Does anyone have any advice for playing the third octave on a whistle? Is there something I can do in the way I play to improve it? Or a specific whistle that works better? I have music that calls for High C-natural, C-sharp, and D. On both my Susato High D and my Dixon High D, that 3rd octave D is shrieky and, to say the least, very unpleasant, and the C-natural is nearly impossible to play in tune. I’d appreciate any suggestions! Thanks.
I don’t know about where you live, but it’s illegal in my state to play above the second octave. At the very least it can lead to divorce.
Strangely enough, my SB has a more pleasant third octave D than the VSB. On both whistles I get a good C-natural using oxx xxo.
When I play those three notes I invariably play them staccato. Kind of like hit and run assault. I’ve heard fifers go higher, but I do think its illegal.
Get a Hoover. 
I’ve got Susatos and Dixons and I cringe at the thought of third octave D on either one. It probably causes hearing damage, too.
Edited to be more useful - my laughing whistle and hoovers can go to the third octave with minimal discomfort (to me, anyway) but on most of my other whistles even a second octave A or B is pushing the limits.
[ This Message was edited by: avanutria on 2002-07-11 12:26 ]
Why bother trying? If God had wanted, etc. etc.
You probably already know the “fife fingerings” for the third octave, but just in case, here they are.
These will work better than just overblowing; however, I have never found anything that will actually make the third octave on a whistle sound good.
for high D use oxx|ooo or oxx|oox
for high E use xxo|xxo or xxo|oxx
for high F# use xox|xxx
for high G use xox|ooo
for high A use oxx|xxo
Good luck. Hearing protection is recommended.
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
You’ll be more likely to get third octave abilities on narrow bore whistles.
…at least, with less risk of passing out.