I usually play the high D whistle, I recently got a Low D but the tone seems unclear, not sharp, unless I blow really hard. Can anyone tell me what i'm doing wrong please? Thanks!
It could also be that the whistle may not be particularly price-you don't mention brand.
If you are used to high whistles, it may be that you are blowing too hard or that you have not developed the breath control you need or that you have not got the pipers grip down.
Having learned the low C recorder first ( a wood instrument not unlike the low whistle) the low whistle needed low diaphragm breath- steady and controlled regardless of how hard you blew.
As far as tone though. I have a howard low D and discovered that the whistle has a limited range. 12 notes. Tends to go out high and low. Mine is adjustable but htat does not change the range.
I made a similar complaint to an experienced low whistler. his advice. "if you want to sound like a rosewood flute, buy one and learn it".
The low whistle is very unforgiving if your fingers don't cover the holes completely. I have a Howard, and the holes are very wide; going from high to low whistle is quite an adjustment.
You are right on with that. HIgh whistlers (myself included) are used to a 'margin of safety' with the fingers being tighter together.
The low whistles require more technique with the hole spacing. I've seen several players using the whistle grip instead of the pipers grip in the low whistle. It gives better pressure on the hole, but the bottom two fingers on the right hand tire very quickly.
You should also be aware, that some low whistles, especially the "low end" ones are made as if their maker wasn't fully aware of human anatomy. Lower hand requires lot of attention and sometimes even the widest pipers grip can be not enough to play a clear tone. It's a shame to say that just recently I got to play a low D by a renown maker, who made the low D hole so far away, that you would have to be a friggin' fantastic four plastic man to be able to reach it.
(I won't share the maker's name, because I am sure it has been an isolated faulty batch of whistles).
The fingering on the lower hand was difficult to get right at first but once I got used to stretching my fingers wider apart it stopped being such a problem.
I was bought an Alba tunable D as a gift...struggled for a while and found that if you adopt the pipers fingering method you have won half the battle..the Alba is eay to blow which helps alot..but basicly put your D finger middle finger joint over the hole and pivot your hand so that your F finger tip covers the F hole..put your G finger middle finger joint over the G hole and pivot untill your B finger covers the B hole....This should stop dead fingers and thumbs....give it a whizz..i have fairly small hands and find this a comfy playing position...
When I started playing the low whistle, I found it good practice to play tunes that covered a fairly full range of notes. This enables one to deifferentiate between the 'puff' needed for the lower notes and for the higher ones, and gives you the opportunity of trying to get the intonation right across the range.
The Flail (jig in G) is a fairly good tune for this. It's not to difficult, but it has a range of low d up to high b. It gives you an opportunity of practising the abovementioned things.
P.S. Overton low whistles are considered among the best in the business, and if yours is in fair enough condition, you should be in possession of a quality instrument.
I go back to what I said at the start, you are simply probably not blowing strongly enough. If it's a good whistle, you need to find the "hard" D on the bottom. It's difficult to explain exactly what that is, flute and pipe players will know what I mean. But it takes really quite a lot of puff and, of course, properly sealed holes. On both my Overtons (I have a D and a C) the bottom notes are a little flat unless you clock the "hard" one. (It's called the "hard" D not because it's difficult, once you've found it, but because it has a much harder, louder tone to it). Once you have this note mastered, the others should come easier. However, if it's a later Overton, the chances are that it may be impossible to get the hard D. I've played a few like that and they are disappointing.
Do you think then that the 'hard D' may also be impossible to find on low whistles of a lesser reputation that the Overton? I have recently bought a chieftain and feel (perhaps hope) that practice will result in my finding the sound I want from this whistle. The sound I speek of is the sound I have heard many players get from a chieftain.
I must agree that the Overton is a far superior instrument. The Howard whistle was mentioned earlier in this thread. I have one of them too, good whistle for proding cattle but thats about it.
It's difficult to tell if you have a whistle that's capable of getting the hard D. Some are easier than others and some are impossible. A really good player may be able to squeeze the note out of a poor whistle who's owner cannot. So it's difficult to tell if you are p*ssing in the wind with it.
Basically though, it's a much harder instrument to play than is often assumed by high whistle players. And even when it is played well it has serious limitations, mostly in it's lack of dynamics. If you think you can get a dynamic range out a low whistle, you are probably not playing it in tune.
If you are really serious about the thing, you could save yourself a lot of trouble and increase dramatically your range of expression and learn to play the flute instead
I think that the problem with your not getting the 'hard' D, Proinsisas Dearg, is that you yourself are not hard enough (despite your adeventures in Belfast last weekend). If a player is 'hard' enough himself, he can squeeze a 'hard' D from inferior low whistles. It is even rumoured that the 'hardest' of whistle players can squeeze a 'hard' D from an E flat whistle. I doubt that you are amongst these players.
I agree with both of these answers, however narcu I favour the answer that Michael gave. (your own performance was nothing to write home about!)
With your comments about the low whistle having limitations describe exactly how I have felt about my whistle. I had a flute for a while (till I was stuck for cash, I regret that decision to sell) and feel that I may unfairly be compairing the low whistle to the flute (unfair for the whistle).
