Another whistle question. I ask it here because it’s pipe related, for me anyway.
I am thinking of picking up a whistle that is a bit closer to “chanter size” but not as goofy feeling as a low D. Anyone play a whistle that is a bit more comfy than a low D but not as “finger confining” as a high D? Perhaps a low G or low F? Maybe even a soprano A? I am thinking of something moderately inexpensive like a Susato Dublin. Obviously, comfort is my primary concert here and not choice of pitch.
A low G or F whistle would fit the bill.I compared finger stretches of Overton whistles next to my Stephenson concert chanter.The ‘G’ holes (allowing for their bigger diameter)are almost the same stretch,down to hole 7 (but of course you don’t use your pinky on whistle).
The F’s bottom hole is halfway between the bottom holes on the chanter.
I reckon that the G whistle would be handiest (unless you have a flat set in C!).
I agree with Kevin on the choice of a low G for close approximation to chanter finger spacing. I have a Overton Low G, on which I use a piper’s grip, that is fairly close to the same finger spacing as my Gallagher D chanter. The low G is a bit more robust in diameter and, of course, doesn’t have the back d or bottom hand pinky hole that the chanter does, so the feel isn’t quite the same in that resepct but is otherwise close.
jack, i feel like i am about to rain on your parade.
i do not think a low whistle of any kind is at all any way to explore pipers grip. there will be major differences between even the closest fit low whistle and a chanter. the angle of the fingers, the way they move, and the very fact that on the chanter you are often taking off a couple of fingers only even for higher notes- its all very different.
the whistle is an amazing way to explore irish trad, and learn ornamentation etc. but the pipers grip of the low whistle is only loosely related to the chanter grip.
to prove it, look around at any session. you will find more than a few people who play low whistles rather well with the fingertips. some flute players use the tips of one hand and a “piper like grip” on the other. but you will NEVER see that on a UP players. its basically impossible.
if you must explore piper’s grip, it would almost be more useful to pick up a highland practice chanter for 40 bucks and a highland tutor for 20 bucks, and go for it. the repetoire, the fingering, it all different. but the stretch is very similar.
todays controversial comment, and the others will think i am nuts
Meir, sorry, but I can’t totally agree with your assessment. Old photos of UP players show that some of them did, in fact, play with the fingertips. The piper’s grip seems to have become more universal only in the last century, quite possibly because of the greater ease of movement it affords. I also find that fingering for whistle closely parallels piping fingering. Many UPers go back and forth between pipes and whistles regularly.
However, no whistle can prepare you for working with bag and bellows. If you can afford a couple of hundred for a good quality low whistle, then you can save up a couple hundred more and get a UP practise set and start out right.
Firstly, I already play UPs, at an “acceptable” level. I just never learned to play whistle much. Time constraints got me to thinking that learning tunes on whistle might help in transitioning to pipes. My biggest obstacle is my hands are so damn big I can’t get the “feel” of a hi D whistle. I do play low whistle with a grip very similar to how I play UP chanter. The finger stretch isn’t a problem…never has been.
I’ve played Highland pipes for nearly 20 years. Know TONS more about GHB than uilleann pipes…got a drawer of medals and trinkets for my years of blood, sweat, & tears…
I, too, suffer from BBHS (Bloody Big Hand Syndrome) and I have a couple of Bb whistles sitting around. Not too bad for size and grip, and loverly for some slow airs. They’re Generation whistles, by the bye. Cheap, and you can use them to fend off those viscious caterpillars when they object to your flootling.
Two modern day Dublin pipers Donnacha Dwyer and Eoin Dillon both use the “floot” upper hand finger-tip technique without much bother. I can see where Meir is coming from though. Most modern day pipers use the “new” grip utilizing flat fingers, the theory is that it is necessary for fast upper hand triplets and such… I suppose it’s basically whatever you’re used to. These human being creatures seem to be quite adaptive
