I’m looking to learn the low D whistle. I fell in love with this beautiful haunting sound quite some time ago and would actually like to begin learning. I already sing and play the piano and would love to add this to my list!
Problem is, there seems to be so many conflicting opinions out there of the best to get and what not to get for small hands and the question of whether it should be tunable or non tunable.
I have read that before you start on a low whistle you should first learn the soprano d, but is there a way around this, a good overall whistle to choose?
I want a good quality whistle with a rich and dark sound and am willing to spend up to £80 for now.
I would really like to try one out before I buy but I can’t seem to find a store in London that do these!
No one has explained the full mystical theory of why a person should play a soprano whistle before a low whistle.
I doubt that you started piano on the far right of the keys, and no one says a person has to play piccolo before a flute. The way around the theory is to buy a low D first. If a low D is what you want you should have it.
I’d start between the two: Bb. It’s lower, mellower, and less irritating to family and friends. And it gets you started. Generation’s Bb will cost you a tenth the price of a so-so low-D.
If you like it, and decide to move up (down) from there, consider saving a bit more and go for a really good low-D. Something like an MK, Burke, Colin Goldie, etc… It will sound better, and probably be a lot easier to play, too. You get what you pay for in low-D whistles.
Tommy, I’m with you. I started on a low D last year, and since have moved to playing soprano D as well, as playing low D got me interested in playing traditional music. So I don’t see why one couldn’t start with a low whistle.
Lexbrooke, your price range will limit your choices, since low whistles are expensive. You can find plastic whistles for £80, but not many metal, if any. There isn’t a best whistle: people are going to suggest what they prefer, not necessarily what you will like.
There is a shop in London with whistles, Hobgoblin Music, east of Hyde Park on Rathbone St. They stock Kerry, Chieftain and Howards. The first two are way beyond your range and Howards start at £120. I did see that they are selling off a Howard model and have two at £85. At least you could stop in, talk with the staff there and get a feel for the low D. Don’t worry about getting the perfect whistle - if you’re like the majority here you’ll end up buying a number of them anyway.
I started on low whistle after giving up on high whistle. I am happy with my progress. I have since started playing the high whistle more, and I can see why people might recommend starting with a high whistle. It is easier. But if, like me, you are motivated more by the low pitch, then that motivation will more than make up for the extra difficulty.
Check out the many threads on the ‘Pipers Grip’. Especially those started by MTGuru. Essential technique. Since you have not started, make sure you choose wisely which hand goes on top…
You can get a new Tony Dixon plastic low whistle for just under £80. Tony and his wife are great people to deal with (as, it seems, are most, if not all, of the whistle makers). He is based in Bideford, Devon. If you are in Britain (I am assuming so because you quoted your limit in GBP) then you could have the whistle in a matter of days. I have never played one of his standard low D’s so I cannot vouch for them. Search the forum for a review.
I think you can start with whichever key whistle ticles your fancey, High or Low. As for which Low whistle save for a top shelf model and buy that. Your hobgoblin idea is a good one, see if you can get someone to play a few different whistles to pick the most pleasing sound to you perhaps. I prefer my Goldie but I haven’t tried anything other than a Howard Low D. Susato’s look like they’ve been belted with the ugly stick a few times, I don’t like the look and I’m shallow enough to have that put me off buying one. Apparently they sound fine though.
That’s my tuppence worth anyway.
Mick
P.s Buy a tunable even if you never need to use the function, it’ll be there if you do or if you on sell to someone else who will.
I’ve reccently bought a low D. It’s a very different beast to a high D so if low D is where you want to start then go for it. I’ve got a Dixon Low D Tuneable (£65 + p&p from Big Whistle). As a starter low whistle to see if I get on with it it’s pretty good.
There are two Dixon Low D’s in this price range.
The DX012 is made from Polymer G (ca. £ 60). I have started with it an it’s a good start.
The DX102 has a Polymer head and a aluminium body (ca. £ 87). Personally I would prefer it.
You can get them from Tony http://www.tonydixonmusic.co.uk/catalogue/dixonshop.html.
Both whistles are very comfortable to play, they are easy to grip.
I want a good quality whistle with a rich and dark sound and am willing to spend up to £80 for now.
In matters of sound I would choose the Kerry Low D. They have a wonderful sound. Hobgoblin have them on offer for £69. Just stick in and try it.
If you want to play the low whistle, then start with it. Motivation is the motor to progress. And it’s hard to have fun, if you practice on a instrument you don’t like.
I had to learn Latin in school. By that time they said: “It makes it easier to learn french or italian later”. I didn’t like Latin and have forgotten anything. And never learned french or italian. But maybe I could speak with french people, if I had learned french.
Sometimes the way is is the destination. But sometimes simply the destination is the destination…
I own a Howard Low D, a Dixon Polymer Low D, and a Susato Low D. They are all nice instruments in my opinion. The Dixon is the most novice friendly I think and has a nice low whistle sound. The Howard is well made, has a great foggy sound, but is a bit harder to play than the Dixon. The Susato is really nice for the price. It is a bit harder to play than the Dixon and a bit harder than the Howard for me to play. I use the piper’s grip on all three given that I have small hands for a man. My wife and daughter’s hands are the same size as mine. I am 5’8" tall and wife is about 5’1" and daughter about 5’2" or 5’3". I am learning to play the bagpipe practice chanter and has actually help my whistle piper’s grip even though fingers are fairly different. I hope this helps. These darn whistles are not cheap and are hard to find. Seeking advice and research are a very useful thing. Good luck.
+1 for the Dixon poly/aluminum low D. I have one and it is a very easy whistle to play, nice sound, in tune and very well balanced across the octaves. I have meduim sized hands and use a piper’s grip. Dixon’s polymer whistles are nice but have a sound that is not very complex; some people like that, some don’t. The Dixon aluminum low D has a nice, rich sound. I can’t speak for the pricier whistles or compare them to the Dixon, but the DX102 an excellent whistle at any price and in your price range.
FWIW, I probably would have started on a low whistle if I had known anything about them - I did start on the tenor recorder (same pitch as the low whistle) and had no trouble.
