I’m selling a side-blow bamboo flute in the key of F (it’s 18.5 inches long) because it’s too hard for me to finger the holes properly and I’ve found the side-blow action to be rather uncomfortable. I’ve been doing some light research into low whistles and sofar I love them, especially the ones in D. However, I’m afraid that if I order one, I’ll have the same problem with the holes being too far apart for my fingers. Any thoughts, anyone?
Also, since I’m a beginner, I’ve read that it’s strongly suggested I start out with a soprano whistle. Unfortunately, the soprano notes REALLY REALLY get on my nerves. Do I HAVE to start with a higher pitched soprano or can I jump right into the deeper low whistles? What’s a good, cheap beginner whistle?
No, you dont have to. I didn’t like my first high whistle much at all, and started with the low. I still much prefer the low, but having bought a high D that is nicer (in my hands, that is - the first one I got was highly regarded but more difficult to make sound nice) I find that the high D has its good points (even in my hands). My first low D needed a lot of air in the second octave, and got quite loud/shrill and that deterred me from the upper reaches of the whistle.
I can see that, had I persevered with a high whistle, the learning curve would have been less steep. With the low whistle you have to learn as much as with the high whistle, but you also have to learn to stretch to the holes. (Hint: search for ‘pipers grip’ without which I could not play).
Also, you can go with a whistle between the high and low D - a compromise between the deeper sound and the easier reach. I haven’t done this so I cant give advice.
Just my opinion. I am sure you will get many others.
I would search this forum: there have been many threads on these topics.
About the finger-stretch: Low D’s have to have a certain hole-spacing because if the holes are too close together you get weak notes. The hole-spacing on all Low D’s represents a compromise between the theoretically ideal hole-spacing which would give strong, in-tune notes over the entire scale but would be so far apart that nobody could play it, and an ergonomic hole-spacing which falls comfortably under anyone’s fingers but gives an out-of-tune scale with feeble notes. You can’t have both: it’s the laws of acoustics vs human anatomy.
Most Low D players have adopted the so-called “piper’s grip” which makes the widely spaced holes easier to cover with relaxed hands. Unless you have really big hands you’ll not be able to comfortably cover the holes on a normal Low D using the sort of finger posture people use on Recorders etc.
About starting on a Low D: Yes many people say that a person must “master” the High D whistle before learning the Low D. To me this doesn’t make any sense: we don’t force people who want to learn the tuba to “master” the trumpet first.
You might shop around for a high-D that isn’t as “obtrusive”. There is a HUGE range in upper-octave-annoyance-level between all the whistles out there. I find that the Burke narrow bores (I currently have a composite and just sold a brass) are “sweet” in the upper octave and can play with a wide variance in decibel level. The Parks Everywhistle is another option with its “muffler”. I also own a Susato and some Generations - they are ALL ear-piercing when you get above about an F.
I would recommend you try the high-D again, FWIW… If you get an A or G, the fingering will be easier than the low D, but it’ll be harder to play along with “company”, unless you get used to some other fingerings and THAT will mess you up when you DO get back to a low D.
Some whistles, notably the Susato brand, incorporate keys that allow more comfortable fingering in low whistles. They aren’t the most expensive either.
But since you’re changing instruments, have you given any thought to other members of the flute family? The tenor and bass ocarinas can produce beautiful, low tones while being very ergonomic for small hands, and of course the pan flute doesn’t require fingering at all. Just some thoughts.
I also recommend starting with a high or alto whistle, and then working your way into lower keys. You could probably start with an alto G whistle, one whole step higher than the F flute you had. Use the pipers grip on the low G, and then eventually get a low D, and you will probably have a pretty fast turnaround time. I would recommend starting with a Susato dublin alto G, it’s only about 30 USD, in tune, and is a cost effective way to get you familiar with piper’s grip.
So many variables.
Physique. Desire. Aptitude. Goals. Expectations.
