Well, I did not go to a Folk Festival first, but I wanted a Low D and I was in quite the dilemma. I bought a Burke Low D Viper for many reasons (reach (last hole can be adjusted for reach), BP, air capacity, and sound). It should be here soon and I will let you know how I like it, although I am sure I will be splendidly happy. Go to Burke’s web site and listen to it.
I agree with Padraigh, Alba is very easy to play, but also its sound is very haunting, beautiful (I was lucky to be able to try it out). It reminds me of my favourite, the Overton (is only more expensive, but I was so lucky to find one secondhand). The whistle itslef is beautifully made.
Also look at Impempe, also within your budget. I have 4 high end Impempe whistles from South Africa, very beautiful and relatively very cheap. Look at the website: http://impempe.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/. I’m very fond of the sound, very focused. I haven’t heard the low D yet. Ian Turnbull, the maker, is a very generous guy. I had a whistle with a mistake and he took it back and made a new one. He also sent me 2 only to try. He’s on Chiff and Fipple now and then as well.
I, too, am looking for a low D. I own a Howard, but have a very hard time keeping the holes covered. I find myself really grasping the whistle with force in order to cover the holes which impedes fluidity. I had a Susato Low D, but I didn’t like it’s sound.
I’ve watched Davy Spillane’s hands at work (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv_oRkBcrtY) and I think one of my problems is that my fingers are quite thin - not enough padding! I could solve that this holiday. Thanksgiving and Christmas are around the corner, but I was wondering if there was a better whistle out there I should consider.
How does the Howard compare to other Low D’s out there?
I just received my Burke Low D Viper today from Doc. It was sitting on my porch (DSL delivery) when I got home. I was out getting supplies to make PVC Whistles.
Well, I have to say I am very happy. I love the sound and I am not a very good whistle player. I of course need to practice, but I love the way the lower hole turns so I can reach. I am 5’3" a woman of medium build in mid 50’s. I have no problem reaching (arm length) the holes and covering them is not a real problem (just some getting used to). The only note I have a hard time getting is the Low D. I am sure I will get it with practice, but I was able to play a couple of tunes with it, so, so far I am happy. It sure is different the the Little ones! I even managed to toot out the tune “The Rose” and it wasn’t to bad. Rainy Day is a favorite of mine and it played well on the Burke Low D (again I am having a bit of an issue to get that Low D, but I do think it is me). I bought this whistle used from Doc and so far I am very happy. My opinion is most likely not worth much as I am a beginner, but maybe it might help you out.
Hey, Bonnie. Thanks for posting. I own a Brass Session Burke in D and I love it. My daughter has a narrow bore alum. Burke. I love that, too. I had my eye on the Viper but forgot to mention it when I posted. I wonder how it compares to the Howard I have…
Bonnie, I am glad to hear that the Burke Viper is working out. I was surprised to see how small a Viper can pack down when you break it down into 4 sections. Must be the most packable low D around.
Imp, I have not tried many low D whistles, but I have played a Burke Viper and a Howard back to back. The hole size and spacing on them are almost exactly the same except for the second and fifth holes counting from the top on the Howard. (A and E respectively.) These two holes are not that much larger, but they are wide enough to create saddle like dips in the tube because of the curvature. This is not a great explanation, but you will certainly understand since you play a Howard. The Burke does not have such deep indentations so the holes are a bit easier to seal. Finger stretch is actually better on the Howard – the Burke makes you reach lower with that bottom finger
That said, I like the fact that the Howard uses a lot less air. I need to take a breath far more often with the Burke. (Keep in mind that I have asthma and my lung volume is not what it should be.)
Sound wise, both are great, but they are on opposite ends of the spectrum.
Stegoosh: I´d suggest to stay away from Overtons for a while (I love them, don´t get me wrong - but they´re difficult to tame for beginners).
On the other hand, I don´t think it is too good idea to buy whistles around 100 pounds, as when you add fifty, you can afford an Overton.
I would go with Tony Dixon´s One piece low D. It´s around 24 pounds, it´s one of the cheapest, but it´s very easy to play, and it´s got a pretty good sound). Later, when you have the money and skill, I´d talk to Colin Goldie (the maker of Overtons) and have your whistle custom-made.
Colin Goldie makes whistles custom-made and so therefore you cannot say it’s difficult to tame for beginners. Colin is an extremely nice guy who can make you a whistle that’s easy to play. And if it’s not right, he’ll ask you to send it back and he’ll make it right for you. The sound of the Overton for me has the most beautiful sound I’ve heard in a whistle (that’s for high and for low whistles)
Stegoosh: I’ve played most of the low D’s out there, and most have pretty similar finger spacing, and present a similar amount of difficulty for someone not used to the finger stretch. I think there’s a site which has a chart which compares the fingerhole spacing, and sites which show the “piper’s grip”, a way of positioning the fingers to make playing low D whistles more comfortable.
The champion for ergonomics is the Susato low D with angled neck and keys for the ring fingers.
Burke makes an “EZ” low D that requires less of a finger stretch on the low hand.
I found the Copeland low D to be one of the most comfortable whistles to play due to the narrow tube and slightly closer fingerhole spacing.
Bonnie, congrats on the Viper!!! I still love mine. It’s still a bit tiring on the hands to play due to the very large tube and slightly wider upper-hand stretch than usual. I’ve experimented with hand position and it has become a bit more comfortable. I played it for nearly two hours at a session last week and it’s a great session horn. After I got used to it I found that I could play it as nimbly as a high whistle.
Those Bleazies look great, but the toneholes on the low D seem awfully small. Does that whistle put out as much volume as ordinary low D’s with big toneholes?
I do not have a dB meter so I cannot tell for sure. It seems to be at least nearly as loud as my Overton though. That is a subjective eval though.
For the playing I mainly do though it is quite loud enough and the sound is butter in the air!!! My wife calls it my “seducer.” That is good enough for me.
With a wood fipple and a wood body wouldn’t the Bleazy sound like a recorder? Just curious.
Update: That Low D Bleazy looks sweet, but at nearly $600 I’ll pass. I’ve got my eye on the Burke Viper. And the exchange rate from Utah to Illinois is a lot better than the one from Utah to England!
Burke makes an “EZ” low D that requires less of a finger stretch on the low hand.
I found the Copeland low D to be one of the most comfortable whistles to play due to the narrow tube and slightly closer fingerhole spacing.
Have you played the “EZ”? I wonder how it compares in sound, etc. to the regular Viper. And the Copeland for that matter…
Bonnie, congrats on the Viper!!! I still love mine. It’s still a bit tiring on the hands to play due to the very large tube and slightly wider upper-hand stretch than usual. I’ve experimented with hand position and it has become a bit more comfortable. I played it for nearly two hours at a session last week and it’s a great session horn. After I got used to it I found that I could play it as nimbly as a high whistle.
Have you had a chance to play a Howard? If so, what did you think of it? Do you know how it compares to the Viper. I own a Howard Low D and I’m having difficulty with it. Can’t seem to cover the holes without a death grip and I’m not using my fingertips. I’m using a piper’s grip.
It would be nice if I lived near or new of somebody nearby who had experience in these matters, but it’s fun to explore on my own, too. A bit expensive, but fun.
Gee, that was me last week.
