I’ve been learning to play low D on a Goldie for about a year now (with no previous experience of high whistles though I’ve been learning on a Mellow Dog for about three months). In many ways I am progressing . . . if I care to look back. My rolls, cuts etc are getting better and I can increasingly reach and play high second octave and even low third octave notes. And yet some days I pick up the Goldie and can’t play anything even struggling to get bottom D and cover holes properly. A few days later I’ll be playing so much better and so it’s discouraging when I have bad days when nothing goes right. My question is, is this normal . . . is learning a challenging musical instrument like the low whistle a non-linear journey with its ups and downs? I would love to hear people’s thoughts especially those regulars to the forum who teach whistle.
Hmmmm… Yes grasshopper you are normal. 
Keep on practicing for as long as it takes. Remember your motivation in that this is something you want to do. 
Not just that musical instrument, Mike, but all musical instruments and probably all new skills with any depth/complexity!
I’m going to disagree just a bit with Tommy and Peter.
Yes, of course, we all have good and bad days. You’re tired or distracted or your muscle tone just isn’t happening, especially if you’ve taken too long a break. That’s normal.
But what you’re describing doesn’t sound right to me. Just covering the holes properly and sounding every note of the whistle are things that should be locked in very early, within the first few days of learning. Unlike some instruments, whistle isn’t all that demanding of embouchure or fingering. Once you have it, you shouldn’t ever un-have it. So if you’re still inconsistent after a year of playing, something is wrong.
A few questions:
o When you pick up the Goldie, do you calibrate your grip by first planting your B3 finger on the hole, then putting all fingers down, pressing slightly, pausing, and making sure you can consciously feel every single hole under your fingers?
o When you start to play, do you run up and down D and G scales a few times, just to calibrate your breath pressure and finger movement? Play a few arpeggios? Noodle a few snippets from familiar tunes to make sure everything’s working?
Experienced players often go through this little calibration and diagnostic routine every time they pick up their instrument. It’s almost unconscious habit, so they don’t even think about it. And it takes only a few seconds, so you might not even notice or realize they’re doing it.
A beginner should take longer than a few seconds, of course, because things are not yet as automatic. But the purpose and effect are the same. You’re setting up the transition from a state of not-playing to the state of playing, and becoming one with the instrument. That may sound silly and metaphysical, but it’s really part of the practical Zen. Try it. 
Not sure that you are really when our replies were addressing specific quotes from Mike’s post!
Yes, of course, we all have good and bad days. You’re tired or distracted or your muscle tone just isn’t happening, especially if you’ve taken too long a break. That’s normal.
But absolutely nothing between us there…
Just covering the holes properly and sounding every note of the whistle are things that should be locked in very early, within the first few days of learning.
And maybe not a huge amount there, though perhaps I’d put days as optimistic for some (and you should have heard me struggling as an experienced wind player to nail the non-intuitive RH finger spacing on the SSP A chanter!).
Mikethebook,
I think your question is a great one and will pose some introspection for both new and seasoned low whistle players. I am not long into my transition to low whistle and currently play two different low D whistles, a low F, and a low G. Initially, the low D was giving me a degree of frustration, but I found that improvement is measured in time spent on the instrument. I would think based on my own experience as a high whistle player, that such experience certainly makes it easier than for someone who starts on low whistle, especially a D or lower. There are surely differences in high and low whistles, but there are also some similarities that I think aid in the a learning process in playing low whistle.
I too found that I had good and bad days initially and attribute some of that to fatigue and the lack of muscle memory resultant specifically from time on low whistle. I think that whistle specific drills such as playing scales, any tunes you know, and working on both fingering and breathing technique is paramount to any degree of success.
I think as implied by MTGuru, the process can really be overthought leading to greater frustration. His reference to Zen suggest that one just unite in playing the whistle and it should manifest itself as part of the journey to enlightenment in the form of successful whistle playing.
The important thing is not to view your low D whistle as a chore to overcome, but rather as a joyous path on which to hike, enjoying the journey along the way.
Cayden
In another life time I made my living teaching other people’s little darlings to play drums (and some not so little ones come to think on it), some would ask why I’d do that but there it is, I’ve confessed.
