Several months ago I noticed that the Bb whistle has quite a following, especially among people who like to play ballads, hymns and slow airs. Since I only had high D’s and C’s I decided to get one and bought a brass Gen Bb and I must say that I really like it. My family also likes the lower more mello sound. It’s also the first whistle that I have tweaked (made it tunable and put some sticky tack in). So here’s my questions, is the Bb considered a high whistle or a low whistle? I’ve noticed that on some sites they are listed with highs and on some with the lows. Also I’ve seen some that have tubes that can be interchanged with a D or C head. How can this be because my Bb is so much bigger than any of my other whistles. Do Bb’s come in more than one size. Lastly I like my Bb so much I have thought about upgrading and want to know what you think about Burke, Reyburn, GFM, or Humphrey Bb’s. Thanks for any help.
high whistle, because you cant get it any higher. a low Bb is in the bass range. but i think the normal Bb is considered alto, while the high D is soprano.
Bb is mezzo soprano and would be considered a high whistle.
Personally, I consider my Bb a low whistle, since it seems to have a much lower, mellower tone than my C whistles. I love descending into that low tonehole in a tune!
I have a Burke aluminum Bb which has a very pure tone. I haven’t tried a lot of Bb whistles, but I think it would be hard to beat. I am totally satisfied with it. And the best part is, I can play it all the way up to the top of the second octave without fear!
Low whistles start up from low A (bass) to low G. The one higher than low G is a A in the higher octave (8 notes higher than low A). From this A to the high G are the high whistles. So a Bb is a high whistle, as is the A below it. This is a fact.