Secret to that Haunting Low D Sound?

nodak · Post by **nodak** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:12 pm

OK, here I sit with an Overton Low D and Burke Viper, ready to blurt out that revered haunting sound. The instruments do not produce it by themselves, I've noticed. What's the secret or method to producing that haunting tone? No fair pointing out that I'm a newbie.

raindog1970 · Post by **raindog1970** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:24 pm

Reverb and/or echo is probably what you're looking for.
I add it to my recordings with editing software, but it could also be done live with the proper equipment.

dfernandez77 · Post by **dfernandez77** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:13 pm

Part of that sound is processing, and part of it can be your environment. If you play in a large and reflective room, that may help.

Burke Viper is like a brassy french horn. Nice Whistle and an easy player for a Low D - but not a haunting whistle.

The Overton will get you closer. But you need to put some time into learning how to use your breath, Try leaning into the backpressure and backing off, bending the note. Play some long sustained notes bending it up and down in tone. Try to get expression into the note with just your breath.

Or, buy a Reyburn.

Roger O'Keeffe · Post by **Roger O'Keeffe** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 3:08 am

Yes, I had a feeling that my current favourite topic backpressure

would show up in this thread.

chas · Post by **chas** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 5:57 am

dfernandez77 wrote:Part of that sound is processing, and part of it can be your environment. If you play in a large and reflective room, that may help.

You might want to play them in the bathroom. I found that ideal for my Copeland low-D.

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 6:22 am

nodak wrote:OK, here I sit with an Overton Low D and Burke Viper, ready to blurt out that revered haunting sound. The instruments do not produce it by themselves, I've noticed. What's the secret or method to producing that haunting tone?

Ah yes, well, you do have to put the beak into your mouth and blow......

Loren

IDAwHOa · Post by **IDAwHOa** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:51 am

nodak wrote:OK, here I sit with an Overton Low D ...., ready to blurt out that revered haunting sound. The instruments do not produce it

Well, yours must be broken.....

No, really, mine has a nice, mello sound. Maybe not as reverbed as on some recordings, but I like the way it contrasts the higher whistles, even as close as low f.

Tony McGinley · Post by **Tony McGinley** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:59 am

Reverb is the extra ingredient indeed!
Most small mixers these days have a
built-in reverb, Behringer, Mackie etc.

A lovely place to play at home is in the kitchen,
because there are so many hard reflective
surfaces.

Best place of all is in an empty church, lovely
long reverb and rich acoustic.

swizzlestick · Post by **swizzlestick** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 10:25 am

I like to use stairwells at hotels when traveling. I get some practice time in without disturbing anyone (usually) and the reverb tends to sound good to people if some of the sound does leak out.

A-Musing · Post by **A-Musing** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 1:33 pm

NODAK...
Many great suggestions here.
In addition to the externals, like electronic reverb gear and echo-chamber environments...there is a lot you can work on with just you and the whistle. Breath modulation is a big part of it...and can go in many directions. Pushing it and backing off, as well as varying "vibrato" effects...(from tightly-woven to wide wale Barry Gibb to old-school finger waving.)
Another area to play with is the gradual covering and uncovering of the holes. "Bending." Both ascending and descending. Try these slowly...and with varying breathing. Listen to what top low whistlers are doing with these techniques. HAUNTING!!!
Keep at it. Get yourself in the "mood." It's a kick to catch on to this stuff! The Viper isn't as "naturally cosmically haunting" as the Overton...but with practice it can make very beautiful melody.

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 5:40 pm

Second using finger vibrato; also bending notes
and diminishing breath as notes end. Also
slides.

riverman · Post by **riverman** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 8:27 pm

Second floor of a three-level parking garage.

markbell · Post by **markbell** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:46 am

I play a Chieftain low D (old style). It has a very warm tone, and lots of expressive range, but when I first got it, it took me a while to learn how to make the whistle as emotive as I wanted.

Blessings,

Mark

phoebe · Post by **phoebe** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:14 pm

The main room of our camp in Canada--two stories of tongue-and groove walls, a hard wood floor, and big window. It sounds lovely.

StewySmoot · Post by **StewySmoot** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:40 pm

The Kerry Songbird is the only whistle I have found, so far, to have warmth and moodiness built into the whistle. Great for airs. Not as versatile as the Chieftains or Kerry Pros for faster songs or tunes.

Practice slides and dont overblow for volume. Practice sneaking up on notes.

Chiff and Fipple Forums

Secret to that Haunting Low D Sound?

Secret to that Haunting Low D Sound?

Re: Secret to that Haunting Low D Sound?

Re: Secret to that Haunting Low D Sound?