I’d like to get a Low D, but I have small hands and I am a beginner. I don’t want one that takes huge amounts of air, either. Does anyone have any suggestions as to which one I should try?
Thanks,
Gwen
At one point Colin Goldie made a Low D with the closest hole spacing of any (low D) whistle I ever measured, plus his whistles always require a very low volume of air (although you do have to supply some pressure.) I’d suggest contacting Colin, and asking him for a custom whistle, to the old specs.
Colin, I know I’m putting you on the spot here, but I do want another Low D with tone holes like my old one, and I’ll force you into making them again one way or the other! 
Gary H. do you still have my old Overton Low D?
Loren
If you have small hands but you don’t have skinny fingers,
the Howard Low D is good, and it isn’t expensive, either.
The Dixon will serve as well, cheaper still.
The Whistle Shop online is a good place, and if you
call Thom, the owner, he will give you good advice.
Neither whistle takes a lot of air.
The Sweetheart low D might be what you are looking for. Take a look at the hole spacing and the offset holes:
http://www.sweetheartflute.com/lowwhistle.html
A bit expensive, but I hear good things about the sound.
However, be aware that most people end up using Piper’s Grip or some modification of it for low D whistles. It really helps.
Here is what it looks like: http://www.thewhistleshop.com/beginners/lowd/lowd.htm
Is there a photo anywhere of a lineup of low D’s, so that one could compare spacing and tone hole size? I don’t have any low D’s now at all, because of the stretch being extremely uncomfortable.
If the tone hole size is what’s concerning you, there are some makes that would be better. But if it’s the stretch, you may want to consider a different one. The Howard is what I had and didn’t work, because of the long reach to the bottom tone hole. (Sorry, I seem to be repeating this story a lot.)
Anyhow, if you get a chance to try several, or even just hold them for a while in a shop, you’ll be better able to judge.
Jennie
DAN BINGAMON makes keyed whistles. That sounds like just the ticket for anyone with hands too small to play a low D.
Contact him here:
Cheers!
Bill Whedon
Is this (D Tenor Short Reach) the type of Overton you’re talking about?
Try this thread I started some time ago
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=22514&highlight=finger+compare
One whistle that I have added to my collection that is not discussed there is the Bleazey low d. It has a great small hands finger spread and even my wife enjoys playing it.
It should be mentioned that Susato has keyed low whistles available from G down to D.
They are at www.susato.com.
Oreo
I’d recommend a Tony Dixon, myself. That’s what I have and even I, with my stubby Nordic fingers, can comfortable get all the holes covered.
I’ve never played one, but Ronaldo Reyburn will make a Low D with an optional hole pattern that’s supposed to be easier for people with small hands.
http://reyburnlowwhistles.com/hole.html
Optionally, you might consider a Low G.
Thanks for all the advice! I ordered a Howard Low D this morning. I guess if I can’t play it, I can always sell it!
Hmm, interesting. I honestly don’t know, I’d have to hear from Colin on that to have a definitive answer.
Paging Mr. Goldie, Paging Mr. Goldie… 
Loren
OH MAN! Have I got an endorsement for Mr. Reyburn.
First of all, I don’t play low whistles. I’ve played several, and I don’t like them. I don’t like how they sound, and I don’t like how they feel. But recently, I heard a clip of a Reyburn Wide Bore low D, and I thought it was absolutely stunning, so I ordered myself one, you know, to see. Plus, my friends and family all wanted me to get a low D “so I could do that cool thing like on Titanic.” These are the people I live with.
Anyway.
I ordered it, and it came, and I have scarcely put it down. Absolutely fantastic whistle, once you get a hold on the breath requirements. The upper octave (especially middle D) can be finicky, but that’s part of the whole “Wide Bore” schtick. Once you figure it out, it is the most gorgeous-sounding low whistle I’ve heard. I’ll not trade it for anything.
The finger spacing is not especially ergonomic, though, so those of you with shorter fingers may be inclined toward his off-set fingering pattern thingy. I don’t know anything about it, but it’s supposed to make things easier.
I’ve played a Howard low D before, and a Burke low D, both were pretty hard for to play. Those bottom D holes are a very large stretch for me.
Even my Alba low F has a terrible stretch to the lower hole, but my Kerry Songbird low D has a comfortable strech. The distance between the holes on this one is much more equal. The stretch to the F hole on the Alba is very annoying, and it’s much easier on my low D.
Uh-Oh! Well, I guess if I can’t handle the stretch on the Howard it looks like I can return it. I got that one because A) It was cheaper than most and I don’t know if I will even like the sound, and B) It was pretty! Metallic Blue! Not good criteria admittedly. If this won’t work I think I might try the Reyburn…
[quote=“Lawrence”]I’ve never played one, but Ronaldo Reyburn will make a Low D with an optional hole pattern that’s supposed to be easier for people with small hands.
http://reyburnlowwhistles.com/hole.html
I, with small han ds, love the Reyburn low d…it’s got a huge sound and makes a great weapon on St. Patrick’s Day gigs. I do use my pinky instead of my ring finger…takes a little practice, but works fine.!