susato whistle

Subject: susato whistle
From: Chet W.
Date: 18 Jan 00 - 12:31 PM

I just got a low-G Susato whistle. Generally very pleased with it, but having a little trouble going to the second octave. I notice the airway and the wedge that makes the sound are curved. Any special technique considerations on this one?

Thanks, Chet

Subject: RE: susato whistle
From: alison
Date: 18 Jan 00 - 10:55 PM

we have discussed this in other whistle threads. I am not a susato fan.... they have a beautiful tone.. but the top octave is not reliable.... if only they'd put on a longer mouthpiece.....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: susato whistle
From: Big Mick
Date: 19 Jan 00 - 12:17 AM

I have several Susato's. I concur completely with THE FAIR ONE (Big Surprise, eh?). The sound is wonderful, but you canna count on them when going up, or when playing in the second octave. The wind control requires such perfection that you will find yourself in the middle of a phrase and the whistle drops an octave.

Subject: RE: susato whistle
From: Vixen
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 09:23 AM

Dear Chet--

I have two susatos, a C and a low D. The curved windway is lovely because the "moisture" drains away to the sides and doesn't clog the works. I know that unreliability in the upper range is a generally reported problem (I think Dale at Chiffandfipple.com has something about it too). I haven't experienced the problem on either of my whistles, however. This may be because I'm doing relatively slow stuff where precise breath control is easier. My fingers aren't nimble enough yet for the really fast stuff. Also, I jump around from orchestral flute to wooden flutes to recorders to penny whistles, so maybe that has something to do with it.

Good luck--I love my susatos--the C was the only wind instrument I had that would play outside when I was inspired to go whistle at the wind during hurricane floyd.

V

Subject: RE: susato whistle
From: alison
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 07:18 AM

Vixen I think you have just been very lucky with your whistles. I too have played the woodwind instruments you have mentioned for many years (therefore have good breath control).. and consider myself to be a very good whistler (oh dear... that doesn't sound awfully modest.. ah well *grin*)... and I just can't use them although I have used a low A for playing slow airs that stay mainly in the low register (sounds great)..... but I wouldn't trust a D for a fast jig or a reel..

However... my theory about the problem is that I play the whistle out of the side of my mouth.... the susato mouthpiece is too short for that... but even straight out (like a recorder)doesn't work.... do you play yours to the front or the side? just curious...

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: susato whistle
From: sophocleese
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 01:19 PM

I'm interested in this one. I recently got a Generation Tapor Pipe and I've been having a lot of fun with it but it is very (okay EXTREMELY!!!!) shrill in the upper register. So I want to get a susato one. Has anybody else played a susato tabor pipe? Tabor pipes are just tinwhistles with three holes instead of one, but I think the mouthpieces are the same as well.

Subject: RE: susato whistle
From: GUEST,Mulligan
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 07:06 PM

I have to agree with Vixen (actually i would probably agree to anything from a woman named "Vixen") I love my Susatos. I have heard all this business about breath control and a flaky upper octave, but I have never had any problems.....

However.....i think we should all send an email to Mr. Kelischek ([e-mail]) insisting that he make the damn mouthpiece longer! Dan

Subject: RE: susato whistle
From:
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 07:47 PM

To everyone-

I own a Susato set, C, D, and Bb. The tones are clear and best of all - they are loud. The best session whistles I have.

Mine demand a bit more air in the upper octaves, but in all my D is fine. The upper octaves demand alot of air to simply stay put (on mine) and this technique - if you want to call it that - works NOT on other whistle brands.

Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: susato whistle
From: Magpie
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 03:01 PM

About a year ago I got three Susato whistles, but it took me about eight months of practicing to want to brung them to a gig on account of the upper-octave-syndrome. My ex-boyfriend, who got them for me, said "You just have to be positive!" And that is true. You have to be positive when hitting the high notes. Spit them out! The Chieftain's, Soodlum's, Kerry's and Overton's that I have are much easier. I can almost "slide" into a higher note, but not so with the Susato. With them I have to be very decisive about the high octave.

I struggles with them for a long time, but now, I wouldn't want to play any other whistle at a gig or a session. They are loud, and the difference in volume between the low and high octave is not as big as with other whistles I have tried.

Magpie

Subject: RE: susato whistle
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 07:06 PM

G'day ChetW & all,

I bought the 3 small Susatos (D, C and A) a while back. Everyone (including the seller) told me the A didn't work well (and I could bring it back if I didn't like it)... Worked well for me!

Now I have a low D - it runs right through its 2½ octaves quite nicely ... for me anyway.

I have been making a few (dozen) low D whistles lately (to investigate tone-hole placement alternatives for small hands/ small finger). I thried a few with the curved windway configuration but, because I was short of material for the outer tube, I had to make them very short.

Kathy Potter, my flautist / whistle player in Backblocks Musicians (who has a classical flute background and has approached recorders via tin whistle) found that the one she liked best was one of the short mouthpiece, curved windway jobs. Kathy says this gives her a high degree of control. Of course, Kathy blithely plays something you or I would say was off pitch ... and corects it as she plays!

I guess it is a matter of what suits what player.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: susato whistle
From: alison
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 11:47 PM

Hi Bob,

any old (small) low D experiments you want to get rid of????? I'm still interested...

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: susato whistle
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 01:28 AM

G'day Alison,

Nothing made that I would let go ... I just bought another 12 metres of assorted pipe and various bits of plastic tube and I am heading of on another design tack. (Er ... that is when i get some time to myself.)

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: susato whistle
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 02:46 AM

Bob, have you followed the designs from the Mudcat link to Home Made Instruments (or similar such name) or are you using other designs. I have an old friend in Melbourne who is a master metal worker whom I hope to whip one up fairly soon. I'm not a whistle player beyond some slow airs. Regards, John