I think DJF has the answer. I know lots of adults that have trouble with a low whistle, most kids that age probably don't have hands big enough for the task.
I know some adults that can't cope with the fingering on a low D, so it's hard to imagine an 11-year-old coping.
Don't try to push them too hard, is my advice.
Well, as long as they use pipers grip. I have seen some adults who can't cope with Uilleann pipes, whereas some children can. I don't have big hands, and the low whistle is no problem for me. Jon K. had a great idea though.
you get get one made to suit the childs fingers but you would need to go to the maker and he might be able to do something it might cost more than the original price of the whistle
I've seen 12-year-old girls with play overtons Low d no problem. But I wouldn't recomend it - not because technically it might be to hard for small hands, but because I'd get them a decent flute instead.
Hammy Hamilton makes practice flutes in both D & G; http://www.hamiltonflutes.com/practice.html
Usually you'd want a D flute, or whistle, for playing sessions. But the G is of course smaller.
" The practice flute is available in concert pitch - D, or for small children, a much smaller flute in G can be ordered. Normally, children from the age of 10 or so will be able for the concert pitch practice flute."
Your average 11-year-old is close to big enough to play it with piper fingerings (like Jonny Ward said), but you have to know if it's too much of a stretch. I have small hands and used poor form when I was first learning to play the flute... ended up with severe tendonitis, had to take almost a year off, still battle with it. If the child is small, just go with a whistle for now. I don't think a mid-range whistle is a good idea because then the kid will have learned all of the tunes in the wrong key.
Low D whistle for a child?
Low D whistle for a child?
Does anyone know if there is a low d whistle which would be playable for a child (@ 11 years old)?
# Posted on October 10th 2010 by rosedrop
Re: Low D whistle for a child?
yeah, it's called a tin whistle
# Posted on October 10th 2010 by I ♥ Dow
Re: Low D whistle for a child?
I think DJF has the answer. I know lots of adults that have trouble with a low whistle, most kids that age probably don't have hands big enough for the task.
# Posted on October 10th 2010 by AlBrown
Re: Low D whistle for a child?
Might be worth looking at a low G or F, if you want to get them used to the larger whistles.
# Posted on October 10th 2010 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Low D whistle for a child?
I know some adults that can't cope with the fingering on a low D, so it's hard to imagine an 11-year-old coping.
Don't try to push them too hard, is my advice.
# Posted on October 10th 2010 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Low D whistle for a child?
Susato makes Low D whistles with keys. It might still be too much of a reach, but it's an idea...
# Posted on October 10th 2010 by Colin15
Re: Low D whistle for a child?
Well, as long as they use pipers grip. I have seen some adults who can't cope with Uilleann pipes, whereas some children can. I don't have big hands, and the low whistle is no problem for me. Jon K. had a great idea though.
# Posted on October 10th 2010 by pipersgrip
Re: Low D whistle for a child?
you get get one made to suit the childs fingers but you would need to go to the maker and he might be able to do something it might cost more than the original price of the whistle
# Posted on October 10th 2010 by trad man
Re: Low D whistle for a child?
Thanks- great ideas. I am trying to convince them to wait on the low whistle but perhaps a Susato would be worth a try.
# Posted on October 10th 2010 by rosedrop
Re: Low D whistle for a child?
I've seen 12-year-old girls with play overtons Low d no problem. But I wouldn't recomend it - not because technically it might be to hard for small hands, but because I'd get them a decent flute instead.
# Posted on October 10th 2010 by ...
Re: Low D whistle for a child?
Hammy Hamilton makes practice flutes in both D & G;
http://www.hamiltonflutes.com/practice.html
Usually you'd want a D flute, or whistle, for playing sessions. But the G is of course smaller.
# Posted on October 10th 2010 by Ben Steen
Re: Low D whistle for a child?
" The practice flute is available in concert pitch - D, or for small children, a much smaller flute in G can be ordered. Normally, children from the age of 10 or so will be able for the concert pitch practice flute."
# Posted on October 10th 2010 by Ben Steen
Re: Low D whistle for a child?
Your average 11-year-old is close to big enough to play it with piper fingerings (like Jonny Ward said), but you have to know if it's too much of a stretch. I have small hands and used poor form when I was first learning to play the flute... ended up with severe tendonitis, had to take almost a year off, still battle with it. If the child is small, just go with a whistle for now. I don't think a mid-range whistle is a good idea because then the kid will have learned all of the tunes in the wrong key.
# Posted on October 11th 2010 by mark gowman