I am looking for a high D whistle for my 10 year old son to begin playing on. I am looking for a larger bore with larger holes because he has touch sensory problems and I fear that the normal sized high D’s may be too small for his nerve endings to fully feel. Can someone recommend a larger high D? Thanks.
I think Impepes have larger holes, but I’m not positive.
Of the several D whistles I have, the Susato and Syn have the largest holes. Good luck. Ron
Check with Michael Cronnolly of M&E Flutesand see if he still makes these.
The tubing is 3/4 inch polymer. The tone holes are almost as large (a few are larger) than those on my Seery Pratten-model flute.
Explain to Michael why you want it–normally these were very loud whistles, but he sent me a second fipple for it which was much more softly voiced. If he will still make these, I think it’s what you’re looking for.
–James
My Granite Falls Manufacturing whistle has large holes (and is tuneable) - not sure how much you’re looking to spend…
Pat
The issue isn’t the size of the holes, per se. The issue is making the hole positions more tactile.
Here’s one goofy idea: Get some loose leaf adhesive reinforcements from a stationery or office supply store. The kind shaped like little white rings, to keep loose leaf paper holes from tearing. Stick one over each whistle hole, carefully centering the holes. If that’s not tactile enough, use 2 or more reinforcements per hole; the chimney depth of the holes is unaffected. For more texture, you could even glue a sprinkling of fine sand or salt to the reinforcements.
It’s an cheap experiment to try with an inexpensive whistle, before spending $$$ unnecessarily just for bigger holes, which may or may not do the trick. The reinforcements are always removable and/or replaceable. If your son’s problem is not too severe, reinforcing just the two smallest holes (usually T1 and B1) may be enough.
BTW, I and others have noticed that the Feadóg Pro whistles seem to have sharper-cut hole edges than other similar whistles, and are definitely more tactile. I suppose you could try lightly chamfering the holes of any whistle by sanding or filing the edges for the same effect. And yes, Susato S-bore whistle holes are slightly larger than, say, a Generation or Feadóg.
Lack of touch sensitivity isn’t necessarily an insurmountable obstacle. Playing larger whistles with piper’s grip involves sealing the holes with the finger joints, which are much less sensitive than the tips. But for most players, the feedback loop between ear and eye (in mirror) and muscle memory takes care of position problems with a bit of practice, despite the reduced feeling.
Good luck!
Thanks all. I’ll look into those and the finger touching tip.