Every one of my students, literally hundreds of them over twenty or so years, would have absolutely horrid lessons on occasion, even when they had practiced as they should.
So yes, this is just part of the normal process. The bad days will just get more infrequent. Don’t know what brings them on but they still happen to me, and all of the musicians I know and play with, on occasion. And that list includes some top level players. Eventually you’ll get to the point were on your bad days you’ll be playing so much better than your current best days that you just won’t mind so much. Hang in there, it sounds like you’re doing everything you should be. Except the worrying part! 
I’d suggest you pick up a copy of The Inner Game of Music, and another great book You Are Your Instrument. All musicians, regardless of skill level or how many years they’ve played, should read both of these books. I re-read them both every couple of years or so just to force myself to think about the concepts and techniques they contain. They’re not about exercises or scales or tunes, they’re much more useful than that.
JD
Some good points from the other posters. No doubt we all have bad days for playing, as was mentioned. Though at times it may be just that you are dealing with some higher humidity, and the whistle not behaving like it does in lower humidity.
Or there can be physical problems with the whistle, like a loose block, or dirty windway that can affect the tone and playability.
Of course, just properly sealing the holes is always a possibility, depending on how you are feeling or playing that day you are having the problems. That happens to me still, and I’ve been playing low whistles on and off for a good amount of time now.
Most of these problems are overcome in time, and with more experience on the instrument you are having the problems with-especially if you’ve only been playing it a short time. But first, look for problems that can be fixed easily, like humidity and windway grime, and any other problems that may be found with a little more scrutiny like a loose block or leakage of air at a tuning joint.
Thanks everyone. Some very encouraging posts here and I will definitely check out those books. Though I thought MTGuru’s point below was a little harsh.
Just covering the holes properly and sounding every note of the whistle are things that should be locked in very early, within the first few days of learning.
I don’t know of anyone else that has suggested piper’s grip comes that easy. Indeed I’ve heard some say it can take six months to a year and my Goldie is NOT renowned for having small holes . . . or for being a forgiving low whistle for beginners. I think some of my problems may stem from beginning to incorporate cuts, long and short rolls into music that I would be fine with otherwise. It’s new territory. I’m also aware that the strong painkillers I have to take daily may not help my sensitivity and alertness. I do know that I play best when i turn away from learning pieces and exercises and just relax with my attempts at improvising something slow and from the heart. The books do sound a worthwhile read.
Out of curiosity, do you think playing several whistles, say a Goldie Low D, a Dixon Low D (for playing at my desk) and a Mellow Dog High D will impede fast learning, given the finger movements for each will be different, or improve it. I note Cayden plays several whistles, but he had already learned to play the high whistle first.
On a postive note I value what MTGuru says about getting familiar with the whistle when you first pick it up. I’ll take those suggestions to heart. BTW I note that with my piper’s grip, the first fingers of each cover the holes with the second joint rather than the second pad but I’ve seen that suggested in books etc as a possibility and it hasn’t caused me problems before.
Mikethebook,
Just my opinion, but I view all time spent on whistle as conducive to the playing of whistles in general. I would think the far majority of C & F members in this forum play multiple whistles without it creating any problems. Though playing on a high whislte may not improve your reach for low whistle, it certainly does improve your general musicality, your ability for your brain to process, to think of a tume, fire the synapses that make your muscles move to activate covering and uncovering tone holes, and breathing with the required sequencing to create the tune intended.
I think the more time spent on whisltes, the stronger one becomes at that which I have mentioned, the entire process seemingly becoming more natural than forced. I also think that the mind and body adjust rathee rapidly between the subtle differences in instrumentation. Take a look at how many members play multiple instruments liike , whislte ,pipes, anf flute without it being a major problem.
As mentioned, just my opinion, but I think the benefits of playing a variety of whisltes far outweighs any thinkable downside. I just think you need to keep at it. Just a short time ago, I made a jump from playing high whistle exclusively, to my first attempt at low whistle. My first attempts were not pretty, with the squeeks, squaks, lacking of adequate breath control, and the dreaded “reach” issues. I thought to myself initially, “what have I gotten myself into”? I did keep the big picture in mind, that being my love for the sound and music produced on low whistle. That coupled with (no pun intended) sound advice and encouragement from a number of C & F members to not give up, but to continue the process viewing it as part of a journey, and. to enjoy the trip to improvement along the way, has been very influential in my approach to playing and improving on low whistle. And I do experience some of the fluctuation between good and bad days that you have alluded to.
