Is it me or the (low) whistle?

Whistle
1

Hi Folks,

Just acquired a new low whistle - I’ll won’t mention the maker just yet - and am very pleased with the low register and the next notes up to high G. However, both the high A and the B are very flat (and thus almost impossible to “bend back up” by increasing air pressure), and I am wondering whether it’s just me or whether it’s the whistle.

While I am by no means an expert on the low whistle, I have played flute (incl. Irish) and “high” whistle for many years now, and believe that I can spot a flat instrument when I see one.

However, given the fact that, despite my experience on other “blown pipes”, I am obviously going to need some practice to get an acceptable sound out of the whistle in general - because of piper’s grip, different response comp. to a high whistle/flute for ornaments and a few other things - I have considered the possibility that those two notes might be “gnomes” (to use a term from the great flute tutor Trevor Wye) and hence in need of special attention on the low whistle.

Any experienced low whistlers out there who can give me an idea of where the problem lies?

(And yes, while I don’t plan to make forays into the third octave, I would like to at least play up to an A and B on this thing :wink: )

2

It may be both. Difficult to know when not knowing the maker.

On my Overton low E I have to push much more into it than with other low whistles I’ve tried, for example - but it was just the matter of pressure.

3

Try to blow through the whole second octave. If it is in tune there, you are most likely the problem. When I went from a Susato low D to a Chieftain low D I was in the same situation as you are in now. Luckily I was aware that the whistle needed a bit more air, especially in the upper register of the first octave after watching a few videos. The susato was exactly the opposite. Very easy easy on the first octave, but required alot more in the upper register of the second octave. Just try to be very conscious of your air pressure, and give it a try.