Are there any low d’s that can really honk in a session? I suppose the simple answer would be a flute. But how about the lows?
My Copeland low-D is nearly as loud as a flute and will nearly hold its own in a session.
I’ll second the Copeland vote, you can really ‘lean into it’ to help it cut through. Comparison is against Overton, Kerry, Dixon and Chieftain.
I can hold my own in a session with my Sweetheart Resonance Low D.
Thanks for the info . Copeland and the Sweetheart are really on the high end. How about in the $ 150-250 range?
I like the phrase “will nearly hold its own at a session”.
Several people have recommended MK whistles (made in Glasgow) as being significantly louder than Copeland or any other whistles, and as being great all-around low whistles to boot. I will try to pick one up in Glasgow in August. I currently am playing a Burke Viper low D which plays very nicely but I haven’t tried it at session yet.
I played yesterday in a concert with my MK along with 7 fiddles and 2 alto violins.
People said they could still hear the sound of my whistle.
I could not have done that that with my Dixon!
My MK does well in sesiuns. It responds very nicely to rapid ornamentation. The volume is not up to a well-blown flute, but is audible enough. I find it easier to play than my Copeland, in fact I find it to be the low whistle of (my) choice for ITM. You may have trouble “picking one up in Glasgow”, as they are usually back-ordered from the maker. He has a wait list, due to high demand.
Very true, seems that the MK whistles are not to hand anywhere and every one Misha makes is promised. Plus, purchasing in the UK means that I would have to pay VAT. So, I need to get on his wait list, and preferably pay as a non-VAT overseas buyer.
It’s hard to be heard playing a low D. If you play in a smaller session, there usually isn’t a problem. The sessions I frequent have 3-5 people, including at least 2 fiddles, and my Chieftain is heard fine.
-Casey
Susato sopranos are loud. Anyone play a low D?
I know that this is a tad obvious but it just depends on the session and how much louder than anyone else do you really want to be.
It seems to me being heard is more a matter of personal playing ability and style, a LOT more than the brand of low whistle. Also depends on how many other instruments are in the same tonal range (flutes, for example) I’ve heard Anita play her Lunasa low D in a room full of people and it seemed to hold it’s own for volume.
[Then WHOA kicks in]
Oh wait a min… forget all that rubbish.
I got to hear of couple of Burkes that seemed to really cut through everybody else both in terms of tone and volume.
As any slide guitar or dobro player can tell ya, it’s more than just volume.
I’ve brought my Dublin L-series low D to a session before thinking exactly that, but have found that it’s not much louder than my Howard (with the new improved mouthpiece) once it has warmed up.
My Reviol is quite loud though!
Try Overton, loud, good backpressure, beautiful haunting sound, a low D is E257,- www.overton.de
Well the Burke low D got a workout at a cool Glasgow session and it could be heard fine with three fiddles, guitar, and another low D whistle. The Burke’s bottom D really honks. By the way, the other low D whistle was an Overton (by Overton) and the Burke was louder.