Does anyone here use the pipe finger posture on the whistle?

[Jetpiper]

Since I am a Uilleann and GHB padawan, I find the pipe finger posture to be quite natural feeling when playing the whistle. However, I was wondering if those of you who are more experienced might know of any drawbacks to using this technique on the whistle. As a matter of fact, I think I'll put up a poll just for fun and see how many of us use each technique.

Thanks!

[CRC]

What exactly is the bagpipe finger posture?
Later: Never Mind!

[Cynth]

Are you talking about the high whistle or the low whistle? I think a lot of people have to use the piper's grip on the low whistle, just from what I have read here, and it is fairly unusual on the high whistle. Anyway, people might think they need to know which type of whistle you are refering to. Just a thought, though.

[emmline]

Piper's grip is essential, as far as I'm concerned, once you get lower than a Bb. I learned it in order to manage a low D, and once that became comfortable I found that I prefer a modified piper's grip to fingertips even for the higher whistles.

[Congratulations]

The only whistle I use a piper's grip for is my low D. That's because it's the only low whistle I own. My hands must be bigger than Emmline's, as I don't use piper's grip for my A whistle.

[Jetpiper]

Are you talking about the high whistle or the low whistle? I think a lot of people have to use the piper's grip on the low whistle, just from what I have read here, and it is fairly unusual on the high whistle. Anyway, people might think they need to know which type of whistle you are refering to. Just a thought, though.

Thanks! Good point! I was thinking primarily of the high whistles, as my son and I were just playing John Ryan's Polka and I realized I was using the high D with the piper's grip. Something I usually only used on the low D.

Piper's grip is essential, as far as I'm concerned, once you get lower than a Bb. I learned it in order to manage a low D, and once that became comfortable I found that I prefer a modified piper's grip to fingertips even for the higher whistles.

I agree emmline. The Chieftain low D was the first whistle I tried the piper's grip on, and I have since realized I like it for the high whistles also.

So, to clarify I guess I'm talking about the high whistles where it is more of an option than a necessity like on the low whistles.

Thanks!

[Unseen122]

I don't use Piper's Grip for anything any more. Not even Pipes, but then again I play Galician Pipes where one doesn't need to use piper's grip.

[anniemcu]

I use a modified Piper's Grip on all my whistles. I think it must be how I learned waaaaay back when, and it's also how my fingers fit the holes best, low or high.

I use the tips of my left hand fingers and the second pad of my right hand fingers on most high whistles and the second pads of all on the low. Of course, when I take out the concealed weaponry... the high Gs, though, finger tips is the only way!!

[Key_of_D]

Other? How else is there? play with your toes or something?

[straycat82]

I said "other" because I don't play with my fingertips but rather the pads under the first digits of my fingers. Also, since I play with my pinkie always planted near the end of the whistle tube, my bottom hand ring finger ends up covering the D tonehole a little further up the finger, almost at the first joint (hope this makes sense).
When I first got my Generation Bb a few years ago, I used a modified pipers grip to play it but after I got my Chieftain low D, the Bb didn't seem so big. I play it with my finger pads now. When I play my A and Low G, I use my standard grip for my top hand and a pipers grip for the bottom.
I can't imagine using a pipers grip on a sop. D whistle though... seems to me that I wouldn't have the room to move my fingers around freely enough.

[Ostekjeks]

I've tried playing with the second finger pads on a high D whistle, but I didn't like it. When it comes to lower whistles, I use whatever technique that works best.

[amar]

piper's grip for lower whistles with lower hand, non-piper's grip for upper hand.

[Flogging Jason]

I have not yet accquired a low whistle so I can't offer any opinions there...and I have not yet accquired a practice chanter..although I'm familiar with pipe fingering(my dad being a veteran piper of 30+years). So yeah...just regular fingertip playing for me. I've inquired with Ralph Sweet about making a custom whistle head for my low D flute....so I'll let you know if I do find pipe fingering more comfortable for that one.

[mutepointe]

thank you very much for bringing up this subject. i am totally self-taught off the internet (that means you guys) and have never got to see anyone play a whistle up close other than those snippets of video that you guys post every once in a while. i've always wondered about this. some folks seem so determined to play with their fingertips. my hands can't do that and i have pretty normal man hands and fingers that are fairly dexterous. i use a piper's grip for a low whistle and a modified piper's grip for a soprano. one of the minor functions of my job is to fingerprint people. there is a lot of diversity in hands and fingers. i'm glad to see other folks are using this method too.

[Dale]

Depending upon the particular make of whistle:

amar's combination approach at Low A and G, I guess.

piper's grip for both hands F and lower.