Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.

Subject: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 02:06 PM

I am teaching myself to play a penny whistle and having a small degree of success doing so but I do love the sound of the Low D whistles I have heard. I will at some point soon be buying one and would like peoples opinions on best sound, best handling, easiest on the breathing and price...plus anything you can add to that please.
Thanks in anticipation and Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: DonMeixner
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 02:13 PM

Hi Mike,

Expect to pay a bundle. Go to www.chiffandfipple.com for the best whistle site around.

Don

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Sooz
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 02:14 PM

I'll bring one to the folk club on Friday for you to try!

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Shaneo
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 02:18 PM

Have a listen to 'The Lonesome Boatman' as preformed by Finbar Furey , it's a low whistle in the key of D.
The low whistle will give you a better range as it wont sound so high pitched when you reach for the second octave.
They are much harder to blow so I hope your not a smoker.

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 02:19 PM

I don't play but I love the sound of the Overton Low D. Alson, can I suggest you PM Dave Fletcher (Goldengob on Mudcat). He plays a Low D which sounds wonderful but I'm not sure what it is.

Good luck

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 03:11 PM

Thank you all so far for input and would appreciate that Sooz, Thanks. Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: JohnB
Date: 02 Jan 07 - 12:21 AM

Mine is an aluminium Cheiftan by the Kerry Whistle Company, I like it as do people who hear it. I have a friend who has a Tony Dixon plastic one, it's not bad and not great it was a lot cheper than mine though. I have friends with a Michael ? forget his last name, it is on the Chiff and Fipple site though, it is aluminium with a black mouthpiece, they sound good and I think are more expensive.
I have also made a couple from both 3/4 dia. Copper water pipe and similar sized plastic water pipe. They play OK but not as good as the Chieftan. There are instuctions out there in webland.
If you have small hands make sure that you can comfortably reach the holes. Never played one ut I hear that te Overton has quite a long reach for the bottom hole.
Good Luck and keep practising, JohnB

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 Jan 07 - 05:37 AM

There's been lots of previous discussion on other threads here.

I won't repeat all my comments here, but I have two favourites.

It also really depends on whether you want some sort of high volume foghorn for 'generic Irish Sessions', or a sweet-toned 'flutelike' instrument.

I personally prefer the original mouthpiece design Howard Low C (the low D is not just quite as beautiful) for 'orchestral-flutelike' sounds, but I also like the Shaw Low D, as it has a breathy sound - often my most favoured 'hack' whistle instrument - even for blues and jazz. The Shaw, however, uses much more wind than the Howard; I can get only one line of a typical 4 line tune verse on one breath on the Shaw, compared to the whole 4 lines plus on the Howard.

I have many others, each is quite appropriate for different styles...

I have heard good comments ahout the Burke, but these days lack of finances has curtailed my WADS... (Whistle Acquisition Disorder Syndrome)...

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jan 07 - 06:22 AM

This has probably been told before but is worth repeating.
All these Low D whistles are derivatives of the hallowed Overton. Before Overton there were only the Generations and Clarkes penny whistles. Bernard Overton invented his Low D (and later complete range of whistles) sometime in the 70s at the request of Finbar Furey. The Fureys were living in Coventry at the time, and Bernard was well-known on the local folk and jazz scene. He was also well-known for doing a bit of welding, and regularly fixed folky cars that had failed their MOTs. Finbar Furey used to play The Lonesome Boatman on an old bamboo whistle, which was not in concert pitch. He apparently sat on it at a party, and went to Bernard to see if it would be possible to construct one out of metal tube, that would sound as sweet as his bamboo one, but be louder and even better be in tune! And also be indestructible.
A tall order, but Bernard set to work experimenting with steel, aluminium, copper and finally stainless steel tube, and the result was something like the whistles you see today. Initially, he only built the whistle for Finbar, but as a result of Finbar playing it all around the World, people kept phoning to ask if he could build one for them. Bernard was not a whistle player (although he does play now), but played piano in a jazz band and nylon strung guitar at the local folk clubs.
Through a happy accident, his experiment grew into the industry that it is today. And despite all the other derivatives there are around, he is still as busy as ever and struggles to keep up with demand. Now in his mid 70s and suffering from arthritis, Bernard is still working in the workshop alongside Jim Webb, who does most of the day to day work. There is no inbuilt obsolescence here either - these whistles are indestructible.
So where have all these whistlers come from?
If you want to know more, go to Phil Brown's excellent Big Whistle Music website.

