Has anyone ever file around holes on metal low D whistles so that the holes are tappered and hopefully a little less painful to finger and maybe even easier to create a good seal. If so how much do you file and did it help.
Joe
Filing holes will change the tuning so know what you are getting yourself into.
Peter,
I am talking about thick metal Low D, where the surface can be tapered but the inter diameter would stay the change.
Joe
All things considered…
tapering the holes would allow your fingers to sit deeper into the holes, thus changing the tuning. Even if the hole diameter remains the same, expect a change. Some may argue to what extent becomes a significant difference, no telling for sure, but I support Peter Laban’s warning.
I suggest you contact the whistle maker for some suggestions.
Tony,
Isn’t the tuning more related to the size of the hole when not fingered (which will remain the same).
Joe
On 2002-01-30 12:25, jmssmh wrote:
Peter,I am talking about thick metal Low D, where the surface can be tapered but the inter diameter would stay the change.
Joe
But Peter is still correct, Joe. Tapering the hole would change the length of the “chimney” or depth of the hole and will have at least a slight effect on the tuning.
David
Are you talking about lightly easing the edges (tiny radius) of the holes or making a bevel so the fingers can sit deeper into the hole ?
The obvious difference is for the covered holes, but there might even be a difference for the uncovered holes because the air might stream differently. If I am not mistaken, chamfering the inside edge of fingerholes will affect tone and pitch (not sure about pitch) b/c air streams out of the tube with less resistance. (And always check your cheapos for burrs inside the tube.)
Tony, Peter and David are correct, even the slightest easing of the edge of the toneholes will affect the pitch of the hole.
When you ease the edge, the resistance to the air escaping from that hole is changed. A slight ease or round over will slightly change the pitch and a larger bevel will affect the pitch to a greater degree.
So be careful!
Ronaldo
[ This Message was edited by: Reyburnwhistles on 2002-01-30 14:36 ]
Well I just file the edge off the holes and it did not change the tone and the whistle is still in tune. Fingering is a little less painful but I don’t think it made a better seal either.
Joe
Chimney height especially comes into play in flutes and uilleann chanters, because of the thickness of the bodies on these beasts. I’ve found that bevelling the holes doesn’t change the tuning significantly on a thin walled (.065 or less) instrument, but doesn’t make it easier to seal the hole unless you skew the bevel in the direction you finger lies in while playing. There’s always the possibility that you’ll create extra turbulence around the hole, which will soften the sound or add “angry” overtones. Sure looks cool, though, when you polish a whistle after bevelling the holes!
. Sure looks cool, though, when you polish a whistle after bevelling the holes!
I bet it does
Dan