There’s a Dixon low A on e-bay. My whistling experience is limited to high Ds, though I know I’ll try a low whistle sooner or later. What do people think are the benefits and drawbacks of a low A, instead of what I would normally look at first – a low D?
TIA,
Tery
I have a Dixon Low A. It isn’t any longer than a Generation Bb, and I find the fingering easier, as the holes are smaller. The spacing is much the same, but the bore is wider. You shouldn’t need to use pipers grip for this, where I do have to for a low F or D.
I find this a good travel whistle, if I want to avoid the shrillness of a high D, though a Dixon high D is not overly shrill.
The Dixon Low D is very nice, but I couldn’t get one in my Chinos.
So basically, if you want something mid-range in pitch, and not overly expensive, this is a nice whistle.
One small fries short of a Happy Meal…
[ This Message was edited by: Martin Milner on 2002-07-22 11:41 ]
I am a fan of A whistles. They are especially useful when working in harmony with a D whistle. One can play in the same key, easily, but at the same time have a totally different timbre, and a few extra useful notes at the bottom of the range. IMHO, the A is a winner.
Cheers.
Byll
I just got a Dixon A over the weekend (borrowed, but I definitly will get one) and I have to say, this is the nicest whistle I’ve played yet. Beautiful, flutey tone, not too loud, and not too breathy. Air requirements not noticeably tough (no gasping for breath at the end of songs).
The A fingering is also so easy (esp if you have small hands like me) that I’m thinking of getting bold and maybe even trying a F or G. I know I’ll never get to a low D, but hey, I play mostly alone so I can play in any key I want.
If you’re thinking about Dixon and are on the fence, JUST DO IT. I am picky and I am delighted with this whistle.
I have a Dixon (tunable) G, and will probably get a Dixon A. From the way the Dixon A is described in this thread, I would apply the same comments to the G. If you like your Dixon A, go ahead and get the G. With it, you can accompany both C-playing keyboardists and G-playing guitarists with relative ease.
How’s the finger spread on the G? The A is still pretty doable, but I know sometimes there’s a jump between keys and the spacing can really differ…
I,ve previously mentioned that i have a Susato ‘A’,which i don’t play much, due to the large sixth hole,and it’s(oh no!)‘recordery’ sound.Maybe i will re-evaluate it one day…On the other hand,my Dixon ‘F’,gets played pretty regularly,and is a real pleasure to play.So…,on that evidence i reckon the Dixon should be a ‘goodun’,certainly worth strongly considering if you are wanting to purchase a first alto whistle.
On 2002-07-29 14:47, Kar wrote:
How’s the finger spread on the G? The A is still pretty doable, but I know sometimes there’s a jump between keys and the spacing can really differ…
Not bad. I don’t have to use a piper’s grip, and my hands are relatively small (I can play a Generation high-G).
I love my Dixon A. Goes well with the singers in our group as they sing low. My whistle has a sort of haunting sound to it.
Slightly off topic - is there a whistle key that will play in harmony with a D, using the same fingerings as a D? For example, in SLC we played Sally Gardens, and Tom was able to come up with a really nice harmony.
Avanutria: Interesting…My band also does Sally Gardens in D - and we do it with a whistle duet. Same fingering? I don’t know how that would work. However, using an A whistle, as I do, with my partner’s D, works beautifully. The different timbre makes for a really interesting sound… Since the fingering for a d note on an A whistle is XXXOOO, a harmony part is easy to transfer, intellectually, from a D mindset to an A mindset…
For what it is worth, my partner plays a Parkhurst D, and I usually play an A built by our mutual friend, Mack…
The best to you.
Cheers.
Byll
I like my Dixon Low A…, but I like the Bb and Low D better.
I don’t think he used the same fingering but I was curious if it could be done.