simply running the scale as many times as I can. Now as for those scales...
I was sold. I love that thrum on the low D. I went up to the next D and felt the thrum THERE too! and then with no real effort I went up to the third D, and it was mellow and delightful. I've played it for a few hours and haven't lost my breath, gotten achey hands, or found a note that makes me unhappy. Appearances don't matter to me at all, but I think the two-toned effect of black on black is jazzy.
I'm truly delighted with this Low D. Walt has designed another winner. If you give me a few days, I'll post a practice clip.
Submitted for your approval,
Tyg
First, a brief bio for those of you who may not know me. I began whistling about 10 years ago, playing in a local session for about 7 years, and have collected and sold and traded many whistles over the years. I've had the great fortune to go to Ireland and hear the music there, to learn from dear, and dear departed old Irish men, and talk to many people who truly know what the music is all about. I had a truly wonderful experience working with Ralph and Walt Sweet as part of Sweetheart Flutes. To be honest, I'm not a great musician, but I am "well versed".
I haven't been in the market for a whistle in a long time. I'd settled on a few well-loved instruments, and need no others.
So then I got to the muster (it was awesome this year despite some worries about too much of a good thing) and when marching off the field at the head of Amer i-clique, who do I see but Walt Sweet grinning from a booth of fifes, flutes and whistles. Nice to catch up with him! Then I got handed a low D whistle to try.
My needs for a whistle are simple: make it easy for me to make pleasant music. The Onyx has surely done that in the category of Low D whistle. I've always been a fan of offset holes, and found that the reach was natural and not at all uncomfortable for me with my small woman's hands. (N.B. the only low D whistle I've ever cared to play was the original Sweetheart Low D. I've owned three other low d's that I'm dissatisfied with.) The mouthpiece is comfortable, there is an adjustable thumbrest, and the balance of the instrument is such that I don't need a tight grip to keep it in place. The air requirements are the best I've played yet. My test for that is simply running the scale as many times as I can. Now as for those scales...
I was sold. I love that thrum on the low D. I went up to the next D and felt the thrum THERE too! and then with no real effort I went up to the third D, and it was mellow and delightful. I've played it for a few hours and haven't lost my breath, gotten achey hands, or found a note that makes me unhappy. Appearances don't matter to me at all, but I think the two-toned effect of black on black is jazzy.
I'm truly delighted with this Low D. Walt has designed another winner. If you give me a few days, I'll post a practice clip.
Submitted for your approval,
Tyg