Novice thinking about getting a Low A ( I think)

[learn2turn]

(First, I sure darn with there was a way to search for "low a" but it says all terms must be at least three characters.)

I have a few high D whistles I play a few minutes every day and thought I might like to get a lower pitch one. I want to stay in the $50-90 range.

Reasons for wanting a lower whistle include-- I like lower more haunting tone but I'm not ready skill-wise for $$$-wise to jump to a low D; it's just nice to have a variety of instruments around for a variety of sounds; and finally, it may sound silly but there's a fiddle tune in D I really like to play on my mandolin that I'd like to play on whistle but it goes almost two octaves A to G so it doesn't fit a D whistle well but I would think it would fit well on an A (or maybe G).

I don't know if G or A makes that much of a difference. I can easily play one key up or down on the circle-of-5ths so G would get me CGD and A would be DAE.

I looked around and see the Freeman Low A and also the Susato Dublin and Kildare. Anyone comment on which of those would fit the bill (or any others)?

And, does it make a big diff choosing A or G?

-l2t

[Sedi]

A whistle in A might be more useful as you can easily play tunes in D on it. I have the Tony Dixon A. Easy to blow, maybe too easy for some as you need some breath control. I think between Susato and Freeman I'd go for the Freeman as I like the more traditional chiffy sound. Susatos are often quite loud but that might not be true for the A. Never played one.

[Maddie]

(First, I sure darn with there was a way to search for "low a" but it says all terms must be at least three characters.)...

You can search this site using Google instead. Copy the following line into Google's search box:

site:chiffandfipple.com inurl:f=1 "low a whistle"

[Alaskamike]

I just bought a Becker Whistles low D and it seems to be very well made, and the price was very good - $24 including shipping. I am struggling with the piper's grip so I almost wish I had bought a low A first!

[fatmac]

I have Tony Dixon trad brass & tuneable aluminium, plus an aluminium Chieftain in 'A'.
They are all quite easy players, with good tone.

A 'G' might need slightly altered stretch/fingering, depending on your hands.
(I have a Tony Dixon trad brass & tuneable ABS.)

[pancelticpiper]

By "low A" do you mean a Mezzo A, halfway between a Low D and a High D, or a Bass A, fourth lower than a Low D?

Here are both demonstrated https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-fQhvleWq8&t=4s

I suspect you mean a Mezzo A. I've owned

Susato (I've had three, with three different bore sizes)

Burke

Sindt

But my favourite, and the only one I still own, is a Generation Bb head modified by Jerry Freeman on an A body that I made myself.

If I were you I would first get a Jerry Freeman Generation A. It will likely out-play A's costing several times more.

Here, far left, is my Freeman Generation Bb head on home-made body Mezzo A. It's the best A I've ever played.

[Lyscanthrope]

I understand that you have a song that you would like to play hence this choice of tonality for the whistle.

To be honest I would prefer the G because it is easier to play tune in g and I like the tone of lower whistle. But it is up to each person taste

Regarding the stretch, I think it isn't a big jump and I second the tony Dixon for not-cheap but not expensive whistle as I'm happy with my duo in G.
Best regards

[learn2turn]

I ended up ordering a Dixon A from Mcleena. Should arrive from across the pond in a couple weeks. I also bought a Generation Bb on Amazon for about $15 or so and it arrived in a day and I'd have one more whistle to play around with and another key. It plays well enough to be quite usable for the money.

If I end up liking the Dixon A, I may order a G also. They are not that expensive.

-l2t