I am considering a new whistle. I would like to have either a low E or A, from either whistle I should be able to get to the other key pretty easily, right?.
I already have a Freeman tweaked clarke D (which to my untrained ear has pretty good sound), and a Dixon low D duo set (the flute head takes even more breath than the whistle-imagine that?).
The Clarke has a lovely haunting quality, especially in transitions/slides. The Dixon is so smooth and rich I love it’s sound. I am leaning toward a Dixon low A, but Susato makes a low E. I would like to know if there are any pitfalls to watch out for.
By the way, the only reason I want another whistle ( sure it is ) is for church hymns which are often written in these other keys.
From an E whistle, you’ll get A major easily but from an A, E major would be a bit harder but not too bad. (E minor and E mixolydian would be easy enough though on an A whistle but I don’t think that’s really what you want.)
Don’t get a Susato. It’s just not sweet enough and it’s a bit clunky in the low keys.
An A whistle will play in A major (with A as the lowest note) and D major (with A below D as the lowest note), as well aas the relative minors.
If you need E major, you should get an E whistle (with E as the lowest note) or a B whistle (with B below E as the lowest note), and not many makers make those keys.
Glenn Schultz (thin weasel) makes an EXCELLENT B natural whistle in PVC (Water Weasel).
I’ m sorry, you’re both right, I would need a B not an A to get me to E. Thanks for pointing that out. I have seen whistles somewhere that were made out of pvc, but looked unfinished, still had “sched 40” or something stamped on the side. Is that what we are talking about here with the water weasels. Not very nice for public perfomances.
Well actually you can play in E major on an A whistle if you can learn to half-hole the L3 hole—that would be G# on a D whistle. Try slanting your finger diagonally across this hole for a clear, in tune, note. I’d prefer an E or B whistle but an A would do in a pinch.
If you are looking for an inexpensive whistle with a sweet sound to play in A and E, Erle Bartlett (Syn Whistles) could sell you a whistle with a single head and high E, B and A bodies I think. The set wouldn’t cost you much and you’d have A and E quite nicely covered.
I’m presuming that you maybe want to play with guitar,right?
I don’t have a low ‘E’,but I do have a Jubilee soprano ‘E’ whistle,made by Daniel Bingamon,purchased off e-bay about six months ago.
Strange how the key of E sounds so ‘right’,but then years of listening to guitar based Rock and Pop music must have some effect!
