Low F, G, A questions

[HowardW]

A few years ago I wanted to get a low whistle. I knew a low D wouldn’t work with my fingers and so got an MK Pro low F, which I liked a lot. However, after a while, I couldn’t play very long before the arthritis in my right hand started hurting from my fingers stretching and I ended up selling the MK.

I would like to get another low whistle. The lowest whistles I have now are Bb’s. Do low A or G whistles have that “low sound” that the F had?
I know Carbony makes a close spacing low F, but it’s pretty pricey. Does anyone have one? Is the hole spacing equivalent to a “standard” A or G whistle?

[AngelicBeaver]

Hi Howard!

First off, were you using the piper's grip when you were playing the low F? I don't want to assume, because a piper's grip can make all the difference between stretching and struggling to cover the holes and being able to have a very relaxed, 'fingers draped over the holes' style grip.

If you were using a piper's grip, and you were still struggling with the stretch (some people do), then the Carbony close-grip models are a good option. I've heard that the low D close grip option has the same spacing as a typical mezzo/alto G whistle, so that might actually put a low D within reach for you. I didn't realize he had a low F close grip option, but it sounds like the close grip might give you the same spacing range as a Bb. If you reach out to the maker (Rob Gandara), he could probably give you the exact dimensions for both and you could draw them on a broom handle to see how each one feels. He has phenomenal customer service, in my experience, so if you have any issues with one of his instruments, he'll make it right.

As far as what has the same 'low sound' as a low F, that's pretty subjective and depends on the design of the instrument. For me (putting aside the main thing that makes a whistle low or high), whistles can 'feel low' by having a big, full, mellow sound, which largely comes down to bore size. Assuming the maker balances everything well, a larger bore tends to result in a big, round, mellow sound, and allow you to lean into the whistle without it breaking, while small bore whistles produce small, sweet, birdlike tones, and need to be blown more delicately.

My favorite alto A is probably a Carbony with an older head design. Wonderful low notes with texture and bite to the tone. The Chieftain Busker A is another one to look at. Great price, and very mellow.

At alto G, I like my Dante. I've seen them recently at the Irish Flute Store, so they might be getting periodic shipments from the maker. Goldfinch makes a really excellent cPVC alto G at a good price. I don't know if they have it on their website, but you can reach out to them about it. I'd mention you have issues with your hands, and they might be able to cheat the stretch on the last note to make it easier for you. Also, Tony Dixon makes a lovely little aluminum alto G with a plastic head. It's a bit touchy on the breath requirements, but it has a unique, 'ceramic' tone when you get it right, and the stretch is a bit easier than other alto G's I've played. The Dante is just a bit fuller, so I usually go with that one.

Hope that helps!

[RoberTunes]

From all the player reviews I've ever seen of whistle models in different keys, if you seek the richer tone of the alto and lower whistles,
certainly the G will be far more similar to the F than higher keys. Typically the A will also have a richer tone, but you should
check that out model by model. A is only two semitones lower than B, so depending on bore sizes used and other factors, the A
is possibly on the fence. Some B whistles seem to be more of an extension of the C and high D whistles, so if the A uses a bore size
of the B whistle, you're maybe out of luck. So check first.

[david_h]

It doesn't really answer the question but the Dixon A has similar hole spacing to a Generation Bb but a wider bore.

Edit to add: Bottom hand spacing is almost exactly the same, top hand maybe a couple of mm longer. But the holes are smaller on the A. ID of the A about 16.5mm as opposed to about 15mm on the Bb

[pancelticpiper]

Do low A or G whistles have that “low sound” that the F had?

I suppose it might be too obvious to state, but as you go through all the sizes from High D to Low D the timbre gradually changes.

It's not a case of being able to draw a line somewhere, say between mezzo G and mezzo F, with all the whistles on one side of the divide having a "high whistle sound" and all the whistles on the other side of the divide having a "low whistle sound".

And the timbre keeps changing as you go from Low D to Low C to Bass B to Bass B-flat to Bass A and Bass G.

Here you can hear a number of sizes from High to Bass. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-fQhvleWq8

(I receive no income from YouTube.)