Which Whistles Have Large Tone Holes?
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Which Whistles Have Large Tone Holes?
In another thread Here, the technique of half-holing for accidentals is being discussed again. I find myself using half-holing more and more, particularly on a C whistle to play chromatically for non-ITM music. And I find myself now using it mostly for C-nat on a D whistle. It is turning out not to be too hard to do, particularly on slower pieces.
Now to the question: It is my understanding that half-holing is easier on whistles with larger tone holes. This intuitively makes sense, but everything that I own has about the same sized holes so I can't make any meaningful comparisons. Finally the question: Which makes of whistles, in soprano D or C, have the largest holes? I have searched a bit, but I can't seem to find anything revelant. The only remark that I can recall reading is that Paul Busman's wooden whistles have holes that are larger than normal. Observations, anyone?
Now to the question: It is my understanding that half-holing is easier on whistles with larger tone holes. This intuitively makes sense, but everything that I own has about the same sized holes so I can't make any meaningful comparisons. Finally the question: Which makes of whistles, in soprano D or C, have the largest holes? I have searched a bit, but I can't seem to find anything revelant. The only remark that I can recall reading is that Paul Busman's wooden whistles have holes that are larger than normal. Observations, anyone?
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- chas
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Water Weasels have among the largest holes, they play great, too.
Charlie
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- peeplj
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My D whistles with large tone holes:
Cronnolly
Serpent
old-style Sweet
Sustato (original, not VSB)
Syn
All of these whistles are very chromatic and respond well to cross-fingering, as well, and all have large bores (in addition to the large bore that plays them).
--James
Cronnolly
Serpent
old-style Sweet
Sustato (original, not VSB)
Syn
All of these whistles are very chromatic and respond well to cross-fingering, as well, and all have large bores (in addition to the large bore that plays them).
--James
http://www.flutesite.com
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"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending" --Carl Bard
i'd say my new sweetheart professional has by far the largest holes of any whistle i've seen--including other sweethearts. i find it extremely easy to half hole. i used to mostly do f natural, and i'd just shove my finger forward and tilt it up. with the new sweetheart i do a whole range of half holes: Eb, Fnat, G# (which i also do as xxoxxx) Bb, Cnat depending on circumstances. i find that on the big holes (like for Eb) it's very easy to 'retract' my finger for the half hole on the sweetheart.
elendil
- Walden
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The two Susatos that I have (both of which are low whistles) are about the biggest toneholes I've seen, and they also have about the fullest volume.peeplj wrote: Sustato (original, not VSB)
The Susato recorders, I suppose are a good chromatic alternative to whistles. The closest thing to the "whistle with recorder holes."All of these whistles are very chromatic and respond well to cross-fingering, as well,
You might be a large bore, but I alas, fear that I might be apprised a large boor. Either way, it beats being called a large boar.and all have large bores (in addition to the large bore that plays them).
Reasonable person
Walden
Walden
- Daniel_Bingamon
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- Daniel_Bingamon
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With keys or without keys?
What I call a Low-Low-A is the lowest whistle playable without keys.
Technically, the bore could folded and bent to bring toneholes within reach. Anything is possible - question is whether it is practical.
Whistles could effectively be playable just as low as the lowest Recorders are made (2 octaves below Low-C! - the bore is more like a telephone pole). However, traditional folk music is not written for whistles down in that range. I like low whistles and lower and lower, etc.
Much definition is yet needed for low-low whistles.
What I call a Low-Low-A is the lowest whistle playable without keys.
Technically, the bore could folded and bent to bring toneholes within reach. Anything is possible - question is whether it is practical.
Whistles could effectively be playable just as low as the lowest Recorders are made (2 octaves below Low-C! - the bore is more like a telephone pole). However, traditional folk music is not written for whistles down in that range. I like low whistles and lower and lower, etc.
Much definition is yet needed for low-low whistles.
- Paul
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Well, when you get LOW LOW you need keys. That's a given. And while you're at it it might as well be chromatic. Question is, though, how low can you go before the whistle is impossible to blow? 3 octaves below Soprano D? 4? 5? 2"+ diameter holes? Telephone Pole bore?
Just wondering...
Anything's possible!
-Paul
Just wondering...
Anything's possible!
-Paul