Having bought a very nice Chieftain Low D, I have converted to using piper's grip. Initially for just the 'lower' (right) hand.
This has helped me a lot in getting comfortable with this nice whistle.
I thought it might be worth going over the detail of how I managed to make the grip work for me. It may possibly help others who are starting out trying piper's grip, or it may turn out to be a very personal approach. See what you think...
I found that , having adopted the 'straight finger' hold enabled by piper's grip, I had to try a number of different detailed holds to make a good seal on each hole. I get the impression that this is likely to be different for each different whistle, and it's worth spending a little time to get a comfortable hold.
After some experimentation, I put the *first* pad of my ring finger on the lowest hole. Then, keeping that finger in place on the lowest hole, I manouevred my hand/fingers around that fixed point until I managed to line up the second pads of my middle and index fingers comfortably placed on the next two holes.
I'll admit that I was pretty skeptical that I would be able to master piper's grip, but I have found it very comfortable. I've also found that it it also surprisingly 'fast' to play that way.
I carried on using 'normal' grip on my left hand for some time, until I realised that I wasn't forming a very good seal with my ring finger - so I've switched that hand too.
I would be very interested to hear from others about how they find using piper's grip - and whether they have any recommendations for how people should get started.
The technique I have described is obviously a personal one - I have no idea if it will be of help to anyon else.
I only read the first bit of your post! Sorry, I just have to critisize. Only the lower hand? You should also definately piper's grip with the top. Firstoff, you'll get better speed, and second, you can half-hole the top note (to play in G) with a million times the ease and accuracy. Literally. 1,000,000 times the ease. Personally, I prefer piper's grip on any whistle I can (up to a normal D), but that's just me.
Thanks for the comment sifudave54; I am here to learn...
Following your advice... I have been playing piper's grip with my upper hand for the last week and am beginning to get comfortable with it. I'd be interested to know; do you use second finger pad all the way down - both hands? I am currently using first pad on the lowest finger of each hand - second pad on all the others.
How to get a good piper's grip?
How to get a good piper's grip?
Having bought a very nice Chieftain Low D, I have converted to using piper's grip. Initially for just the 'lower' (right) hand.
This has helped me a lot in getting comfortable with this nice whistle.
I thought it might be worth going over the detail of how I managed to make the grip work for me. It may possibly help others who are starting out trying piper's grip, or it may turn out to be a very personal approach. See what you think...
I found that , having adopted the 'straight finger' hold enabled by piper's grip, I had to try a number of different detailed holds to make a good seal on each hole. I get the impression that this is likely to be different for each different whistle, and it's worth spending a little time to get a comfortable hold.
After some experimentation, I put the *first* pad of my ring finger on the lowest hole. Then, keeping that finger in place on the lowest hole, I manouevred my hand/fingers around that fixed point until I managed to line up the second pads of my middle and index fingers comfortably placed on the next two holes.
I'll admit that I was pretty skeptical that I would be able to master piper's grip, but I have found it very comfortable. I've also found that it it also surprisingly 'fast' to play that way.
I carried on using 'normal' grip on my left hand for some time, until I realised that I wasn't forming a very good seal with my ring finger - so I've switched that hand too.
I would be very interested to hear from others about how they find using piper's grip - and whether they have any recommendations for how people should get started.
The technique I have described is obviously a personal one - I have no idea if it will be of help to anyon else.
# Posted on December 22nd 2004 by robphippen
Re: How to get a good piper's grip?
Piper's Grip - sounds like a plumber's tool.
# Posted on December 22nd 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: How to get a good piper's grip?
Shake hands with lots of pipers?
Trevor
# Posted on December 23rd 2004 by Trevor Jennings
Re: How to get a good piper's grip?
I only read the first bit of your post! Sorry, I just have to critisize. Only the lower hand? You should also definately piper's grip with the top. Firstoff, you'll get better speed, and second, you can half-hole the top note (to play in G) with a million times the ease and accuracy. Literally. 1,000,000 times the ease. Personally, I prefer piper's grip on any whistle I can (up to a normal D), but that's just me.
# Posted on December 24th 2004 by sifudave54
Re: How to get a good piper's grip?
Thanks for the comment sifudave54; I am here to learn...
Following your advice... I have been playing piper's grip with my upper hand for the last week and am beginning to get comfortable with it. I'd be interested to know; do you use second finger pad all the way down - both hands? I am currently using first pad on the lowest finger of each hand - second pad on all the others.
# Posted on December 27th 2004 by robphippen