Having said all of this I do get great enjoyment from playing the whistle. I do look forward to buying another flute some day.
I was am a little late finding this thread but would like to add this one caveat.
I had a Howard low D which I did not like very much and found difficult to play. Eventually I gave it to a non whistle player to try and soon discovered that the problem was me. So I got it back and worked until I was able to get a pretty decent tone, and then I gave it back to him. I didn't want to work THAT hard without being paid, when I could use a whistle that played easier. My 2cts.
I play a Shaw, Low A and sometimes Low G. I imagine I might one day get a low D with a conical bore but NOT for several hundred dollars, when I could just switch to my flute.
Low whistles really should be considered as different instruments to their higher bretheren.
By virtue of changing the grip, much more changes than is first suspected. Yes the same fingers are doing pretty much the same stuff, but a different muscle set is in play and needs re-training - this is much more demanding than it might seem. On top of that, each person's hand is different - not such an issue on a high D, but it makes each players low-whistle grip differ quite a bit. In my experience, it can take up to 2 weeks of applied practice and experimentation just to find a grip that works enough for the real work to begin. Keep in mind that if your grip starts-out uncomfortable, then you are likely to give yourself problems with RSI later on.
Be patient with yourself and set your goals for the longer term.
In regard to the instrument - any instrument made by either Bernard or Colin will be a good one and will sound good! Some have been set-up with specific requirements for the original owner and this may prove inapropriate for a second owner. Look inside the bottom end of the whistle and see who made it - Colin has been signing and dating his work for the last few years, Bernard did not. If there's no signature, contact both makers - they are normally happy to help.
Clarity on Low D Whistle
Clarity on Low D Whistle
I usually play the high D whistle, I recently got a Low D but the tone seems unclear, not sharp, unless I blow really hard. Can anyone tell me what i'm doing wrong please? Thanks!
# Posted on November 20th 2006 by Seabhac
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
your not blowing hard enough.
# Posted on November 20th 2006 by ...
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
It could also be that the whistle may not be particularly price-you don't mention brand.
If you are used to high whistles, it may be that you are blowing too hard or that you have not developed the breath control you need or that you have not got the pipers grip down.
Having learned the low C recorder first ( a wood instrument not unlike the low whistle) the low whistle needed low diaphragm breath- steady and controlled regardless of how hard you blew.
As far as tone though. I have a howard low D and discovered that the whistle has a limited range. 12 notes. Tends to go out high and low. Mine is adjustable but htat does not change the range.
I made a similar complaint to an experienced low whistler. his advice. "if you want to sound like a rosewood flute, buy one and learn it".
So your situation maybe more widely shared!
# Posted on November 20th 2006 by zippydw
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
first line meant "precise". not price
# Posted on November 20th 2006 by zippydw
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
Alright, thanks, i'll try and work on my breathing. I had some problems with my grip at first but I've got used to the differant grip now.
Thanks
Seabhc
# Posted on November 20th 2006 by Seabhac
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
I'm not sure of the brand, it was a gift.
# Posted on November 20th 2006 by Seabhac
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
The low whistle is very unforgiving if your fingers don't cover the holes completely. I have a Howard, and the holes are very wide; going from high to low whistle is quite an adjustment.
# Posted on November 20th 2006 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
Greg
You are right on with that. HIgh whistlers (myself included) are used to a 'margin of safety' with the fingers being tighter together.
The low whistles require more technique with the hole spacing. I've seen several players using the whistle grip instead of the pipers grip in the low whistle. It gives better pressure on the hole, but the bottom two fingers on the right hand tire very quickly.
# Posted on November 20th 2006 by zippydw
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
You should also be aware, that some low whistles, especially the "low end" ones are made as if their maker wasn't fully aware of human anatomy. Lower hand requires lot of attention and sometimes even the widest pipers grip can be not enough to play a clear tone. It's a shame to say that just recently I got to play a low D by a renown maker, who made the low D hole so far away, that you would have to be a friggin' fantastic four plastic man to be able to reach it.
(I won't share the maker's name, because I am sure it has been an isolated faulty batch of whistles).
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by kuba
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
The fingering on the lower hand was difficult to get right at first but once I got used to stretching my fingers wider apart it stopped being such a problem.
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by Seabhac
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
Covering the holes is, of course, vital. But I'm afraid no amount of breath control can make up for a substandard instrument like a Howard.
However, even on really good ones, you have to blow them just right to play them in tune.
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by ...
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
I was bought an Alba tunable D as a gift...struggled for a while and found that if you adopt the pipers fingering method you have won half the battle..the Alba is eay to blow which helps alot..but basicly put your D finger middle finger joint over the hole and pivot your hand so that your F finger tip covers the F hole..put your G finger middle finger joint over the G hole and pivot untill your B finger covers the B hole....This should stop dead fingers and thumbs....give it a whizz..i have fairly small hands and find this a comfy playing position...
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by fionarua
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
I just found out that my whistle is an Overton. Not sure whether that affects anything or not.
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by Seabhac
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
how old is it?
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by ...
