Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
I've decided to treat myself soon and get a low D whistle, but am totally new to it so wanted to ask your advice, please. The reason why I'm wanting one is because I grew up surrounded by trad music, love it, love the whole scene and although I'll never play myself at sessions, I'd love to be able to play in my own house for my own enjoyment, or maybe at family get togethers etc. I've tried playing fiddle, but am rubbish at it although I'll always keep practicing (I really admire people who're good on the fiddle, so jealous of you all!)I've been reading all the comments on here about how it's best to start on a high D whistle then progress, but I've tried and it's a bit too shrill for me, need something in a lower tone to enjoy playing it more. The comments have also made me decide to go for a Dixon. But - I was on his website there and there are so many different kinds to choose from - aluminium or ABS, 3 piece or one piece, tunable, the ones with 2 heads (interchangeable flute and whistle head)...etc so which would be best for me to go for? And what is actually the difference between the flute and the low whistle? Would it be worth my while getting the one with the 2 different heads?
Really appreciate your advice and experience on this one,
thanks!
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
My favourite whistles are Overtons (made by Colim Goldie & Bernard Overton) The tone is great if you can master the instrument. Many players choose Michael Burke's Low D Viper. It tends to play in tune across the lower & upper range.
Definitely find a whistle (or flute) which is tuneavle.Even though you don't intend to play in session you may meet someone who wishes to play a few tunes.
Overton whistles are made of aluminum alloy. Burke's are aluminum bodies with Delrin mouthpiece. He also makes polymer whistles.
Irish flutes are wonderful so eventually you will one to play one. I tend to favour the wooden ones. Someone will post more on the subject of selecting a flute.
Desi Seery makes a decent polymer flute.
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
If you don't play a high D whistle then it is very unlikely that you will play a low one...
Tunable is important and for low whistles you need to know that you can actually reach the holes. And really, when it comes down to it, why don't you just start out on flute anyway?
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
Casey Burn's folk flute is also my recommendation for a starter wooden flute. There are others but expect to pay 300$ or so at least for a reasonable one. Or a PVC flute by Doug Tipple comes in a lot cheaper and has a good reputation, but I don't own one and so cannot comment.
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
I play a chieftan low D, and with regular practice can cover the holes ok (the overton was too hard for me) but I really like playing a Bflat whistle - not so shrill as the high D (or even C) - its both easy on the fingers and easy on the ears and a joy to play alone. Bloody fiddlers hate playing in flats though so I don't really play it with others. My Bflat is a cheap Generation whistle but it plays with a nice tone, is in tune and easy to get the high notes - what more could you want?
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
I bought a high D when I started playing whistle, but it was too shrill for me too. I switched to the low D and basically learned from scratch on it. It definitely can be done (unless you're like my girlfriend and can't physically do the finger-stretch!
I have been told several times to steer clear of those dixon dual-head whistle/flute things. In terms of flutes, I generally hear good things about the dixon 3-piece, but I don't play the flute so don't take my word on it. In terms of low whistles, I've seldom heard a bad thing said about Overtons. If I wasn't saving my pennies for a set of uilleann pipes I 'd probably buy an Overton low D. I play a chieftain which is nice, but tends to go a little flat higher up in the second octave. I also have a chieftain low F which seems to have almost perfect tuning (it also takes less air to play and requires less finger-stretching), but it's not the best for playing with other musicians, and if you intend to pick up the music by ear, most of it is played on D whistles.
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
Heh, I am much more nervous playing in front of family than I am playing at sessions!
Seriously, though... Everybody is rubbish at playing instruments when they first start out. Pick an instrument that you're interested in, and stick with it. Playing music with other people requires a certain amount of dedication and hard work. But if you put in the time and stick with it, you'll be amazed at how much fun is, and your sense of self accomplishment will provide you with some of the most gratifying experiences of your life. If you start with the attitude that you'll never be able to play with people in sessions, then you probably never will.
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
Visit "Song of the Sea", a retail store in beautiful Bar Harbor, Maine. Their website has excellent information (and prices) about whistles of all sizes, and a sound sample of most whistles. Give it a listen. A tuneable whistle is absolutely a must. You don't want to be out of tune.
To play the low whistle, learn the bagpipe finger position- by covering the holes mostly with the middle or second segment of your index fingers of both the upper, left hand and lower right hand. See photo on website.
I have the Michael Burke Low D, aluminium. The bottom hole rotates, making it easier to fit your fingers. I have the soprano D in aluminium too.
Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
I've decided to treat myself soon and get a low D whistle, but am totally new to it so wanted to ask your advice, please. The reason why I'm wanting one is because I grew up surrounded by trad music, love it, love the whole scene and although I'll never play myself at sessions, I'd love to be able to play in my own house for my own enjoyment, or maybe at family get togethers etc. I've tried playing fiddle, but am rubbish at it although I'll always keep practicing (I really admire people who're good on the fiddle, so jealous of you all!)I've been reading all the comments on here about how it's best to start on a high D whistle then progress, but I've tried and it's a bit too shrill for me, need something in a lower tone to enjoy playing it more. The comments have also made me decide to go for a Dixon. But - I was on his website there and there are so many different kinds to choose from - aluminium or ABS, 3 piece or one piece, tunable, the ones with 2 heads (interchangeable flute and whistle head)...etc so which would be best for me to go for? And what is actually the difference between the flute and the low whistle? Would it be worth my while getting the one with the 2 different heads?
