Might be just the thing for someone new to low whistles. Its a perfect choice of key (if your friend does'nt have one already!).
Shaw's seem to have smaller holes than most "low" whistles so they may be less challenging than some other makes.
Is your friend a whistle player already? or completely new to whistles? I was just wondering why you are exclusively thinking of a "low" model.
On the down side, shaw's seem to require a lot of breath from my experience of their high whistles, but I've never played one of their low ones. Also, I don't believe Shaw's are tunable which may give issues if playing with other people.
I do own several Howard low whistles - and I like them!!! Having said that, others will no doubt have their favourites to recommend to you. The Howards have big holes but are tunable and have a sensible breath requirement.
I know very little about whistles, and I also wish to point out in the loudest possible way that the Shaw in question is nothing to do with me!! However, a Shaw low D is actually in my possession. My daughter bought one many years ago and, it's fair to say, the fact that it still resides in a dusty cupboard in my house speaks volumes. It is very breathy and quite exhausting to play for any length of time, though she could get a good tone out of it. It isn't tunable in any way at all. I can't sit here and honestly diss them, as I know sod all about whistles really, but I would think it would be a good idea to investigate other makes before taking the plunge. But listen to me at your peril, as ever.
Bear in mind that many woman have trouble playing low whistles. My mom bought one, and couldn't play it, on account of the big holes. And they will require more breath than the high.
elewis 154, I don't know whether that was response to my post, but my daughter has quite large hands and long fingers - it was, I think, more the breathiness of the beast that was the main putter-offer.
I've got a Shaw high C, and that needs quite a lot of breath for a high whistle so goodness knows what the low ones are like. I do love the tone on it though, and the tuning is excellent for such a relatively inexpensive whistle.
I play a low Shaw. Its great. Like a giant Clarke whistle. Breathy, wooden tone. Does use a lot of air - but so do the Merlin and the Susato (and the pipes/gaita) so that is not a problem.
I don't like it for fast tunes, though. It seems slower than the higher whistles. If your friend already plays whistle - get one, but its not for learning on.
A musician I know has recently brought a low Shaw from States. I played it.
It really sounds great - very pleasant tone, quite unique, breathy and deep. Takes A LOT of air as any of Shaw whistles and requires good breath control.
I found playing quick stuff quite problematic as air consumption increases, breath tends to become more tense and rough and so tone becomes unstable - out of tune and less rounded.
So, to play well on Shaw's lows you have to have capacious lungs and very accurate breath control.
But - for slow tunes it is great.
Note also - it is untunable and may be out of tune with some instruments.
Actually, we are great fans of Shaw's high whistles here but usually we modify them so that they take less air - by narrowing windway and straightening the blade. The tone becomes less breathy, more bright with all ornamentation very crisp.
To resume - I would not take a Shaw as it is as the very first whistle since it would take time to "tame" it in a way.
Shaw Low D whistle
Shaw Low D whistle
Thinking of buying a friend a Shaw Low D whistle for Christmas. Has anyone ever played them? Are they any good?
# Posted on November 27th 2010 by Zazzaliss
Re: Shaw Low D whistle
Might be just the thing for someone new to low whistles. Its a perfect choice of key (if your friend does'nt have one already!).
Shaw's seem to have smaller holes than most "low" whistles so they may be less challenging than some other makes.
Is your friend a whistle player already? or completely new to whistles? I was just wondering why you are exclusively thinking of a "low" model.
On the down side, shaw's seem to require a lot of breath from my experience of their high whistles, but I've never played one of their low ones. Also, I don't believe Shaw's are tunable which may give issues if playing with other people.
I do own several Howard low whistles - and I like them!!! Having said that, others will no doubt have their favourites to recommend to you. The Howards have big holes but are tunable and have a sensible breath requirement.
I hope thats helped - even if only a little bit !
# Posted on November 28th 2010 by ormepipes
Re: Shaw Low D whistle
I know very little about whistles, and I also wish to point out in the loudest possible way that the Shaw in question is nothing to do with me!! However, a Shaw low D is actually in my possession. My daughter bought one many years ago and, it's fair to say, the fact that it still resides in a dusty cupboard in my house speaks volumes. It is very breathy and quite exhausting to play for any length of time, though she could get a good tone out of it. It isn't tunable in any way at all. I can't sit here and honestly diss them, as I know sod all about whistles really, but I would think it would be a good idea to investigate other makes before taking the plunge. But listen to me at your peril, as ever.
# Posted on November 28th 2010 by Steve Shaw
Re: Shaw Low D whistle
I should have added that the whistle is pretty well in tune with other instruments - that wasn't an issue with us.
# Posted on November 28th 2010 by Steve Shaw
Re: Shaw Low D whistle
Bear in mind that many woman have trouble playing low whistles. My mom bought one, and couldn't play it, on account of the big holes. And they will require more breath than the high.
# Posted on November 28th 2010 by elewis154
Re: Shaw Low D whistle
I've played many different Low D's and IMHO, have found the Overton to be my favorite.
Chiff and Fipple is another good place to ask this question.
http://forums.chiffandfipple.com/viewforum.php?f=1
# Posted on November 28th 2010 by Gone to work
Re: Shaw Low D whistle
elewis 154, I don't know whether that was response to my post, but my daughter has quite large hands and long fingers - it was, I think, more the breathiness of the beast that was the main putter-offer.
# Posted on November 28th 2010 by Steve Shaw
Re: Shaw Low D whistle
I've got a Shaw high C, and that needs quite a lot of breath for a high whistle so goodness knows what the low ones are like. I do love the tone on it though, and the tuning is excellent for such a relatively inexpensive whistle.
# Posted on November 29th 2010 by Red Menace
Re: Shaw Low D whistle
I play a low Shaw. Its great. Like a giant Clarke whistle. Breathy, wooden tone. Does use a lot of air - but so do the Merlin and the Susato (and the pipes/gaita) so that is not a problem.
I don't like it for fast tunes, though. It seems slower than the higher whistles. If your friend already plays whistle - get one, but its not for learning on.
regards,
Martin
# Posted on November 29th 2010 by MartinJongleur
Re: Shaw Low D whistle
Yeah, they do seem better for slower pieces. Maybe it's the larger holes: they're a little harder to play, for some.
# Posted on November 30th 2010 by elewis154
Re: Shaw Low D whistle
A musician I know has recently brought a low Shaw from States. I played it.
It really sounds great - very pleasant tone, quite unique, breathy and deep. Takes A LOT of air as any of Shaw whistles and requires good breath control.
I found playing quick stuff quite problematic as air consumption increases, breath tends to become more tense and rough and so tone becomes unstable - out of tune and less rounded.
So, to play well on Shaw's lows you have to have capacious lungs and very accurate breath control.
But - for slow tunes it is great.
Note also - it is untunable and may be out of tune with some instruments.
Actually, we are great fans of Shaw's high whistles here but usually we modify them so that they take less air - by narrowing windway and straightening the blade. The tone becomes less breathy, more bright with all ornamentation very crisp.
To resume - I would not take a Shaw as it is as the very first whistle since it would take time to "tame" it in a way.
# Posted on December 5th 2010 by Viking of Kiev