I’ve been at this for a short while. I started with a soprano D whistle, which I gave away, since it hurt my ears too much.
Then I bought a B flat generation whistle, and seem to be getting the hang of it. I like the lower sound of it, but the high notes are still “too piercing.” The notes above G (as if played on a “D” whistle) – A, B, and the occasional high C seem to be blowing my ears out.
Initially when learning, I played the high notes as “low” notes in the first register. However, after a few weeks of playing the high notes as written, my ears hurt, and I just went to the store to buy foam earplugs. However, I’d rather not wear earplugs, so what are my options?
give up whistle
try a “lower” whistle – A is so close to B flat, that I doubt there would be much difference, so perhaps a low G or low F. I don’t want to go to low D, since I want to play with the fingertips and avoid piper’s grip.
play the notes above high G an octave lower
Are some brands of whistles easier on the ears when playing high A and high B? If yes, suggestions specifically for a low G or F would be appreciated. These whistles are more expensive than the generation, so I don’t want to spend a couple hundred if it’s not going to solve the “hurt ears” problem.
What do you do to protect your ears – play an octave lower than written, wear earplugs, go with a lower keyed whistle, etc.?
My ears have always been sensitive to loud noises – e.g., I can’t go to the July 4th fireworks or experience a fire engine with siren on without ear pain.
I share your pain of high notes and loud noises, like fire engine sirens, etc. That is probably why I never got along with the high D’s much, unless I muted them with blue tack, among other methods of quieting whistles.
Mostly, I just play low D’s, but even they can get shrill into the upper end of the 2nd octave, and I’m not even remotely interested in any 3rd octave notes for that reason. So yes, I fold notes often, that are either too high or low even.
If you do a search on folding, you will find many results here, on quieter playing, etc that will help you find many answers to your query:
Though you could switch to low D conical flute, even some of the higher notes there will be shrill, but maybe not to the same extent as whistles with their cylindrical bore. I would still miss the whistle sound though, so I play both, but mostly low whistle now. You just need to find your own path, and what appeals to you most.
What kind of soprano D did you first have? It is not nescarily the pitch that hurts the hearing, rather it is the volume and the timbre.
Generally, low whistles are easier on the ears, but that does not mean high whistles can’t be,
I also have ears that hurt from playing some high whistles, but I have found some that suit me. You don’t necessarily have to get a low whistle. You can look for a quieter, sweeter and purer sounding high D.
I suggest trying out high D’s by Tyrone Head, Mack Hoover or by David o’brien. (The most affordable of which are from Mack.) My favorite is the whistle by Tyrone Head. All three makers produce whistles that are sweet and pure. The highest notes of a standard generation whistle hurts my ears, but these three can comfortably be played in the third octave without pain. I can even play them comfortably in my tiny apartment.
Ofcourse, there are a vast number of other options I have yet to try (for instance, Carbony offers a quiet model high D. I find their flutes and alto whistles work nicely, but I haven’t tried their high whistles).
You could also look up whistles by Carey Parks. They have a tone ring that allows you to adjust volume down to a quiet whisper. I haven’t tried this option yet though, but I read good things about them.
Use the search bar to look up muting techniques on high D’s. They are usually easy to do and very reversible, such as partially covering the window with blu tac or tape.
However if you really want to go low, I would suggest getting a Tony Dixon Polymer low G. It has a nice creamy/buttery quiet timbre. I think low G whistles are the lowest whistle that should be played with a finger-tip grip.
I would recommend as you’ve read here, contacting Mack Hoover and getting one of his small-scale brass D whistles. Easy to play and easy on the ears, and requires very little air. It will teach you a lot about playing. I think everyone should have one!
I’ve owned a lot of whistles since I started playing in 2006, and the loudest I had was a David Boisvert D that had a beautiful clear sound but was so loud it would nearly peel paint off the walls.
If you play in a confined space or a small room, then some kind of ear protection would be a must, I’d say.
I use a decent set of musician’s earplugs when playing whistle whether High D or Low D (since I get up into the 3rd octave on the latter) that knock off about 20dB, as I recall. Check out ProGuard https://www.proguarduk.co.uk/earplugs-group/category/61-custom-fit-music. Using earplugs you don’t lose tone like you do with some kind of mute. The sound is just filtered . . . like having your own compression:-)
Unless you’re playing with others (or with recordings), you’re not limited to playing a D whistle. You could get a quiet(er) whistle in Bb (a particularly nice whistle key, I think), and maybe use earplugs, too. I like these: http://www.etymotic.com/consumer/hearing-protection/er20.html
You can also resign from playing tunes that use the highest notes of the range. There are hundreds of kick-ass tunes that don’t go above F-s or G in the second octave. I don’t perceive whistles as 2-octave instruments like some other folks do. To reach a certain note doesn’t mean to play it nicely. And the majority of whistles don’t play nicely above the 2nd G. Moreover, the balance of the higher A, B and C is terrible in comparison to other notes. They are probably three times louder than in the first octave. I play MK low F which is the best whistle I’ve ever had but even this one is hurting my ears while playing the highest notes - it literally screams. So, instead of changing the instrument I’ve changed my approach:)
Geebawn,I grant you that second octaves are louder but I have no problem getting high notes without them screaming and nobody I’ve played in front of finds the notes piercing. Okay, I play a Goldie Low D, not a quiet whistle, but I’ve learned to use embouchure to restrict the air going into the whistle so that it goes in faster and higher notes can be obtained with less air and consequently less volume. I tend to wear earplugs but third octave E is still within the realms of being musical rather than screaming. Just a thought.
