I bought a cool bamboo whistle today. It’s a beast - it’s in the key of A below low D. It has a nice tone and is almost perfectly in tune. Almost. That’s the problem. The second lowest note is a little sharp, but I can fix that by partially covering the hole below it. The lowest note is flat, and if I try to half-cover that hole, it squeaks terribly. Happily, everything else is good.
Is there anything I can do to fix the lowest note? Or am I just stuck playing songs that don’t use it?
-Kathleen
saw off and/or file down the end
You don’t say WHERE you bought it.
If you bought it from a barrel or bin at a State Park or old-timey festival, then what Denny said.
If you bought it from a maker CALL him/her first. Especially if it’s an expensive whistle, most makers are anxious to make it right. All good makers are.
If you saw some of the end off put tape around it first to help keep it from splintering. Then cut it with a fine tooth hack saw blade. Put the blade in the saw frame backwards and use a miter box to hold the bamboo. Then pull the saw with little pressure and it will make a smooth cut. If this is your first time doing this find some other bamboo to practice with first.