Chiff and Fipple Forums

Ive been a busking musician for many years on the guitar, but would like to try busking with my low whistle. I have a 'fidgin fain' plastic low d whistle, which has a lovely sound, but even the slightest of breezes interferes with the sound, meaning busking with it is out the question. Is it worthwhile me purchading a Cheiftain whistle, or would i encounter the same problem?

You'll do well to find any low whistle (or indeed high whistle or recorder) that isn't susceptible to the wind when playing outdoors; I've not actually tried a Chieftain outdoors but can't see why their windway design would be any less prone to the wind.

Flutes do slightly better, and piccolos better still (because of the concentrated jet of air) but they're still not immune. I play piccolo for my Morris side and have not been shy about positioning the band in a more favourable position when playing in windy conditions - you'll similarly get far better results by changing your orientation so the wind is behind you, than you will by changing your low whistle ... (but if you're looking for an excuse to justify upgrading your low whistle, I guess this is as good a one as any!)

Well that serves me right for making a definitive statement!

I've since learnt (via a low A review on the CutiePie YouTube channel) that some Carbony whistles are built with 'boxing' round the windway, designed to help you to play outdoors.

I couldn't immediately find on the Carbony website how to specify the 'boxing' option, but start at https://carbony.com/product-category/whistles/

You might try this option:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixckTW21e4I
The ´Tidy Cat Set!´


Bob

My guess is that you'll probably have a similar issue with a Chieftain whistle, if as you say, there's any wind in the air at all. Copeland whistles also have a similar 'boxing' around the window but of course, Copelands aren't easy to come by these days (not to mention are quite pricey). One thing you could try, if your whistle is tunable: rotate the head upside down, so the window is facing downward. It's a bit awkward to play that way, but might work.

Yes trying to play whistle, especially Low Whistle, in the wind is brutal.

As I recall there have been threads here talking about people making can-like things that go around the whistle which allow them to work in the wind.

If you're using a compact pickup you could have the window area completely enclosed, I would think.

stiofan wrote: ↑Thu Dec 01, 2022 2:10 am My guess is that you'll probably have a similar issue with a Chieftain whistle, if as you say, there's any wind in the air at all. Copeland whistles also have a similar 'boxing' around the window but of course, Copelands aren't easy to come by these days (not to mention are quite pricey). One thing you could try, if your whistle is tunable: rotate the head upside down, so the window is facing downward. It's a bit awkward to play that way, but might work.

Heh heh, a little bit skeptical because of that last sentence, I just tried reversing the heads on two whistles - an old Generation C and a new Killarney treble D. Both are fine in the mouth. Now all I need is some wind to test it with....

A friend and myself were playing down at the Bateman's Bay water front last week, and the sea-breeze came up pretty strongly. We were able to find a seat with our backs to the wind, and I had no trouble playing flute or whistle. Then my phone rang, and I stood up to get it out of my pocket and fumble with the Answer button. Standing up, the breeze was so strong I could hardly hear the caller. So, back to the wind and a low profile help, but that might not always be possible in a good busking location.

Terry McGee wrote: ↑Thu Dec 01, 2022 5:29 pm Heh heh, a little bit skeptical because of that last sentence, I just tried reversing the heads on two whistles - an old Generation C and a new Killarney treble D. Both are fine in the mouth. Now all I need is some wind to test it with....

A friend and myself were playing down at the Bateman's Bay water front last week, and the sea-breeze came up pretty strongly. We were able to find a seat with our backs to the wind, and I had no trouble playing flute or whistle. Then my phone rang, and I stood up to get it out of my pocket and fumble with the Answer button. Standing up, the breeze was so strong I could hardly hear the caller. So, back to the wind and a low profile help, but that might not always be possible in a good busking location.

Well, there's nothing quite like a field experiment to test the theory! Actually, I've "tested" it myself now and then, but as you discovered, there's an altitude factor to account for, even if it's just the distance between sitting and standing.

Thanks for all the advice folks! I'll wait till the weather warms up a bit and try turning the head upside down as suggested!

A possible suggestion is a low D from S.B.Z.E - the Japanese pipemaker Ken Matsusaka's website. It has a shroud round the windway and tunes like a Burke (sounds good as well).

David

Not a definitive answer at all, but I’ve collected quite a few Low Ds over the years (as in tried to pretend the issue was the whistle not me!):

- Tony dixon abs
- Tony dixon 3 part Delrin (the brass ring + cork joints flute/low d comb one)
- Kerry Optima (Chieftain)
- Chieftain v5
- Susato Kildare
- Shearwater
- Colin Goldie medium/hard blower

It still cuts out in wind, but for some reason, the Kerry Optima (I think the cheapest) is significantly the best (for me) when playing in windy conditions (I use it when playing for Morris groups now)