Poppycock! Of course they’re two-octave instruments…
I’m just not interested in whistles that don’t play the full two octaves comfortably and would regard any whistle that doesn’t ‘play nicely above the 2nd G’ and hasn’t been manufacturer-advised to be of somewhat specialist narrow range as defective. For sure, they all get louder as they go up (it’s physics!), but the biggest problem seems to be players who think there’s a problem with these notes when there’s not, coupled occasionally with makers who’re feeding that little vicious circle by giving them whistles which can’t do what they should.
If you must use earplugs, that sounds like a good idea. Otherwise (like you suggest) you’re just obscuring what you need for sensory feedback when I want/need to hear what I’m playing!
I mean no disrespect to Geebawn, but I strongly disagree with your statement regarding whistle range.
Whistles are meant to play at least 2 octaves. Should they not, it maybe due a bad whistle or usually a lack of practice. Keep on tootin and I am sure you can improve that upper register!
In fact, some whistles even shine in the upper second octave. With my favorite whistles, I get excited when a tune comes to the upper notes of the range. If you get to know a whistle well, those higher notes can sound nice, sweet and bird-like.
2 octaves is the minimum range you should be able to pull out of a proper whistle. Some really nice whistles will soar up to a third octave. It is only above that that notes become unbearable.
It is not all with the player though. You may have a dud. Mass produced whistles sometimes end up with poor voicing, where the upper notes sound brash. If that is the case, try a different whistle. I’m sure you will find one that will prove to you that whistles can soar beyond the two octave range.
While you are making a valid observation about whistles in general, it misses the point by a mile regarding those with hearing issues. I speak from experience. In my case the whistle matters not at all. Because I have hearing damage, the upper registers are painful to me without fail. Even the upper registers of low whistles can cause discomfort in some instances. If I must play or be next to a whistle, then the only solution for me is earplugs, and that is why I brought it up. Theoretical considerations matter little when immediate practical solutions are needed, and indeed are readily available. Our friend fipple123 needs solutions; he may have neither the finances nor the time to try every whistle out there.
Nanohedron, yes ofcourse. Apologies for drifting away from the topic a bit.
The intention of my post was to merely rebut the statement that “whistles should not be looked at as 2 octave instruments.”
Regardless of biological limitations, the full range is an integral part of the whistle sound. I, myself have sensitive ears, but I have found whistles that are exceptions to that. Practically any other whistle stings me in the upper range, but some like the Hoover narrow bore are a God-send.
Another solution… er, suggestion is to talk with your doctor about hearing issues and whistle playing. Maybe issue isn’t the whistle at all and something more important.
Dear guys, I’m afraid you don’t read carefully. I have never said that whistles can’t play higher than the 2nd G. I said that I don’t like the tone and and the volume of these higher notes (and I had majority of low D whistles available on the market and they were not so different in this respect), so I don’t perceive whistles as 2-octave instruments. It’s just my opinion. I know that it’s physics and I don’t like physics when it comes to whistles. I can play and sustain these notes - but I hate the fact that they are loud as hell and with a proper embouchure you can subtract a few decibels but if you lean back too much - the sounds will be flat - physics as well:)
Of course, one can play as many notes as he likes. I don’t like to:)
I have never said that whistles can’t play higher than the 2nd G. I said that > I don’t like the tone and and the volume of these higher notes (and I had majority of low D whistles available on the market and they were not so different in this respect), so I don’t perceive whistles as 2-octave instruments. > It’s just my opinion.
Agreed that’s just your opinion (to which you’re perfectly entitled), but you also said ‘the majority of whistles don’t play nicely above the 2nd G’ and ‘the balance of the higher A, B and C is terrible in comparison to other notes’ in a way that smacks more of objective fact. Except that it’s not!
Please seriously consider ytliek’s advice. I avoided seeking medical advice for far too long and, as a result, have permanent hearing loss and severe tinnitus which is exacerbated by any loud noise (whistles of any type, piano and concerts, and sirens top my list of triggers).
For me, noise cancelling headphones, earplugs, limiting exposure to loud noise, including my cherished whistles, and practicing on Parks adjustable volume whistles have helped. The instrument that causes me the least auditory distress is a classical guitar, but arthritis limits the ability to play.
The audiologist had specific suggestions which have been useful for reducing the tinnitus. Everyone is different, so the advice you receive should be tailored to your specific needs.
Take care of your hearing so you can continue to play to your hearts content as long as possible.
Nurse Froggy
They make small foam ear plugs for the shooting sports that are very affordable and will probably work well for you. “Volume” can be adjusted by how well they are seated.
They also make electronic sound blocking headphones for the shooting sports that allow you to adjust the ambient volume (as well as blocking sound above a certain dB level) that may work well for you.
I play both recorder and whistle. I realized very recently that some of the highest B, C#, and D notes on a high D whistle I cannot hear, at all or barely. I was practicing my scales and breath control on the high notes when I realized this and slowed down enough to realize that 1.) I was covering holes properly 2.) I was breathing properly 3.) I could hear when the notes squeaked because I could hear that, 4.) there really was a clean note being produced even though only barely audible to me.