As an added benefit of taking up low whistle, I have found that I coincidentally also increased the amount of time I spent playing high whistle by several fold, and I think it to be most beneficial to my playing both high and low whistles in general. As well, I constantly listennto Irish Trad Music ( that being where my main musical interest is), finding that such immersion into the tune while being most enjoyable, also helps to educate the mind and ear to the variations in timing, ornamentation, and other nuances associated with this beautiful musical form (ITM).
As said, this is just my own opinion based on my personal experience, and others may vary. My best advice is don’t give up, continue your journey, and enjoy the trip along the way. You will see continued improvement if you keep at it. Oh, and the piper’s grip does improve as one goes along and with frequent application. Take care, and keep at it lad!
Best wishes in yer whistling,
Cayden
Thanks Cayden. Helpful and encouraging thoughts.
Mike,
My pleasuremto help support another aspiring low whistle player. Keep at her!
Cayden
Mike
I agree with the suggestions made so far but there is one element that I stumbled upon early on which might be of value to you.
I have big hands but I also have just a touch of arthritis and tend toward dry skin. Before I play I always wash my hands in warm water and take a few seconds to massage a small amount of moisturizer like Shea butter or Burt’s hand salve all over my hands paying a lot of attention to my finger joints and pads. This loosens up my joints and has the added benefit of increasing the seal between fingers and whistle.
I don’t leave any sticky residue that would smear off onto the whistle mind you. It’s the softening effect you’re after. It makes a difference when playing low whistle particularly if you’re using Super-Ez or Pipers Grip.
Keep playing.
Ecohawk
Thanks Ecohawk. Colin Goldie says something similar on his web-site about moisturizing to improve seal on the holes. I do use a thick cream called Neutrogena which is for chapped hands and sometimes wash my hands in warm water before playing but I realise I haven’t been regular enough in it. Good to be reminded. Thanks.
The time it takes to get consistant sealing of the holes on a low D varies. It is a very un-natural spread of the fingers. I don’t see how one can master that in a few days. Months is more the norm. I was able to make rapid progress because I am a piper and use “the grip” on the pipes. For someone coming to it without previous experience with a similar grip, it can be quite daunting. In time it will become part of “muscle memory” and will seem almost automatic. With time and practice it will fall into the background and things like learning tunes, breath control and articulation will require more of your attention.
I have quite large hands, but I remember the first few months were kinda tough. I got the sealing of the holes down pretty fast, but my main problem was that I couldnt play more than 3-4minutes without my hands hurting and cramping a lot. When my hands were too strained I just took a break for a few minutes and continued again. Did this a few times every day, and after a few months I could play tune after tune without tiring.
I think the biggest problem when you’re new to low whistle is that you’re focusing so hard on sealing the holes properly that you forget to relax your hands. But to be able to relax in what feels like an unatural position for your hands, one needs to give the muscles time to adapt. Play a bit everyday, if it hurts or you can seem to seal the holes properly, take a break and go again. Worked for me.
Thanks for the replies. I actually had gotten to the stage where I didn’t have problems with piper’s grip. I wasn’t holding the whistle tight and didn’t have to think about where my fingers were too much. It seems as though learning the ornaments properly and now incorporating them (long & short rolls and cuts) into the music I play, or trying to, has sort of unsettled my piper’s grip. Maybe it will settle down again when the ornaments bcome more natural and relaxed. Then I can worry about breath control etc. I’m hoping so anyway. It doesn’t help that the holes of the Goldie are large so even a slight error in where I place my fingers makes a difference.
I think you’ll be fine, things will settle down. Patience is one of the most difficult things with a new instrument, sometimes it feels like one step forwards and two backwards. You just have to keep an eye on the bigger picture, realise how quick a couple of years pass and that if you keep up enough practise then you will become a good low whistle player.
The holes on a Goldie are not that big compared with other whistles BTW, though it may feel that way. You’ll get used to it. Don’t consider changing it for anything else.
Cheers Bogman. That’s what I need to hear.