I have just joined this site and have read with great interest the favourable comments about Jerry Freeman ‘tweaked’ whistles. I live in County Durham, England, a few miles from Dave Shaw. I am considering buying one of his low D whistles, but I am concerned about comments that one needs the equivalent of a wind tunnel to blow them, and indeed, some were “unplayable from the box.”
I play percussion in a local band called the North Country Dance Band, and would like to play a melody instrument for a change, so I do not need an amazing instrument, just one that is reliable, easy to play, with a mellifluous tone, or perhaps that would be amazing! I am a begginer, and so would be playing at home accompanying my wife who plays fiddle.
I would welcome any advice on which low D whistle would best suit my needs, and whether to tweak or not to tweak.
and search on low d in the various catagories and listen to as many different clips as you can. I would listen to some of the other low whistle clips as well. This is so you can get an idea of what sound you like best.
Please remember to temper the sound on the clips against the quality of the recordings and equipment used to collect them. Once you get an idea of what sound you like then you could cruise some of the mfgs sites to see if any clips are available there.
I have an Goldie manufactured Overton Low D. I like it a lot. My wife likes the Alba sound. That is why I suggest LOTS of listening.
Many thanks for the speedy replys and advice contained therein, especially the links. Obviously sound is extremely important, but as a novice I am wondering about breath control and finger stretching. Are all whistles alike, or are some more forgiving?
Low Ds vary a lot in how easy they are to play. For beginners I always recommend a Dixon low D: The reach is about the easiest possible on a low D, the breath requirements are very low, and the whistle is even rather on the quiet side (so your neighbors won’t get too annoyed at your practice! ).
Dixons are in no way the “best” low whistles out there; sometimes the tuning’s a bit off, or there might be other problems. Annoying, but Tony Dixon provides very good customer support in these cases. Still, they are cheap and being as easy to play as they are, they make the ideal beginner’s low D.
Despite presently owning about half a dozen low Ds - several of which are obviously “better” instruments than my Dixon - I still often pick up my Dixon for a couple of tunes, for instance if I have to play quietly, or if I am just feeling lazy and want the easiest playing low D I’ve got.
Hi David. I would not recomment a shaw lowD for starters. It really takes a whole lot of air out of you, really. My first lowD was a Dixon, non tunable lowD, a great whistle.
Best, Amar.
Many thanks for taking time to help me. You are a very supportive group of people, I am so pleased I found you. It looks like I am about to be the proud owner of a Dixon quite soon. I will let you know how I get on!
I wouldn’t mess around. Order an Overton or if you want a pure flute tone and have the money a Copland. Overtons have the punch though, you being a percussionist, the pop and snap of an Overton will please your internal need to accent the rhythm. Good Luck.
Jack "Been along time since I’ve done the role"Orion
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