Good low whistle for small hands?

Soineanta · Post by **Soineanta** » Sun Sep 29, 2002 6:16 pm

I've been dying to purchase a low whistle, but from all I've read and seen it appears most of them are very hard to handle for small folks such as I. My hands are, seriously, probably the size of an eight-year-old's. Does anyone know of any low whistles with LESS than a gigantic hole-span? Thanks.

carrie · Post by **carrie** » Sun Sep 29, 2002 6:19 pm

Burke makes an EZ model that has slightly smaller holes spaced slightly less far apart than on his other low whistles. My 9 yr old son can play it--he could even play it when he was 8!

The piper's grip will also help you cover the holes effectively.

You might also, of course, consider a key higher than a low D. F or G might be much easier for you and still give you that low whistle sound and feel.

Carol

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: cskinner on 2002-09-29 20:20 ]</font>

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Sun Sep 29, 2002 6:33 pm

I've measured: The Dixon and Goldie Overton have significantly shorter reaches than the Burke EZ Reach and other Low D's.

Still, for someone who has really small hands I agree with Carol - maybe Low G or F would be best.

Loren

Chuck_Clark · Post by **Chuck_Clark** » Sun Sep 29, 2002 7:55 pm

I have small hands and the Overton Low D (Goldie) is playable with a piper's grip

Caoimhin · Post by **Caoimhin** » Mon Sep 30, 2002 2:05 am

A few weeks ago I would have said go for a Dixon Low D - it's perfect for beginners.

But now, after going through certain experiences, as in the Dixon's lack of the tone I want (it's just me), from now on I would recommend for those who are able to , to go for ann Overton. Or something else just as easy.

But then again, the Dixon's soooo cheap. Easy access to one. Compared to an Overton.
Your choice. There's so many.

Just, DON'T touch a Copeland. Your wallet will cry.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Caoimhin on 2002-09-30 05:38 ]</font>

Zubivka · Post by **Zubivka** » Mon Sep 30, 2002 3:55 am

From my humble beginner's point of view, Alba's standard Low D would be nice: limited spacing, smaller-than-average holes. No real wonder knowing a lass designed it ? Also, its bottom end--c'mon I mean that of the whistle--is strong and clean. No wonder with an ear tuned to Lafranconis ? And it may be--yes--breathy, but without any buzz, kinda "breath + flute" sound, with the wind sound remaining contant, drone-like across both octaves. I like it.

Now, the best choice may be a Colin Goldie's Overton Low D. If you contact him directly, he'll take in account all your wishes and needs, for ease of use as well as tone. Do it fast for 2 reasons : 1) there's a waiting list ; 2) soon or late, the lovely chap will realize he's wasting his talent by selling custom-tailored instruments, at run-of-the-mill stamp-out prices !

Zubivka · Post by **Zubivka** » Mon Sep 30, 2002 4:05 am

Er, what's Siesta Key ? Sorta modal salsa ?

sweetone · Post by **sweetone** » Mon Sep 30, 2002 4:32 pm

I think a Howard low D might suite your small hands

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Mon Sep 30, 2002 5:24 pm

On 2002-09-30 18:32, sweetone wrote:
I think a Howard low D might suite your small hands

You have got to be kidding! The holes on a Howard are quite large..... Nice sounding whistle, but for someone with tiny hands? I don't think so.

Loren

sweetone · Post by **sweetone** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 4:38 am

that's right loren, the wholes are large, but not as wide as f.e. overton, which can't be played with small hands

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 4:44 am

I haven't played one yet, but it sounds to me like the best choice for someone with a reach problem would be the new Reyburn whistle with the offset holes, making them easier to reach.

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 6:34 am

On 2002-10-01 06:38, sweetone wrote:
that's right loren, the wholes are large, but not as wide as f.e. overton, which can't be played with small hands

Sweetone,

If you're saying that the hole spacing is longer on the Overton, then you must have played/owned an Older Bernard Overton made whistle. I say this because having measured both the Howard and a Goldie Overton Low D, I can assure you that the holes on the Howard are NOT closer together than they are on the Overton.

In fact, my first 2 Low D whistles were the Howard and Overton. I have small hands and I had a VERY difficult time sealing the Howard's large holes and making the finger stretch, however as soon as I got the Overton a month or two later, I was immediately able to play it, no problem.

I believe Bernard now also makes Low D's with a finger spacing similar to what Colin has been using.

Still, I won't argue that the Howard is a good whistle for the money, and if one has thick/wide fingers, it's certainly a choice worth considering.

Loren

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 6:46 am

On 2002-10-01 06:44, blackhawk wrote:
I haven't played one yet, but it sounds to me like the best choice for someone with a reach problem would be the new Reyburn whistle with the offset holes, making them easier to reach.

Blackhawk,

Unless Ronaldo has made a change to the hole size/spacing since I tried his Low D whistles, I would say they are one of the more difficult Low D's to play, reach wise. I tried both the inline and offset pattern D's and found the stretch to be uncomfortably long on both - a longer reach than "average" to be sure.

There are only a few Low D's I've really had to struggle with, in regards to making the reach and covering the holes, the Reyburn is one of them. Now, to be fair, some people don't mind using their Pinky instead of the ring finger(s) when playing, and for those people, the Reyburn should work out just fine. Personally, since I don't play flute, high whistles, or my other low whistles with my little fingers, I wouldn't change my habits just so I could play a Reyburn Low D, and without making that change, I found the Reyburn stretch, offset holes or no, to be a bear.

Loren

avanutria · Post by **avanutria** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 8:00 am

On 2002-09-30 04:05, Caoimhin wrote:
Just, DON'T touch a Copeland. Your wallet will cry.

*nods vigorously*

skywatcher · Post by **skywatcher** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 8:42 am

I agree with Loren. I have very small hands and have tried several low Ds and have found that my recent Goldie Overton is the easiest of the few that I've tried. Even though it's the easiest reach, it still is quite a reach for me. I can just play it with piper fingering. It is probably the absloute lowest whistle that I could play. If needing to play in the key of D isn't an issue, get a low G or low F whistle, as someone else suggested. These still have that incredible sound, but are much easier to play. In fact, an Overton in one of these keys would be a great idea!