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Tim theTwangler
Date: 02 Jan 07 - 07:26 AM

Jen has a howard with old and new style mouth peices and one of the all plastic ones which is altogether a breathier sound.
Your man from Cara is good one to talk to.
And ask him about his whistle tuning technique, you do need a morris minor to do it properly though.
I find that that normal D whistle by sweetone is less jarring on everyones ears
The sussato ones are ok but very prone to drifting of tune according to weather/room conditions.
Cheers mate
No go whip your Guitar player into the practice room!
LOL
Tim

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 02 Jan 07 - 11:21 AM

LOL

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Scoville
Date: 02 Jan 07 - 11:27 AM

Rather like blowing on a tailpipe. The one we have sounds lovely but nobody really has hands big enough to play it.

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: GUEST,Ingrid Frances Stark
Date: 03 Jan 07 - 03:19 AM

I found an excellent and inexpensive one on ebay. It is the only thing I have purchased, to date, via that service.
Its made from pvc pipe, with a textured surface. It almost looks like wood, and it almost sounds like wood. My breathing technique has improved from playing it.
Steve tells me its beginner's luck. (He may be right. The seller had a lot of negative feedback, and is no longer selling on ebay.)
I think it was made in india. In any case, its perfectly tuned, and I get lots of compliments every time I play it in public.
I hope you find one thats right for you.

Ingrid

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: MuddleC
Date: 03 Jan 07 - 10:12 AM

hello GS
I too, have strayed down the path of low D whistledom, seduced by players far better than I can ever hope to be... and what I did was simply go up to any low D player I came across and annoy them by saying 'what a beautiful sound..what on earth is it?', why that one? etc?
Good humouredly most will talk to you, but lying down at their feet saying 'we're not worthy'. is taking it a it too far...ahem
So, listen to as many as you can come across, ask very nicely if you can try the finger spacing... if you can't cover the holes -you can't play it, with the mouthpiece question, some take more puff than others, .........and they are all expensive!!.
I was watching ebay for ages until someone in Ohio was selling his, and I managed to buy a Kerry low D plastic mouthpiece monster for half the price quoted on this side of the pond.. even with shipping!
....I still have to tie weights to my RH ring finger each night to stretch my 'span' but I have heard its beautiful sound at speed courtesy of the 'maestro' at the Whitefriars session
good luck
Tim

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Gedpipes
Date: 03 Jan 07 - 12:04 PM

...Overton wins hands down anytime.
I bought mine in Dublin in 1980.

but it is worth trying as many different ones as you can as Tim and Tim say.

http://www.bigwhistle.co.uk/

http://www.westonwhistles.co.uk


Blue skies
Ged
peas. Anyone reading this who has a low C to dispose of - please let me know.

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: harpmolly
Date: 03 Jan 07 - 11:45 PM

If you're willing to fork over four bills or so, the Copeland Low D is heavenly. My fingers can't reach all the holes *grin* but I do enjoy playing the high Ds...it's like liquid gold. Yummy. Ooh, sometimes my job is torture. ;)

M

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Cluin
Date: 04 Jan 07 - 01:05 AM

I've got a Howard Low D I picked up when I was in Glasgow a few years ago. Lovely deep breathy sound, great on slower tunes. Like a wooden flute almost. Tricky to get used to the fingering on it though.

You could try building one. Do a Google search on whistle making and you can find plans to build them out of PVC tubing or copper pipe. A nice winter project.

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 Jan 07 - 01:26 AM

I have never used the popular 'whistle fingering' i.e. like the piper's fingering, but the 'flute or recorder style' fingering, in which I use the pads of the fingers. I also rotate the wrist slightly, so that I use the sides of some of the pads. No problem with stretches for me, normal male size hands - Low C Howard and Low D Shaw - easy!


