Hello Whistlers,
I was awarded an Overton low D in the Freeman raffle.
It has arrived and I find it challenging to play. I have a Shaw low f,
a Ralph Cooke low D, and a Copeland low D. I play them all without real
difficulty. My problem with the Overton is in the upper octave. I have heard the phrase ‘lean into it’ and it is certainly true of the Overton. It is much more physical to play into the upper register than any of the others. Is this simply a
question of time? Any advise from the Overton players out there?
The tone is rich in the lower register and also in the higher (when I can ring it in).
If you practice with it enough, the Overton will become natural to you. But if you get off onto another whistle or just like to jump around whenyou’re practicing, it will be more difficult.
My first whistle ever was an Overton Low D. It took me a while to get it, but once I did it was a dream. I really like leaning into the notes. Once you get that you will learn to be able to back off of it too. This will give you a range of expression in your whistle playing. I was at the SF Whistle fest last fall and during a group piece I was having difficulty getting the high d in tune with a particular whistle I was playing. I picked up my Overton and was able to lean into it and get it to go.
I am also in recent receipt of a Copeland Low D (yesterday) and noticed how much less pressure the upper octive takes. This will be something of a challenge I can see. The Copeland definately has a different and yet pleasing sound to it. It sort of growls and has a bit of air noise. I will be seeing if Copeland can reduse that aspect of the whistle for me.
Depending on how things go, it is likely I will develope a favorite and keep only that one.
Mr Copeland meet Mr Overton. Let the competition begin.
I love my Overton all except for the high octave B. It takes a whole lungful of air for me to hit that note. I wonder if Copelands are better in that respect.
Shado, the raffle in question was a one time thing put on by JessieK to benefit Jerry Freeman, who was going through a very difficult time with his wife having surgery. It was just a few weeks ago, and won’t be repeated.
I had an Overton G once and I took it into the
desert and wailed with all my might.
There was a massive exodus of coyotes,
but after that I had the top end.
You might go somewhere and
blow it like there’s no tomorrow. Best
Yes, i agree, the High B was a real challenge, but i’ve had my overton low d for about 3-4 months now, and once it is warmed up enough it comes out like butter.
I second Chuck Clark on his point about whistle jumping. I play an Overton low D, in addition to several other higher pitched whistles, and must re-adjust to each one I pick up. I know there are those who don’t find Overtons to their liking…the same is true for every whistle, but I’d work with it for a good long while before concluding anything. Those who love Overtons really love them. My relationship with mine improves in increments each month, but I’m looking forward to my turn, in the Weston Whistle tour, to have a go at a different low D for comparison.
Emmline, as the current holder of the Weston I’ll break in and say that I think you’ll find it a very different sort of whistle. Sounds good, has more volume and a much more solid low end than my Dixon D, but doesn’t seem to have backpressure of the Overton.
Fairly wide hole spacing, but smallish finger holes (my Serpent A has larger holes!). I won’t try to do a review here (yet) but would be interested in seeing your thoughts after you’ve had a chance to play them side by side.
I found my Goldie Overton F tough at first but I love it now. You really do have to warm it up first to get the best out of it (I assume the same is true of all Overtons). The neat thing (IMO) is that even though you have to use lot’s of pressure on the high notes, they pop out at about the same volume as the lower octave…very nice.