Looking for a low D

Whistling Willie · Post by **Whistling Willie** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 6:04 pm

HI all,I'm still looking for a low D,and was wondering if there was any board members from the UK or Ireland that are selling a low D,something relatively easy to play as I have never played one before.

Thank's.

vomitbunny · Post by **vomitbunny** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 6:42 pm

If you don't get any offers for anything you want, one of the members here offers a pvc "practice low D" whistle. Several people here purchased one as an intro to the low D. Although it's called a "practice" whistle, it's actually not bad, and supposidly has been improved upon recently. About 20 bucks as I remember. I'm sure Bingamon won't mind me giving you a link to it. http://jubileeinstruments.messianic-web ... owdrev.htm
I had a lot of fun with mine. I cut it to make it tunable, and then insted of using a straight coupler, I used a 45 degree angle coupler.

Whistling Willie · Post by **Whistling Willie** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 7:18 pm

Thank's Vomit bunney,I'll keep that in mind.

Miwokhill · Post by **Miwokhill** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 7:32 pm

Hi Willie, The practice whistles aren't bad but even the improved version takes alot of puffing. The Tony Dixon is more of a keeper. They have tunable ones as well but the one piece is 42 pounds inc. VAT. Maybe search this forum under --Dixon AND low-- for more feedback on these. Mike McLaughlin

Whistling Willie · Post by **Whistling Willie** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 7:53 pm

Thank's Mike,I had a look and they look ok,some good feedback on the board about them too.

happyturkeyman · Post by **happyturkeyman** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 9:42 pm

Miwokhill wrote:Hi Willie, The practice whistles aren't bad but even the improved version takes alot of puffing. The Tony Dixon is more of a keeper. They have tunable ones as well but the one piece is 42 pounds inc. VAT. Maybe search this forum under --Dixon AND low-- for more feedback on these. Mike McLaughlin

The practice whistle has been revised twice now both to reduce breath requirements. Last time was pretty recently. I don't know which one Miwokhill is referring to.

I own the first revision (2nd version) and find it fine on air requirements, but that's from a non-whistle-exclusive background.

Miwokhill · Post by **Miwokhill** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 10:05 pm

After just now comparing the Dixon low D to the Jubilee I may have to admit to slightly overstating the Jubilee's air requirements in saying "alot of puffing". It does take more though and I notice it after playing it for a tune or two. The Jubilee is a very nice whistle though especially at that price. The sound is full and the fingering is very easy. - I'd still probably tell someone to get the Dixon, but I don't think you could go far wrong with the Jubilee either, especially at $22.00 --mike

KDMARTINKY · Post by **KDMARTINKY** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 12:24 pm

I would highly recommend a fine Low D produced by Phil Hardy. The instrument has a beautiful clear tone. Smooth transfers from upper to lower registers and is built to last. The space between fingerings is a bit on the large side, but if you have medium to large hands its not a problem.

Heres his sight: http://www.kerrywhistles.com/

Phil is a great person who I bet would being to answer any questions you may have.

amar · Post by **amar** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 12:27 pm

KDMARTINKY wrote:I would highly recommend a fine Low D produced by Phil Hardy. The instrument has a beautiful clear tone. Smooth transfers from upper to lower registers and is built to last. The space between fingerings is a bit on the large side, but if you have medium to large hands its not a problem.

Heres his sight: http://www.kerrywhistles.com/

Phil is a great person who I bet would being to answer any questions you may have.

true, but not tooo good for a beginner, the whistle can clog and takes more air then the dixon. hey, the DS has got a plastic head too.....

just a thought...

DCrom · Post by **DCrom** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 12:37 pm

It's all going to boil down to taste. I have a Dixon, and it has a lot going for it - low air demands, easy fingering (you can play with the high whistle grip, if you like), and sounds nice. Quiet, too - nice for late night practice.

But since I got my Howard Low D, I almost never play the Dixon. The Howard has huge fingerholes, requires piper's grip, needs more air and better air support . . . much more challenging to play. But the tone moves me in a way that the Dixon doesn't, and with more practice I found my initial problems vanishing.

I wouldn't worry too much about initial difficulty (though I'd pick up a high whistle at the same time!) - on the great scale of things, even a low D is one of the easier intruments to play. But (if at all possible) try to get a chance to listen to the various low D's you're considering and go with the one that sounds the best to you.

lixnaw · Post by **lixnaw** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 12:41 pm

if your fingers are not too skinny, then go for a howard, 82.50 sterling and free shipping anywhere in the world!
http://www.howardmusic.co.uk/whistles_low_d.htm
have a listen here http://www.flutesite.com/howard_low_d.htm

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 1:13 pm

amar wrote:
true, but not tooo good for a beginner, the whistle can clog and takes more air then the dixon. hey, the DS has got a plastic head too.....

just a thought...

My new-style chieftain doesn't really have any clogging issues.

I'd definitely say the old-style was not for beginners..I got mine when I was a year old into the whistle, and it was easily 6 or 7 years before I felt comfortable playing anything other than slow airs on it.

I think the new style (and probably most low Ds) would still be a little challenge, but not nearly so much as the older one.

Jennie · Post by **Jennie** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 1:15 pm

I too recommend the Howard low D. I loved the sound, and I found it easy to play (not having played any low whistles before). My Howard might have to find a new home if my fingers don't start growing, though. Too big a stretch for my hands.

However, I'm definitely among the 90% who are clueless in terms of reviews. For low D whistles, I've only played a Susato and a Howard.

Jennie

vomitbunny · Post by **vomitbunny** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 1:21 pm

I'll probably be ridiculed for saying this, but I really like my Shaw low d. BUT it appears that I might have the only good one in existance...........
I reach for it befor I reach for the Kerry. The tone isn't real typical. Definitly not "cosmic drain pipe". But it's still nice, and the fingering is the most comfortable of any big whistle I own. If one was to want an easy whistle to learn piper's grip, that would be it.

Ps. A couple of bits of matchsticks totatlly fixed the breath requirement on this thing. It has a nice focused flutey tone now. Decent volume too.

CHIFF FIPPLE · Post by **CHIFF FIPPLE** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 6:06 pm

Mabe if you give Davey a ring.... he will let you have one of his to review