low D recommendations

dahlilama · Post by **dahlilama** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 7:25 pm

I am an uilleann piper and play the penny whistle as well to an intermediate, but am interested in purchasing a Low D whistle. I know that there are may opinions out there, but I am interested in a low whistle that has a breathy flute-like sound but is still ornaments well. It appears from many of the posts that these two features of low whistles are mutually exclusive to some degree, but perhaps not. Any ideas from those with experience in these matters? Thanks.

TheSpoonMan · Post by **TheSpoonMan** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 8:13 pm

My goodness, never knew we had such prominent people among us!

dyersituations · Post by **dyersituations** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 10:34 am

Out of the low Ds I've played (Chieftain, Old Burke, Kerry with black head, Syn, Songbird), the Kerry Songbird low D has the most flute-like tone. I like this low D, and if I was in the market, I'd buy one. People said they had clogging problems with the Songbird, but I didn't and I played it with one band I was in during rehearsal. The band enjoyed the whistle, but the Songbird was on tour. I've also heard that Copelands have flute-like tones, but they are more expensive than the Songbird, which is reasonable.

-Casey

dahlilama · Post by **dahlilama** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:57 pm

Thanks Casey for your reply. I will look into this whistle.

Erik

TonyHiggins · Post by **TonyHiggins** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 5:01 pm

From my own experiences, The Copeland is probably the most flute-like in sound but is terribly expensive. The other I thought was great was a Reyburn standard bore low d. Great sound and easy to play. I have a Chieftain low d that takes a lot of work to play. In other words, a lot of practice to get control of. It's not what I'd think of as flute sounding, either. Haven't tried a Songbird.
Tony

brewerpaul · Post by **brewerpaul** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 5:37 pm

Check out the Sweet Resonance low Ds. Mine has a really flute like sound and ornaments nice and crisply . Looks beautiful too.

shadoe42 · Post by **shadoe42** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 9:59 pm

As always I would put in my vote for the Reyburn.

anniemcu · Post by **anniemcu** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 4:54 pm

Howards have a nice flutey tone.

m31 · Post by **m31** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 8:24 pm

dahlilama wrote:...I am interested in a low whistle that has a breathy flute-like sound but is still ornaments well. It appears from many of the posts that these two features of low whistles are mutually exclusive to some degree, but perhaps not...

Sorry to disagree but IMHO no low D whistle really sounds like an Irish flute. Perhaps not so for the listener and where a lot of reverb is involved, but from player's perspective, they're fairly (not vastly) dissimilar. I like to think of the low whistle as its own instrument.

Breathiness and ornaments can coexist. My Chieftain F is on the breathy side and the ornaments are snappy to my ears.

scheky · Post by **scheky** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 9:07 pm

m31 wrote:
dahlilama wrote:...I am interested in a low whistle that has a breathy flute-like sound but is still ornaments well. It appears from many of the posts that these two features of low whistles are mutually exclusive to some degree, but perhaps not...
Sorry to disagree but IMHO no low D whistle really sounds like an Irish flute. Perhaps not so for the listener and where a lot of reverb is involved, but from player's perspective, they're fairly (not vastly) dissimilar. I like to think of the low whistle as its own instrument.

Breathiness and ornaments can coexist. My Chieftain F is on the breathy side and the ornaments are snappy to my ears.

Nobody is really stating that a low whistle sounds like a flute, it was just mentioned that the Copeland is the most similar to a flute in sound. In fact, to the non-musician, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference.

Personally, I'll back the Copeland Low D as the ultimate low whistle. The price tag, though, reflects this. Still, I'm a happy owner.

RonKiley · Post by **RonKiley** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 9:36 am

For an inexpensive low D with a great flute sound I vote for a Casey Burns Folk Flute.

Ron

King Friday · Post by **King Friday** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 9:49 am

Inexpensive? Maybe for a flute...

SRHill · Post by **SRHill** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 10:26 am

Hi,

I play the uilleanns too and play a Jon Swayne Low D whistle. It's not as breathy as a Copeland but has more back pressure which I like. Moreover, it doesn't have the clogging issues as with a Overton. The downside is it's even more expensive than a Copeland and it takes a long time to make.

Cheers!

Steve

Congratulations · Post by **Congratulations** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 10:47 am

I'm with Mr. Kiley: get a flute. That's what I did, and I don't even own a low whistle, anymore.

Still, I back the Reyburn as the only low D I've ever even liked.

swizzlestick · Post by **swizzlestick** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 5:22 pm

brewerpaul wrote:Check out the Sweet Resonance low Ds. Mine has a really flute like sound and ornaments nice and crisply . Looks beautiful too.

I would like to, but the Sweet tour seems to be on hold.

Oh well, would not have had the money before the holidays anyway. Maybe it's best not to have the temptation.

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