I have a Songbird low D, and I’m quite satisfied with it. It has a little bit too high air requirements and maybe too little backpressure to my liking, but other than that it’s lovely to play. But I’m getting curious about the Chieftain low D.
Are there any great differences between these two? Can anybody who has tried both of them tell me the differences? Is the Chieftain less breathy? Does it has lower air requirements? Are there other differences?
I’ve never had any breathing issues with my Chieftain Low D. Being a low whistle obviously does require more air than a soprano whistle but it was an easy transition to make… I actually find it harder to play a stock Clarke original than my Chieftain. I haven’t played very many low whistles but the Chieftains I’ve played were definitely easy to play.
Hope this helps.
I have a Chieftain Low D and I don’t think it’s breathy at all.
The Wanderer has reviwed both with his usual thoroughness and expertise (soundclips included). Go to:
[http://www.tinwhistler.com/reviews.asp[url](http://www.tinwhistler.com/reviews.asp[url)]
The old-style Chieftain low D (haven’t played a new style) takes less air and was about the same loudness as the songbird, maybe a tad bit quieter. The songbird has more of a flute-like tone than the Chieftain, but the Chieftain has a flute-like sound on a couple notes. Of the two low Ds, I like the songbird more. I’ve heard the new Chieftains are stronger than the old style.
-Casey 