My gateway drug, into what has become a full-blown addiction, was a Low F Whistle.
I suffered through the squawks, and the sore hands, and the overall steepish learning-curve (as in ANY new endeavor), and because of my desire to play music that I loved the sound of, and NOT on a high whistle (which hurts me ears!), I’ve come to really enjoy myself with these great simple instruments.
We would really like you to tell us so many more things like:
How little are your hands?
Are you teaching yourself? (Many of us have, myself included?)
What opportunities do you have to try out whistles? Do you have a local shop that sells whistles or will let you try out whistles? Do you live near a session that you could mingle and check out other whistles? Most musicians would love to give you a quick show n tell with their whistles. I don’t know how many would let you blow their whistles (I don’t go to sessions and don’t know the etiquette but I let even slobbery children blow my whistles.) Your profile doesn’t show a location but I would think you live by someone. Or is your only option to buy off-line and buy blindly?
How much is money a consideration? (Some people here seem to buy high-end whistles every other day. I don’t that’s for sure. You could buy a whole set of cheap whistles for the cost of 1 high end whistle and slowly stretch those hands. I bought a cheap low D bamboo whistle on-line a few years back as a test to see if I could play one. $10 well spent. It’s not concert pitch or anything but it’s in tune to itself.)
If you’re the least bit craftman inclined or have a family or friend craftman inclined, there are free simple instructions on-line on how to build a whistle or flute.
About the Susato Low D with keys, I finally got to try one and I didn’t like the “feel” of the keys at all. I have a Susato Low D and well as a Susato Low C, both keyless, and I’ll stick with those.
But… the Susato keyed Low Whistles offer a promise of BIG things to come, because once you start putting keys on the things there’s almost no limit to how low you can go. I’d really REALLY like to see keyed Susatos in Bass A, Bass G, and Contrabass D. I’ll gladly put up with the odd feel of the keys to get whistles that low.
I totally didn’t expect this many responses so quickly! And so in depth, too! You guys are amazing and I’ve got some more research ahead of me, it seems.
My cheap Tony Dixon low D measures as follows for the finger spacing on each hand(center of the holes):
Bottom hand, low to high: x----1 1/2"----1 1/4" Basically 2 3/4" from ring finger to first finger.
Top hand, low to high: x----1 3/8"----1 1/2" Also 2 3/4" from ring finger to first finger.
Total instrument is 22 1/2 inches long. This guy: http://www.hobgoblin-usa.com/local/product.php?ID=GR2352D Hopefully those measurements will help you compare with your current instrument. I’ve heard this is on the small end for finger spacing, but I’m no low whistle expert-or any other sort of expert for that matter. If you want more measurements, let me know.
Edit: total measurements from bell end to mouthpiece(measuring to the center of the holes):
Ruthevh, you have received a lot of good advice–but I must add a bit more. I agree with many of you that the high D whistle is just too much. It’s fun on jigs, but anything with held notes in the upper range–well, I want to HEAR when I’m 70!!
Neither did I like the low D whistle I tried. It seemed big as a log, felt like it was going to fall out of my hands, required the air of a forge bellows, and, of course, demanded that infernal piper’s grip!
Have you thought of a low A whistle? I have a Burke A what I love so much I’m afraid to take it out of the house! It sounds deep and rich in the lower notes, is nowhere near piercing in the highest note, and doesn’t take three lungs to play. It’s low enough to be comfortable, yet I can play it with my fingertips if I do a slight change of angle on my right wrist (a little lower, more “under” the whistle).
I think A whistles don’t get enough attention!
I like A whistles quite a lot; they are very useful. A and D are pretty common guitar keys, so if you are doing worship or folk it is useful. I recently sold my A but want to get another, probably clarke or similar.
Here’s an idea you might consider: get a wooden high d. Many of them have a “recorder” like sound that is sweeter. For good value, check out David O’Briens’s Pennywhistle site. He has good value in wood. Ralph Sweet ia an option too.
