I’m thinking about buying a lower-pitched whistle for playing by myself. I have a Clarke C which is what I started whistle with, and I really like the lower pitch; it’s more soothing than the D model. I have been playing a D whistle for years, on the off-chance that I’ll find a session that’s convenient to attend. I think that’s a forlorn hope for now.
So, what would some of you recommend for a lower-pitched whistle, as well as some makers of the same? I like less-expensive, and especially since I’m not sure which pitch I will like best. I can pick up Generations in lower pitches inexpensively. What are some others? I could go as high as $80-100 for one.
I really like Bb. I have a couple Gen’s from mid-80’s. Just wonderful.
I also love C. I have a few. My favorite is a Feadog my wife picked up during a trip to Scotland. I have O’Brien… A Park… A Susato… And a very early Impempe… All joys to play…
My advice… Either key is good… Start cheap and work your way up… Or…
Play the C you love, don’t change a thing… And have a lot of fun.
I agree with jiminos — try a few and see what you like.
A little out of the way for many perhaps, but my favorite mid-tonality whistle is an ancient Barnet & Samuelson in G. It’s one of the old cylindrical brass jobbies with safety-treated lead block. Sweet sounding and mellow.
Can be found fairly inexpensively from time to time on Ebay.
I’ve also a nice Perri in C (aptly named “The Old Orange Flute”) that sounds nice. And an odd whistle or two in A. I like whistles in D & G best, though.
I like A, which can also play in D giving a different timbre to your tunes, or G, which can also play in C. Both are enough larger to give you a very different sound without the stretch of a low D.
I find myself reaching for the Freeman Blackbird C. It’s a gentle instrument and my pets don’t seem to mind, whereas, they act troubled at times when I play the D. Generation Bb, straight out of the box is my next choice for playing alone.
I enjoy playing an A sometimes and a generation Bb. The lower tones are pleasant sometimes. The generation has a similar air requirements to the ds and cs I’ve played. I had a Dixon polymer Bb and wasn’t in love and found myself spontaneously giving it away one day. It did make that person very happy. The sound is nice for slow airs, but it took a lot of air for a Bb whistle. This has to do with the size of the bore. It has a nice airy tone to it, but you need to be ready to supply the air. For faster tunes I liked the generation Bb more since it seemed to have similar air requirements to the ds. I have a MK low F on order and am looking forward to the sound of that. Again, with the larger bore of a low whistle I expect to provide a lot of air.
I’ve also enjoyed playing an “A”, of course the concept of playing by yourself opens you up to any key…it’s when your playing with others that restrictions are applied.
For faster tunes I liked the generation Bb more since it seemed to have similar air requirements to the ds. I have a MK low F on order and am looking forward to the sound of that. Again, with the larger bore of a low whistle I expect to provide a lot of air.