How far do tunable whistles actually tune?

Whistle
1

Here is something I have been thinking about for quite some time.

How far can the actual various major makes of whistle go from the key of the whistle?

I understand the purpose of the tuning slides is only for when another instrument being played with, or the whistle, is a bit off of the desired note and needs tuned.

However, some of the tuning slides on my whistles can go quite afar from what I would imagine a whistle or other instrument would ever go from the normal tuning, unless desired. I would only imagine a slight movement of the tuning slide would be needed for that.

I tried to test how far sharp and flat my whistles can tune , however, my tuner I use for octave mandolin gives really weird readings for whistles, no matter what whistle I use. I also have a bad ear for picking out a note, especially when it’s not changing by a full tone.

So, does anyone here know exactly how far down they tune? A full half-step?

I am especially interested in knowing how far the goldies, burkes, and susatos go, as that’s the only ones that really apply to me.


I ask this also, because I was thinking about C#/Db whistles. I own one, it’s a susato, which can’t actually “tune up”, only down. However, I was thinking a higher end C# whistle could be quite useful if it could tune up to be a D whistle, or down to be a C whistle, in perfect pitch. I saw burke offers a C#. If it could play as a D or a C whistle, I’d be very interested, as C is one of the more common useful keys that I do not own a very good one yet, and it’s quite useful for breton tunes in proper key.

Anyone have some info on this?

2

The biggest issue you’ll face is that the tuning is relative. The farther one moves from the original key of the instrument the further out of tune individual notes will be. In other words, you might find a whistle that will tune the bell note 1/2 step (I doubt it though) but the rest of the notes will be off by quite a lot from what you desire. You can easily test this by simply holding an Eb and D whistle of the same diameter side by side and you will note that the hole spacing is quite different as are the hole sizes. Unfortunately it isn’t that simple.

ecohawk

3

You might be able to tune some whistles down a half-step at the bell note, but since the other measurements are unchanged the rest of the scale will not be in tune. Of course any adjustment of the slide throws the proportions off but it’s not too noticeable for small corrections. I think the main reason for an extra-long slide is for a good seal and to prevent wobbles.

4

Ahh, that makes sense. I had actually thought about the hole proportions and sizes being stagnant, therefore it not being useful, but then I read on a thread here about people turning generation Bb whistles into B whistles, and claiming it works well and plays in tune. This confuses me a bit, because the hole sizes and distances are not changing when this is done.


Thank you for the answers. It looks like I shall not be going for a fancy Db whistle that I will likely not have much use for, anytime soon! (..or until I have all the different makes of other keys that I want :stuck_out_tongue: )

5

people turning generation Bb whistles into B whistles

That can be done, as would the D to C# conversion but it would involve a certain amount of pruning at both ends.

I have a Sindt B however that, when fully pulled out, will acceptably function as a Bflat.

6

Worth pointing out that many whistles (and flutes etc.) are designed to be in tune with the slide slightly extended when warm.

I think the main reason for an extra-long slide is for a good seal and to prevent wobbles.

Yep, longer slides just tend to work and/or feel better!

7

Wouldn’t all of this primarily be having the negative effect only when tuning the whistle down?


When tuning the whistle higher, wouldn’t the bell note be the only note thrown off tune, since one half is being trimmed in size, and the bottom would only be affecting the lowest note?

Prior to ever writing this post, I have messed around with tuning my whistles up and down, and indeed, tuning it down made things sound a bit messy.. however, there are many times I tune my whistles sharp when playing alone, if playing something a bit more snappy, and I have not noticed any issues with poor tuning to itself. I assume on a D whistle, tuning the whistle sharp would only affect the D note, right?

8

Nope, it’ll still affect everything!