1st Kerry Optima Review.

[wizzywig]

Just seen this on the Kerrywhistles News.

Optima Low D Player Review - Jenny Rees Composer and Whistle Player!

First impressions on holding the instrument - it's balanced and delightfully light, whilst having the feel of a fine quality instrument. I must admit to having some initial reservations about a plastic headed low d, however, having seen and played this instrument I concede that the plastic head has added some magical alchemy of its own, more about this later!

Playability - here goes! It sits very well under the fingers. Any female players out there who have concerns about stretch need have no worries, I play two other low d's and this is by far the most comfortable to play. I'd love to see more female low d players, if you play the usual higher d whistle then I assure you that you could move with ease to this instrument, a whole new tone world is open to you - don't hesitate, you'll love it!

What about the sound? It's gorgeous, moving through warm and dark to soft and singing and with the added excitement of subtle dancing high end harmonics, all dependent on your breath - this is what I meant when I talked earlier of the plastic head adding an alchemy to the sound - there's some sort of magic in there. I spent ages simply playing long held tones just to enjoy the response of the instrument to subtle changes in breath. I also found it very easy to move from the first octave to the second with a wonderful continuity of tone colour and agility.

My own playing style moves through traditional to less conventional genres and this whistle offers exciting possibilities of use. I will definitely be recording with it and using it in my professional capacity as media music composer and player.
Finally, thanks to Phil for producing a great whistle and a special call to all female whistlers out there - take the plunge!

Jenny Rees - Composer and Whistle Player.

wiz

[Mr.Nate]

Wizzywig wrote "I play two other low d's and this is by far the most comfortable to play."

I am curious what other low D's you have to compare it too??

Thanks!

[wizzywig]

Mr.Nate, you may want to ask Jenny as she is the one who did the review.
wiz

[Mr.Nate]

Great idea! I'll give her a call and ask her.

[ Phone number removed. - Mod ]

[wizzywig]

Just see this in the Kerrywhistles News:

Hi all whistlers, the Kerry Optima is now in the hands of our distribution network which means we have to put our SHOP prices in line with their retail prices.
This will take effect from 6pm today the 27th July.
So. if you want an Optima at £79 inc postage , get one now.
If anyone reads this today please post on all relevant sites.
The Optima will be available in most music shops that stock whistles from next week.
phil

wiz

[pancelticpiper]

I play two other low d's and this is by far the most comfortable to play.

Jenny Rees - Composer and Whistle Player.

That's not much of a pool of Low D's to compare it to. One might infer that three different Low Ds comprise her total Low D experience, because if she had tried a larger number one might think she would have said so.

I wonder what her two other Low Ds are.

[JTC111]

[ Phone number removed. - Mod ]

That phone number wasn't real ...it was from the Tommy Tutone song

[MTGuru]

[ Phone number removed. - Mod ]

That phone number wasn't real ...it was from the Tommy Tutone song

Doh! You know, I didn't even look at the number. It's just a reflex, not allowing 2nd party posting of non-commercial phone numbers without permission. Even fake ones, I guess.

I remember when the song came out, and all the people who actually had that number got hammered.

[dspmusik]

well i think the right thing to do here is for the original poster of the number to record a whistle version of said song (i can't repeat the title...) ON an Optima, and post a link here

[davethetrike]

Hi
Don't forums much these days however I wanted to comment on this review.

A little bit about me.
I play mainly morris tunes and tend not to embelish. For a high D whistle I use a shaw for fun and quiet practise and a Burke Session D the rest of the time, I also own an Alba Low G that is frequently pushed to serve as a high G. I have a few other whistles but they are seldom used.

For me a Low D is a plaything, I'll seldom play it out, I might play it at a morris group session but as I dance it's unlikely.. I've had two Lo D's to date the Dixon three part jobbie - easy to play but no cosmic drainpipery, and a Howard which I hated.
I was recently at the Sidmouth folk festival (England) with half a mind to buy a Low D whistle. I was trying a few low D whistles in the music tent when I came across the Optima, I played Theme Vannataise and Cuckos nest both went quite well although the D was a bit fragile. The price was GBP 128, a tad pricey for occasional play, I was about to put it back when I found I'd gained some onlookers. The words "That's a lovely sound" seem to be addressed at me and the whistle ( How much commision they get I have no idea ) At this point the whistle was stuck to my hand and my wallet seemed to have developed a mind of its own.

Suffice to say I bought it, compared with the two whistles I've owned it sounds like a low D should and is relatively easy to play. It was head and shoulders above the other D's I tried in the shop, and it played relatively quickly and easily, I was playing it with a degree of confidence the same evening I bought it.
Not really a review I know. More of a story! I think it is a story that is going to be repeated in many places though. For me this was the frst low D whistle that was playable from the off, and I'm still playing it on a daily basis- last thing I play when I practise, it always leaves me smiling.