I’ve been learning to play the flute for the past 3 or 4 months after playing whistle for about 4 years.
I’m quickly finding then after long periods of time working only with the flute that when I go back to the whistle I’m really looking for more back pressure than I used to like.
Do others who play flute as well as whistle find this to be true?
just curious…
-Brett
Yup. 'Haven’t found a whistle with as much back pressure as I’d like. (Any recommendations?)
Syn.
–James
Brett, what kind of whistle do you play?
Brett, what kind of whistle do you play?
I’ve had quite a few whistles over the years but my current whistles are an Oak body with Retro-Fit Head and a complete PVC whistle, both made by Gary Humphrey. They’re both great whistles and have more back pressure than any of the cheaper whistles.
I have a Goldie Overton Alto F whistle on its way to me next week. This will be my first Overton and I’m guessing it will give me some significant back pressure. 
At one time I had a Grinter high D whistle with lot’s of back pressure. I sold it because it was too much work to play, but I bet I’d like it now.
-Brett
Flute players create their own back pressure with their embouchure, so that makes sense.
hmmm, i’ve never played any of those whistles. i’m pretty well wedded to copelands (hi & low d, and c). my intuition is that copelands have very little back pressure. they’re perhaps harder to play because of this, but the the benefit may be a little bit more range of playability and responsiiveness, although again this is intuition speaking not experience.
i’m weird tho in that i treat my flute like a bit fat whistle. it’s a low d whistle that happens to me made outta wood and has a strange fipple.
What is backpressure, anyway? I never got the concept. My favourite whistles are Water Weasel and Silkstone alloy. Do these have backpressure?
Backpressure refers to when you are blowing air through the whistle, you feel a little bit of pressure or resistance. The opposite of back is that air blows freely through the whistle without any resistance at all.
It is good to have a certain amount of backpressure as it gives better control. Most whistles with backpressure usually have gradual spike shaped windways (there are exceptions though).
Seery. Desi Seery refuses to make it an easier blow, as it is intended for flute players.
Kevin Krell
Then,if theres whistle with almost no backpressure,we are supposed to create our own on that whistle like the case on flutes as brewerpaul said?
No, I just like good whistles, with or without.
A whistle is a whistle, a flute a flute.
I find the same to be true with me Brett. If I have been playing the flute for a time and I go and pick up the whistle, I almost have the tendency to over blow and have to really watch the wind. I play a Burke Pro Brass D and there is some back pressure but not enough to keep me from overblowing sometimes.
MarkB
Or you could… get an Overton!
Chris