I am a beginner whistle player learning how to play the Low D whistle on my own, using instructional whistle books and the Internet tutorials. I have a Chieftain V3 Low D Tunable which I bought a while back.
I am still at the stage of practicing playing the various scales. While I seem to be able to play B, A and G pretty ok, ie sound correct, I can’t quite hit the D, F and E correctly…especially the D and they sound awful…instead of sounding lower, they sound squeaky and higher!
At first I thought it was the hole spacing or my fingers not being able to cover the holes properly but using the pipers grip, these don’t seem to be the problem. From what I can observe, my fingers can reach and seal all the holes with the pipers grip.
I doubt if it’s a problem with my Chieftain, or perhaps it may be…or could it be my blowing that is not right…overblowing or lacking air? Not the right blowing pressure?
What you describe is almost certainly a leaky fingering of the third hole down - i.e. the bottom left hand finger. Very unlikely to be a problem with the whistle itself.
I agree with killthemessenger that it’s very likely to be a leaky finger placement somewhere, but I think it could be any of them. Depends exactly how you’re holding the thing. I also agree that it’s very unlikely to be the fault of the whistle.
So, I have a practical suggestion: for a whole day, practice playing very slowly first the B, on its own, then the B followed by the A, moving very slowly between the two notes, then the B followed by the A followed by the G, again moving very slowly between notes, and then the B, followed by the A followed by the G followed by the F#. Don’t bother to go any lower the first day. Then, next day, extend that pattern down to the E and the day after extend it down to the D bottom note.
This may all sound laborious, but it will be worth it in the end, and it is the sort of thing you have to do when you first start trying to play low whistle. Personally, even though I know there are people who start on low whistle, I wouldn’t advise it. I think it’s much better to learn how to play high D whistle first, and only then try to play the low D.
Yup-- leaky fingers.
Do you already play the high D whistle? Many people find it easier to move to low D having learned the basics on a smaller instrument. You might also consider a middle range whistle like an A as a step downwards to the low D.
Breath control on those low notes is pretty delicate. If the note sounds high, you’re probably blowing too hard.
Another exercise once you get the leak fixed: Cover all the holes and blow as softly as you can, gradually increasing until get a nice Low D. Then keep increasing the air until it slides into a high D. Then back off the pressure and have it slide back down. This was recommended to me by Colin Goldie and it really helped me to find that optimal breath pressure on my Low D.
I still struggle with my Low D so I ordered a Low F to see if that goes better. I’ll still use the Low D for slow airs but for fast tunes I intend to use the F.
And if you’re still not convinced that it’s a leak, try taping over the lower holes, one at a time, but first thing is to get really comfortable with just playing the G A and B.
Thanks for all the advice given. Yes I don’t think its any problem with the whistle, its just me…definitely I will try out the exercises suggested…hopefully there will be some improvement…but for starters. back to G, A and B first!
Ha ha…yes, not in that order…I am also learning to play the concert C flute, and sometimes I start with the G scale first…then A, then B…then random…that’s why
Another idea: I have trouble with my Low D. I recently got a Low F and it’s much easier for me. I imagine after I get lots of practice on the Low F then the Low D will be easier. I hope. I don’t know if a Low F is in your budget or not, but if you find the D is really difficult you may enjoy the F.
Following all the advice given here, except buying a Low G (thanks very much to everyone!)…I am pleased to have made some progress…with pipers grip, now can quite comfortably play the scales B, A, G and F, and even in no particular order… no squeaky noises except once in a while when I have blown too hard…will start on E this weekend.
)
