Just wondering…
Does anyone else out there not like low whistles? I mean, it seems like everyone is just smitten with them, but I’ve never really taken to them.
Granted, I’ve only ever owned Susato lows (probably part of the problem), but I’ve never even really cared to listen to a low whistle.
Perhaps I’m in the minority? 
This topic has been brought up in the fairly recent past couple of months and apparently there are a number of individuals that feel the same way, but have you ever gone to Phil Hardy’s site and listened to some of his music? THAT sound is what keeps me after the low whistle.
Although I really don’t enjoy much playing (I take it you mean low D) low whistles, I really love hearing others play them (well). I’m learning new tunes and practicing with the metronome quite a bit just now and working on a bunch of stuff, so I pretty much play the high D every day. When I feel “low,” G is about as low as I go.
Philo
I prefer Low F for the faster stuff, I like Low Ds but I just prefer higher whistles myself but I think I need more lows as I only have two.
I have an Overton low F that I love. If I ever get another whistle, it’ll probably be an Overton low D.
I think the sound of low whistles is great. You can do so much with that tone…I like slow, sad, even haunting tunes (I will play the occasional happy song ). Ironically, I don’t own a low whistle per se. I’ve made a few. Personally, I’m a confused soul. Some instances, I love high notes, and hate low notes, and sometimes its the other way around.
I think they are great for song accompaniment and slow airs. If you are trying to compare them side-by-side for playing dance tunes, well, I don’t like 'em that much either. I’d rather hear a flute. I have listened to Phil’s site and despite my respect for the players there, there is a New-Agey sound to it that I don’t care for. The vibrato gets really annoying when overused. It’s like having a spent emotion of some sort.
Hear, hear!
Not just Phil but there are artists out there that can reaaaallly pull some music out of it.
Years before I got into whistling, I was floored by Spillanes open in Riverdance. It captured feeling. I have heard touring versions that play that Reel around the Sun open and they sound like jobbers by comparison. I have listened to other quality players since I got into the whistle and appreciate its quality in gifted hands. That is what I strive for in my interpretati…
Oh, who am I kidding?
I play the Low D in the hopes it is more virile looking than playing a high D. High D looks cute on Andrea Corrs…not me!
I sold mine off–once I got my first flute, I never seriously played them again.
I have been thinking of selling my but I just can’t bring myself to it WhOA won’t let me.
Among others, you might check out “Trip to Ireland” on Mike McGoldrick/John McSherry’s “At First Light” for an inspiring example of the “sad” motif… and “Watermans” on McGoldrick’s “Fused” for an equally inspiring example of the more upbeat (almost jazz) motif. I consider “Fused” the standard by which my magnitudes-lesser Low D playing is measured. In current vernacular, “It Rocks!!”
I played a Colin Goldie tunable for a couple of years (excellent axe, by the way), but have been playing the O’Riordan since I got it a few months ago. I also have a Susato, but have never been able to play it well since I’m not an NBA star, and it’s consistently about 15 cents flat throughout the range even when completely flush on the tuning ring.
[quote=“Unseen122”]I have been thinking of selling my but [quote]
Did I really write that? That is too funny I can’t even change that to mine which it should be. I would recommend McGoldrick with Lunasa ont he first album bonus track Jacky Molard’s/The Hunters Purse that is my favorite Low Whistle set.
I like the sound of them in some tunes. However I have a great deal of trouble playing a low D. I have 2, a Jubilee practice whistle and a Howard. I do like my Dixon low G quite a bit though and it is a lot easier to play.
Ron
Low metal whistles often have a metallic sound–like wind blowing through a drainpipe. But I do enjoy hearing them played well by those who are good at them. Tony Hinnigan comes to mind as well.
I tend to find that a lot of low whistle playing is too new-agey for me. . . More precisely, low whistle playing tends to have a LOT of vibrato, sliding notes, and over-ornamentation (Not the clicky/bubbly UP type but the more “emotive” type, if that makes sense). For instance, Davy spillane’s low whistle playing makes me gag. (Just a personal reaction - not a statement on his ability)
OTOH, I really like low/mid whistles when they are copping GHB tunes. . . the ornaments can get very crisp and precise, and it sounds god.
Yeah, I had a Kerry Low D, but now I have three flutes that get a lot more attention. My Chieftain Low F gets played sometimes, but not nearly enough. Its a great whistle, thats why I can’t part with it.
Low whistles are the reason I got into whistling. I only learned to play the high D in preparation for my low D. Since then however I have come to really enjoy my high whistles as well, and play both high and low pretty regularly (with the exception of the last few days… just got my mellow dog 
). When it comes to listening to whistle recordings though I still prefer to hear the lower ones.
Low whistles are sexy No they don’t quite have the richness of a flute. But there is just somthing about a low whistle… Love em