2nd D, cover the top hole or not?
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2nd D, cover the top hole or not?
I've been learning the whistle from a book, in wich it says you are meant to leave the top hole open when playing the second D on an ordinary D-whistle.
Though, I've been watching some instructionvideos at www.kerrywhistles.com and noticed that Phil does not leave the top hole open when playing the second D at his Low D-whistle (6 holes closed at the first and the second D, but at the third he leaves the top hole open).
I understand this is something that depends on taste, and what sound the player likes, but is one of these alternatives to prefere in front of the other?
Maby its a bit more tricky to always leave the top hole open, but thats how I have been playing now for 2-3 months, and it feels kind of awkward to change that. Though, I dont want to make anything into some sort of a bad habbit.
Though, I've been watching some instructionvideos at www.kerrywhistles.com and noticed that Phil does not leave the top hole open when playing the second D at his Low D-whistle (6 holes closed at the first and the second D, but at the third he leaves the top hole open).
I understand this is something that depends on taste, and what sound the player likes, but is one of these alternatives to prefere in front of the other?
Maby its a bit more tricky to always leave the top hole open, but thats how I have been playing now for 2-3 months, and it feels kind of awkward to change that. Though, I dont want to make anything into some sort of a bad habbit.
Jonas. Färjestaden. Sweden.
- colomon
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Re: 2nd D, cover the top hole or not?
Don't change! The way you are playing is a good habit that some people don't have, because some whistles let you get away with having the finger down.Swedish-Banjo wrote:Maby its a bit more tricky to always leave the top hole open, but thats how I have been playing now for 2-3 months, and it feels kind of awkward to change that. Though, I dont want to make anything into some sort of a bad habbit.
Sol's Tunes (new tune 2/2020)
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- straycat82
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Re: 2nd D, cover the top hole or not?
Ditto.colomon wrote:Don't change! The way you are playing is a good habit that some people don't have, because some whistles let you get away with having the finger down.Swedish-Banjo wrote:Maby its a bit more tricky to always leave the top hole open, but thats how I have been playing now for 2-3 months, and it feels kind of awkward to change that. Though, I dont want to make anything into some sort of a bad habbit.
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- ronya
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For me it depends on what notes are before and after the high D. Sometimes it's more convenient for me to close all 6 holes, for example when after a high D goes a high E - all I have to do is lift up one finger instead of lifting up one and putting down the other - it confused me when I tried doing it
Or, say, high D goes after C#. I usually close the last 3 holes for C# cause I need to hold my whistle somehow, and then I close 2 more, leaving the first one open...
I'm a total newbie, and I really don't hear the difference in tone and don't find it harder to blow high D with all holes closed so I just let it happen how my fingers want it to
Or, say, high D goes after C#. I usually close the last 3 holes for C# cause I need to hold my whistle somehow, and then I close 2 more, leaving the first one open...
I'm a total newbie, and I really don't hear the difference in tone and don't find it harder to blow high D with all holes closed so I just let it happen how my fingers want it to
- Wormdiet
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I actually like the sound better on a whistle with the top hole covered, but it's gotten me into trouble on a flute. A friend of mine has a Murray and it's very difficult to hit either top or bottom D without bouncing into a harmonic or going "fuzzy." Venting the middle d helps a lot.
OOOXXO
Doing it backwards since 2005.
Doing it backwards since 2005.
- anniemcu
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Usually, I seem to play it uncovered, and it does make for a more stable, non-screechy note, but if going through it in a quick series of notes, I play it finger down.
anniemcu
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- Black Mage
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I like to leave the top hole open, myself. I think it gives the note a purer sound. I find that if you cover all the holes I get a breathier sound. But maybe you want that. I just tend to lean towards a pure tone.
"Playing the whistle is nothing impressive. All one has to do is cover the right holes at the right time, and the instrument plays itself."