Is a "High D" whistle the same as a "Soprano

Whistle
1

What would be considered to be a “regular” whistle?

Thanks,
Dwight

:confused:

2

Yes, we consider Soprano and High D to be synonyms.

3

And that would probably be what you mean by “regular whistle.” Most of the whistles you see or hear played are probably Soprano Ds.

Redwolf

4

This has come up a number of times on C&F. The concensus appears that Soprano ‘regular whistle’ usually is the same as a high D whistle.

Soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto, tenor, baratone, bass, contra-bass terms reflect ranges across multiple keys and instruments. When using these term the first that comes to mind for me is voice. Several makers have applied the terminology to whistles, For example one maker’s nomenclature as applied towards stratisphere to sub-basement ranges:

  • HIGH WHISTLES
    • Soprano - F
      Soprano - E
      Soprano - E flat
      Soprano - D
      Soprano D flat
      Mezzo-Soprano - C
      Mezzo-Soprano - C
      Mezzo-Soprano - B
      Mezzo-Soprano - B flat
      Mezzo-Soprano - A
      LOW WHISTLES
    • Alto - G sharp
      Alto - G
      Alto - F sharp
      Alto - F
      Tenor - E
      Tenor - E flat
      Tenor - D
      Tenor - D flat
      Baritone - C
      Baritone - C sharp
      Baritone - B
      Bass - B flat
      Bass - A
      Bass - G

occasionally high F, F#, and G whistles are called soprannino.

Some folks don’t use Mezzo-soprano and have soprano run down to Bb and Alto start at A. There is no solid rule about this naming custom, so folks usually supply both range and key to describe the whistle. For example, if I have an A whistle, and I call it mezzo-soprano or alto or high, its clearly not the Bass A monster LOW whistle.

Hope this helps to clarify the terms so you can …

5

Yes! Bass low A’s what fun these are ifin you haven’t played one :sunglasses: you havn’t play anything,they make low D seem small. :astonished:

6

Or at the other extreme, how the hell does anyone play a high G? I have a Gen high G and the thing is almost too small for me to play at all, let alone at any speed. As a guitar and bass player I have lamented for years the small size of my hands… so how on earth would a guy wid large hands cope? Probably have to sub-contract the whistle part of a tune out to a leprechaun (sp?) or something…