Really appreciate your advice and experience on this one,
thanks!
# Posted on August 17th 2008 by eenymo
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
If you are never going to play yourself, who are you gonna play?
# Posted on August 17th 2008 by ...
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
My favourite whistles are Overtons (made by Colim Goldie & Bernard Overton) The tone is great if you can master the instrument. Many players choose Michael Burke's Low D Viper. It tends to play in tune across the lower & upper range.
Definitely find a whistle (or flute) which is tuneavle.Even though you don't intend to play in session you may meet someone who wishes to play a few tunes.
Overton whistles are made of aluminum alloy. Burke's are aluminum bodies with Delrin mouthpiece. He also makes polymer whistles.
Irish flutes are wonderful so eventually you will one to play one. I tend to favour the wooden ones. Someone will post more on the subject of selecting a flute.
Desi Seery makes a decent polymer flute.
# Posted on August 17th 2008 by Ben Steen
Michael
Do you still have the Overton low C?
# Posted on August 17th 2008 by Ben Steen
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
If you don't play a high D whistle then it is very unlikely that you will play a low one...
Tunable is important and for low whistles you need to know that you can actually reach the holes. And really, when it comes down to it, why don't you just start out on flute anyway?
# Posted on August 17th 2008 by Crackpot
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
Casey Burn's folk flute is also my recommendation for a starter wooden flute. There are others but expect to pay 300$ or so at least for a reasonable one. Or a PVC flute by Doug Tipple comes in a lot cheaper and has a good reputation, but I don't own one and so cannot comment.
# Posted on August 17th 2008 by Crackpot
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
I play a chieftan low D, and with regular practice can cover the holes ok (the overton was too hard for me) but I really like playing a Bflat whistle - not so shrill as the high D (or even C) - its both easy on the fingers and easy on the ears and a joy to play alone. Bloody fiddlers hate playing in flats though so I don't really play it with others. My Bflat is a cheap Generation whistle but it plays with a nice tone, is in tune and easy to get the high notes - what more could you want?
# Posted on August 18th 2008 by Bredna
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
I bought a high D when I started playing whistle, but it was too shrill for me too. I switched to the low D and basically learned from scratch on it. It definitely can be done (unless you're like my girlfriend and can't physically do the finger-stretch!
I have been told several times to steer clear of those dixon dual-head whistle/flute things. In terms of flutes, I generally hear good things about the dixon 3-piece, but I don't play the flute so don't take my word on it. In terms of low whistles, I've seldom heard a bad thing said about Overtons. If I wasn't saving my pennies for a set of uilleann pipes I 'd probably buy an Overton low D. I play a chieftain which is nice, but tends to go a little flat higher up in the second octave. I also have a chieftain low F which seems to have almost perfect tuning (it also takes less air to play and requires less finger-stretching), but it's not the best for playing with other musicians, and if you intend to pick up the music by ear, most of it is played on D whistles.
# Posted on August 18th 2008 by Pat Mustard
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
once you try a keyless flute, you'll never go back (this from an ex-whistler, high (Feadog) and low (Howard)
# Posted on August 18th 2008 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
Heh, I am much more nervous playing in front of family than I am playing at sessions!
Seriously, though... Everybody is rubbish at playing instruments when they first start out. Pick an instrument that you're interested in, and stick with it. Playing music with other people requires a certain amount of dedication and hard work. But if you put in the time and stick with it, you'll be amazed at how much fun is, and your sense of self accomplishment will provide you with some of the most gratifying experiences of your life. If you start with the attitude that you'll never be able to play with people in sessions, then you probably never will.
# Posted on August 18th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
Hi, have a look at Sweetheart flutes and whistle. The low D finger hole are closer then most.
# Posted on August 18th 2008 by nik nak
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
Tony Dixon tunable plastic low whistles. The higher range whistles are not bad, either. I have both "D"s, and one of his flutes.
http://www.tonydixonmusic.co.uk/
I might not know much about whistles, but I know what i like, and have had no complaints from my listeners.
Good luck.
# Posted on August 18th 2008 by Piece
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
Visit "Song of the Sea", a retail store in beautiful Bar Harbor, Maine. Their website has excellent information (and prices) about whistles of all sizes, and a sound sample of most whistles. Give it a listen. A tuneable whistle is absolutely a must. You don't want to be out of tune.
To play the low whistle, learn the bagpipe finger position- by covering the holes mostly with the middle or second segment of your index fingers of both the upper, left hand and lower right hand. See photo on website.
I have the Michael Burke Low D, aluminium. The bottom hole rotates, making it easier to fit your fingers. I have the soprano D in aluminium too.
http://www.songsea.com/tinwhist.htm#low
# Posted on August 19th 2008 by image2frame
Re: Need help deciding which low D whistle to go for, thanks
i dearly love my Howard low D-not too pricey ,very responsive, and very sweet of tone
# Posted on August 27th 2008 by pipewatcher