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
When I started playing the low whistle, I found it good practice to play tunes that covered a fairly full range of notes. This enables one to deifferentiate between the 'puff' needed for the lower notes and for the higher ones, and gives you the opportunity of trying to get the intonation right across the range.
The Flail (jig in G) is a fairly good tune for this. It's not to difficult, but it has a range of low d up to high b. It gives you an opportunity of practising the abovementioned things.
P.S. Overton low whistles are considered among the best in the business, and if yours is in fair enough condition, you should be in possession of a quality instrument.
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by An Dearg
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
Here's the link for The Flail: http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/839
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by An Dearg
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
If it's an old one that is. Bernard Overton has not made whistles commercially for some time now.
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by ...
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
The whistle is a few years old, I haven't had it for long. I know The Flail, i'll practise it.
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by Seabhac
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
I go back to what I said at the start, you are simply probably not blowing strongly enough. If it's a good whistle, you need to find the "hard" D on the bottom. It's difficult to explain exactly what that is, flute and pipe players will know what I mean. But it takes really quite a lot of puff and, of course, properly sealed holes. On both my Overtons (I have a D and a C) the bottom notes are a little flat unless you clock the "hard" one. (It's called the "hard" D not because it's difficult, once you've found it, but because it has a much harder, louder tone to it). Once you have this note mastered, the others should come easier. However, if it's a later Overton, the chances are that it may be impossible to get the hard D. I've played a few like that and they are disappointing.
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by ...
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
Do you think then that the 'hard D' may also be impossible to find on low whistles of a lesser reputation that the Overton? I have recently bought a chieftain and feel (perhaps hope) that practice will result in my finding the sound I want from this whistle. The sound I speek of is the sound I have heard many players get from a chieftain.
I must agree that the Overton is a far superior instrument. The Howard whistle was mentioned earlier in this thread. I have one of them too, good whistle for proding cattle but thats about it.
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by proinsiasrua
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
It's difficult to tell if you have a whistle that's capable of getting the hard D. Some are easier than others and some are impossible. A really good player may be able to squeeze the note out of a poor whistle who's owner cannot. So it's difficult to tell if you are p*ssing in the wind with it.
Basically though, it's a much harder instrument to play than is often assumed by high whistle players. And even when it is played well it has serious limitations, mostly in it's lack of dynamics. If you think you can get a dynamic range out a low whistle, you are probably not playing it in tune.
If you are really serious about the thing, you could save yourself a lot of trouble and increase dramatically your range of expression and learn to play the flute instead
# Posted on November 22nd 2006 by ...
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
I think that the problem with your not getting the 'hard' D, Proinsisas Dearg, is that you yourself are not hard enough (despite your adeventures in Belfast last weekend). If a player is 'hard' enough himself, he can squeeze a 'hard' D from inferior low whistles. It is even rumoured that the 'hardest' of whistle players can squeeze a 'hard' D from an E flat whistle. I doubt that you are amongst these players.
# Posted on November 22nd 2006 by An Dearg
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
I agree with both of these answers, however narcu I favour the answer that Michael gave. (your own performance was nothing to write home about!)
With your comments about the low whistle having limitations describe exactly how I have felt about my whistle. I had a flute for a while (till I was stuck for cash, I regret that decision to sell) and feel that I may unfairly be compairing the low whistle to the flute (unfair for the whistle).
Having said all of this I do get great enjoyment from playing the whistle. I do look forward to buying another flute some day.
# Posted on November 22nd 2006 by proinsiasrua
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
I was am a little late finding this thread but would like to add this one caveat.
I had a Howard low D which I did not like very much and found difficult to play. Eventually I gave it to a non whistle player to try and soon discovered that the problem was me. So I got it back and worked until I was able to get a pretty decent tone, and then I gave it back to him. I didn't want to work THAT hard without being paid, when I could use a whistle that played easier. My 2cts.
# Posted on November 26th 2006 by wvwhistler
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
I play a Shaw, Low A and sometimes Low G. I imagine I might one day get a low D with a conical bore but NOT for several hundred dollars, when I could just switch to my flute.
# Posted on November 26th 2006 by wvwhistler
Re: Clarity on Low D Whistle
Low whistles really should be considered as different instruments to their higher bretheren.
By virtue of changing the grip, much more changes than is first suspected. Yes the same fingers are doing pretty much the same stuff, but a different muscle set is in play and needs re-training - this is much more demanding than it might seem. On top of that, each person's hand is different - not such an issue on a high D, but it makes each players low-whistle grip differ quite a bit. In my experience, it can take up to 2 weeks of applied practice and experimentation just to find a grip that works enough for the real work to begin. Keep in mind that if your grip starts-out uncomfortable, then you are likely to give yourself problems with RSI later on.
Be patient with yourself and set your goals for the longer term.
In regard to the instrument - any instrument made by either Bernard or Colin will be a good one and will sound good! Some have been set-up with specific requirements for the original owner and this may prove inapropriate for a second owner. Look inside the bottom end of the whistle and see who made it - Colin has been signing and dating his work for the last few years, Bernard did not. If there's no signature, contact both makers - they are normally happy to help.
Hope this helps
# Posted on November 27th 2006 by Mozle