If anybody has a Low Whistle that they can't reach the fingerholes, for, please contact me, and I'll see if it is one I want and I will buy it from you. :-)

BTW, There is a 'Low Whistle' Yahoo group -
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/basswhistle
"For those interested in defining Tin Whistles constructed at pitches below LOW-LOW-A (220Hz).
For discussion on Low fipple design, keys?, standard pitches, music, etc.
For people who are interested in bass whistles."

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 04 Jan 07 - 03:01 AM

Again, thank you to all those who have contributed to the thread. I am sure I will reach some sort of decision soon. Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Peter T.
Date: 04 Jan 07 - 03:03 AM

Here's a poser: does a low d cover the same territory as the Japanese shakuhatchi?

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Cluin
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 06:51 PM

That shut everybody up, Peter.

Good question, BTW.

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 07:14 PM

Peter T..I know the shakuhatchi can be bought in key of D but do they do it in Low D?

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 09:23 PM

G'day Georgiansilver,

Wiki suggests that the "true" shakuhachi (length 1.8 shaku [Japanese foot] = shaku + hachi [eight]). A 2.4 shaku instrument would be in A ... and a "low" D would be about 3.6 shaku ... however, the same Wiki entry suggests they are only made up to a size of 3.3 shaku!

I'm sure someone (less bound by tradition) has made one in low D ... if not from the traditional bamboo, then from wood ... of even PVC pipe!

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 10:12 PM

Hmmm ... some of that 'fell off' the side of the posting!

I meant to say that the "true" shakuhachi is in D. All other things being equal (as they seldom are!) that ought to mean a "low D" instrument would be 3.6 shaku but I ought to have done some figuring first!

1.8 shaku = 545 mm (somewhat longer than the shakuhachi I'm used to seeing played by local Master Riley Lee?).

My Overton Low D whistle is 573 mmm over all but only 544 mm from the bottom of the fipple to the far end (and my, narrower, tapered, Shaw is 575 mmm over all but only 548 mm from the bottom of the fipple to the far end) so an effective tube length of 545 mm (since the full length of the shakuhachi is utilised) ought to give a note very like "low D" ... depending on the bore and other internal factors.

Of course, there are only 5 finger holes ... but a shakuhachi master must be a master of changing intonation and pitch ... just to play the Japanese repertoire!

Regard(les)s,

Bob

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: MuddleC
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 11:30 PM

'...but a shakuhachi master must be a master of changing intonation and pitch '......

and if he fails, does he then pull a small blade from within its body and commit seppuku in the pub? -falling lifeless over his pint of saki and packet of cheese and sushi flavored crisps??

-I'll get my coat

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Cluin
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 12:04 AM

Yes.
Yes, he does.

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 04:06 AM

LOL and thanks for that Bob B

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: oggie
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 01:49 PM

I have a Howard 'D' - has taken years to get used to the span and also get a reliable technique for covering the holes, my fingers are slim as well as short. Dependent on your hand size you may have to compromise on sound to get one you can play, try as many as possible would be my advice.

oggie

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Jane of 'ull
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 03:21 PM

I think I would like one of these but I have got small hands and fingers.

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: Leadfingers
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 08:21 PM

The biggest problem with any Low D apart from the stretch , is volume
Not bad for Solo stuff , or with one singer , but in a group , hardly audible without a decent Microphone and P A .

Subject: RE: Opinions on best Low D Whistle please.
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 16 Aug 12 - 03:05 AM

The biggest problem with any Low D apart from the stretch , is volume
Not bad for Solo stuff , or with one singer , but in a group , hardly audible without a decent Microphone and P A .

But the same could be said of many flutes, concertinas, bouzoukis, mandolins, singers ... I've played with three and four piece acoustic bands and got myself across perfectly happily. Doesn't work up against a horn section or a rock 'n' roll band, but unless you're equating volume and quality, or volume and 'validity', I'm not sure where that gets us. I wouldn't play low whistle for the Morris side, but that's a particular case and I see a lot of people playing various instruments for Morris sides who can't be heard on the other side of the set.

Oh, and the answer to the original 2007 question is Overton / Goldies :)