Hi!
Have you ever had to really struggle to get to the top of the 2nd octave on the Bb?
I also have a Generation C, which works fine in comparison. Am I just imagining things, or do I need to improve my technique? The 2nd octave always sounds like it’s playing both the 1st and 2nd octave notes together.
What do you think?
Generation Bb whistles used to be reliably great. Unfortunately they have changed the mould, or something, and most of the new ones I’ve tried recently have problems like the one you describe, to a greater or lesser extent.
You may be able to improve things somewhat by shaving microscopic slivers off the ramp and blade with a scalpel or artist’s knife. But you might not.
In which case, back to the music shop, and insist on trying before you buy!
Alternatively you could try returning the whistle to the shop as a dud and ask for your money back, or one that works properly…
I bought a Generation Bb, had the problem you have and bought another: same problem. Arghghghgh. Very frustrating with the split octaves!
I have the exact same problem with my first generation Bb. And the middle D is very temperamental. The embarassing thing is, I got to try it out before I bought it!
I tried some modest tweaks, but nothing helped, so I just rolled the dice and ordered another online. The second one is fine.
Bill
The Generation Bb has a poor bore design. In order to get the toneholes closer together for finger comfort,Generation made the tube diameter a little too large.The wide mouth voicing adds to the problem.
With a large bore diameter,a player sometimes can’t get enough internal pressure to sound the upper notes of the second octave.
FIX: Use a needle-nosed pliers and slowly bend the end of the bore inwards. Make small smooth bends as you work your way around the edge until you reduce the bore end opening by about 1/8th inch(across). Test the whistle. If the problem still exists,reduce the bore opening by 1/4th inch(across). This will flatten the lower notes of the first octave but blowing harder on these notes will compensate. The result of this “tweak” will give greater acousic capacitance and stronger notes in the upper octave. It won’t work magic,but it will improve performance of the Bb Generation.
Note: Make sure you remove any burrs/fuzz etc. from the voicing area,incuding the leading edge of the ramp,before you attempt this tweak. A smooth,not sharp, lower lip where the air comes out of the windway to cross the window, will improve octave “flip”.
Thomas Hastay.
Thomas is this the fipple end or the bell end that you suggest we reduce? Thanks - Joel
I have a nickel Generation Bb with which I have THE LEAST trouble of all my tubes in the second octave, so I must have picked a cherry amongst a crop of lemons! A leftover old one, perhaps? Of course, I’ve got a lot of hot air to get it there! My only complaint is that it has such large holes and I have relatively small hands, so I must use a modified piper grip to avoid making the Bb note sound like an elk call!
I’m sorry I wasn’t clear B.B., The bore must be bent at the opposite end from where you blow. 