edit
you’ll know what it is the second you pick up a whistle without any…
It’s basically when you have to “lean” into the whistle to get a note… like on a Shaw, an Alba, etc.
~Larry
My understanding is that back pressure is when there’s a little resistance to your blowing into the whistle.
A little back pressure is good because it allows you to control each note more precisely. Too much back pressure, and it feels like the whistle is clogged up. Not enough back pressure, and you feel like you’re getting dizzy blowing into an open tube, your breath gets used up just getting notes to come out, and you have to take too many breaths.
Best wishes,
Jerry
Usually resistance (or back-pressure) is associated with a more narrow windway, and a whistle that takes less air.
Usually a whistle with more resistance is going to be louder than one with less.
Susatos, for instance, have very good resistance for a whistle. Conversely, I have played some Clarke originals which had no resistance to speak of at all–it was like blowing down a barrel.
As Sam pointed out, playing a whistle with no back-pressure at all is exhausting.
Best,
–James
The trick is having a little bit of backpressure but not constricted enough to clog constantly.
A little backpressure does gives good control, a windway doesn’t have to be narrow. It could be wide with little height - but I think that would be more prone to clogging.
Agreed.
A whistle can have back pressure, as opposed to free-blowing.
The highest back pressure I have experienced was with Colin Goldie’s Overtons, but also Kerry (plastic head) and Kery Pros, all these being low whistles.
My experience with higher whistles is too limited, though I do think my Sindt A/Bb gives me some back pressure, i.e. limited but more than the plastic heads or the Copeland D.
Fun is, while I do appreciate back pressure in low whistles (not for all tunes and music), I’m not sure I like it at all in high whistles, where I feel oppressed like when holding my breath too long (free-diving).
Jerry’s description is spot on with my concept of back pressure. I don’t think a lot of back pressure is a good or bad thing, just an aspect of a whistle that you may like or dislike.
I know a few people who really like good, solid back pressure, especially in a session setting where they’re not trying to be subtle with their playing, and don’t want to back off on their enthusiasm. You need a good strong diaphragm and technique more like a singer.
A narrow windway (in either direction) or one that is more wedge-shaped (narrowing as it approaches the window and blade, provides backpressure.
A lack of backpressure is the only aspect of my lower Burkes that I don’t particularly like. The Kerry Pro low D was very satisfying for me.