My first post and I am new to whistles. I’ve just received my first three whistles (Elf song!) today and also have recently started playing my clarinet again but that’s another story I’m trying to not go too wild considering the cost of whistles in comparison to the clarinet hehe.
My children are now interested in the whistle but my whistles are too large for their fingers. Could you recommend some whistles that would be suitable and inexpensive for them? Please be gently as I’m still learning the differences between all the whistles
I would keep it simple with a basic generation, feadog, Oak, ect. Simple High D pennywhistle. My daughter is only 3 1/2 and can’t finger out the holes (pun intended) yet but she still loves to blow. If your kids fingers are to small for the regular grip, then teach them the pipers grip for now.
I’d recommend a Sweetone in D as a forgiving cheap first whistle for a child, but if that’s too big, then perhaps one of the higher pitched Generation whistles, although the F and G models are very shrill on the ear.
I second that recommendation for a Clarke Sweetone or Meg in D.
I did try the small higher pitched Generation with my granddaughter, but she had become used to the pitch of a Meg in D and found the new pitch of the G confusing even thought the fingering was easier for her; so it didn’t get used at all.
Ok, I have some good ideas. I was also having issues just checking online for size and usually it’s never stated. However, I suppose I could have asked by e-mail You also mentioned several I was looking into…Sweetone, Meg D etc. and yes, I did want to stay away from the high F and G for the kids (they are a bit older, age 10, 9 and 8 with the last two have really small hands)…I think my guinea pigs and dogs would have a fit hehe.
Regarding the pipers grip: that is a good idea! Of course, I had to check out youtube for what a pipers grip was but it would seem to allow my children to play without stretching their fingers as much since you use the second pad of your fingers. What did we do before youtube??
Right now I’m trying to tell myself to practice with what I have although the Blackbird and Mellow Dog are mighty tempting. You all are right; it’s a slippery slope
9 and 8 year olds should be fine - the stretch might take a little getting used to, but they can do it. My 7-year old can (but isn’t interested, too busy with harmonica) and the 11-year old can manage a Gen D no problem, uses pipers’ grip for my middle G and has had a good go at the low D. Unless they have hands like a three-year old, it’s just a question of relaxing and arranging their fingers. Pipers’ grip is a good idea, though covering the holes fully can be hard to get used to,
I’ll have to get them to try that when they get home. They want to clench their fists like they are holding an apple and I try to straighten their fingers out.
you could start by getting them to hold the whistle loosely between the left thumb and forefinger, both relatively “flat”, and covering the top hole only, when they’re relaxed doing that and can make a nice “b”, cover the next hole - still relaxed - and play a nice “a”. And so on?
