Beginner here. I didn’t quite realize the reach required for low whistles. I am learning the piper’s grip but it’s awkward for me (67 year old lady, Bari sax & Boehm flute player). I also didn’t know that evidently I have smallish hands. Anyway I own a low D Howard and an angled head low D from Dominic. What other whistles are available that would have close hole fingering in low keys? I appreciate your guidance.
Carbony has a low D with close spacing, though it’s pricey ($600).
And Howard (in case you overlooked it when you got yours) has a low D with a key for the bottom hole.
Otherwise, if you’re open to other keys, an F or even E whistle might be worth considering.
Cheers
stiofan
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Thank you so much! Yes I did overlook the Howard with the key. I didn’t even think about it. Live and learn, I guess. It is forcing me to learn piper’s grip so there’s something good coming from this. Thanks for taking time to assist me! Much appreciated!
You’re welcome. As I’m sure you know from the other instruments you play, holding your hands and fingers as relaxed as possible is oh so important. A lot of newcomers to the low whistle tense up their hand/fingers because of how the fingers cover the holes. It takes practice, but I’m sure you’ll catch on soon.
Here are a few tutorials that might be of help:
Blayne Chastain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nca0OT5e6yI
Sean Cunningham: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr2f64Ey5zU&t=83s
Tamsin Elliot (Howard Music): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QWXZdk-iE8
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Susato makes Low Whistles with keys for the ring finger of each hand, the fingers that cover holes 3 and 6, the most out-of-place holes on Low Whistles.
They say they offer multiple keys for $35 each, well worth it. Looks like the lower key might be standard on the Low D.
They also used to make angled heads for their Low Whistles which greatly reduced the arm-stretch.
So if you could find an old Susato Low D with angled head and both keys it would be possibly the most ergonomic Low D available that had relatively large well-spaced holes for a big tone and even voicing.
Kelischek Pennywhistles – Kelischek Workshop
Here’s an old listing for a 2-key Low D (the thing sticking out to the side is the thumb-rest, ordinarily it would be on the back)
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Fascinating! My goodness, I thank you for taking time to respond and send this great information. Now I’m on the hunt for this whistle! It sounds like this would work well for me. I have a whistleSmith low D that is pretty good. I can make the stretch fairly easily. My Howard low D and the Dominic ones are a little more difficult. Anyway, I’m enjoying the journey and the investigation of these whistles. Again thank you so much for sending me this great information. Much appreciated.
Pancelticpiper, I want to thank you once again. I got in touch with Susato this evening and I am ordering a low D whistle with two keys. This makes me very happy. Your assistance was invaluable!
You’re very welcome!
I used to own Susatos in every key from High D to Low C and I felt that the Low Whistles, the Low D and huge Low C, were fine players.
I have big hands, and am a piper, I’ve always used the ergonomic piper’s grip, and have no need for keys on big whistles. But finger stretch aside, there are good acoustic reasons for having Hole 3 and Hole 6 be full-size holes located in the proper places on the tube.
It’s why Boehm developed his flute with evenly-spaced full-size holes, all covered with keys to make the finger positions comfortable: you get a big full tone out of every hole.
Very good know. I learn so much from friends like you. My goal is to master piper’s grip and I’ll do that. I see the need. I also see other female players using this grip and playing fluidly so I can too. I can’t imagine I have smaller hands as I’m an average sized lady. Having the keys should allow me to enjoy learning and playing the low D right away. That’s my thinking for now anyway. Much appreciated and have a nice day!
Thanks!
When I switch between various sizes of whistle I’m not consciously changing the “grip” but I do, as can be seen here.
I go all the way down to a Bass A whistle.
(I receive no money from YouTube.)
I’m late to the party here, but in case you do see this, I got a Carbony low D for Christmas and it has hardly left my lips! Lol! I am a small woman and was never able to make a low D work for me before, even with piper’s grip. The Carbony is easy! It is spendy, but i consider it well worth being able to finally play a low D.
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Thank you whistle friends. I got it touch with Mr Kelischek and he is no longer making whistles with keys and is retiring so unless I can find a used Low D with keys I am out of luck. I’m watching the Irish Flute Store restock listings and other sites like FB so hopefully I can find what I want. Otherwise I’ll go with Carbony I think. Thanks again for all of the assistance and guidance.
According to their website, FolkFriends (in Germany) has one in stock, list price $286.83 + 15% tariff fee. That’s a higher price than you would have paid directly through Kelischek, but it is available if you’re willing to spend the money.
https://folkfriends.com/en/Susato+Kildare+Low+D±+two±+piece+with+2+keys.htm
However, this note appears on the header of the site, so I’d check to make sure whether or not they’re taking orders (might be outdated): ‘Unfortunately, due to illness, we are currently unable to accept orders!’
Did George say if he was closing the Kelischek Workshop, or if he has someone taking it over?