New to low whistle - questions

Whistle
1

Hello. New to the whistle and this forum. I like it here. The hosts have done a great job putting this together and I’ve found lots of helpful information here. Thanks to all.

I’ve been a guitarist for quite a few years and recently picked up a low D (Dixon) whistle and some various instructional materials. I know the typical advice is to start with a high D but I’ve always been attracted to mid and lower range sounds. A whistle looked more affordable and portable than the cello I’ve always wanted. And I can collect them – lots of them. Could never do that with cellos.

I’ve been playing whistle all of two weeks now and it’s probably a good thing I currently live out in the country – alone – except for my two old dogs who groan and roll their eyes when I inflict this whistling nonsense on them. Actually, when I do Sally Gardens right (kinda) they are fairly tolerant so maybe there is hope for all of us.

I’m hoping to establish good technique in this early stage and I run into questions that I don’t find answers for in my books. This forum seems like a great place for help and encouragement from experienced players. So ….

  1. How important is the bottom hand pinky anchor? Right now I seem to only use it when I have to which is mostly around C# and D note changes. Sometimes it feels more like I’m ‘catching’ the whistle and doesn’t seem very smooth and is certainly not fast. Should I work towards having the anchor down all the time or can one just get better at using it as needed? (I’m currently using first and second fingers’ second joint, third finger first joint for both hands, left hand on top. Pinky doesn’t rest easily or effectively on the tube. If I force it or move third finger to second joint to cover the bottom hole it’s harder to get consistent tone. My hands are fairly wide with longish fingers but not particularly fleshy and there doesn’t seem to be much margin for error with sloppy fingering. Sometimes my third fingers seem to “lock back” straight. It’s not uncomfortable but I don’t know if it’s right or OK. I’d just like to get off to a good start before my fingers learn bad habits.) What do most players do?

  2. My whistle sounds a pretty decent C# - ish note with the 3 bottom holes closed, 3 top holes open. This fingering lets me make smoother/faster changes around C# and D with my weak anchor. Is this cheating? Something that’s OK sometimes but shouldn’t be relied on all the time?

  3. I thought about trying my left hand for the bottom. Both hands are reasonably coordinated from playing fingerstyle guitar but the left is a bit more clever in some ways. And there is a greater stretch between the second and third fingers, and even more so between third and fourth on the left hand. I decided not to try this route because I thought it would be easier to learn out of books following convention. Any guitar (or other instrument) players with feedback on how their different instruments effect their whistle playing?

  4. I’m starting to get more consistent quality low notes now. And that’s a good thing because that’s one of the things that drew me to the instrument in the first place. I’m surprised at how little breath it takes and how sensitive it is down there. Sometimes I feel like I’d like to be able to ‘lean into it’ a little more for dynamics but if I do I squeak or octave jump. There does seem to be more dynamic range when it’s warmed up. Maybe it’s just me. Is this inherent to all low whistles or individual instruments? (BTW I’m quite pleased with this Dixon. Good advice found on this site. I’ve nothing to compare to on hand but when it came in the mail and I took it out of the tube and played a couple notes I thought “ah yes, that’s what I had in mind”.)

Geeze, this got long. Sorry. If you made it through the rambling and can offer any feedback on any of this – thanks. Much to learn.

2

  1. How important is the bottom hand pinky anchor? Right now I seem to only use it when I have to which is mostly around C# and D note changes. Sometimes it feels more like I’m ‘catching’ the whistle and doesn’t seem very smooth and is certainly not fast. Should I work towards having the anchor down all the time or can one just get better at using it as needed? (I’m currently using first and second fingers’ second joint, third finger first joint for both hands, left hand on top. Pinky doesn’t rest easily or effectively on the tube. If I force it or move third finger to second joint to cover the bottom hole it’s harder to get consistent tone. My hands are fairly wide with longish fingers but not particularly fleshy and there doesn’t seem to be much margin for error with sloppy fingering. Sometimes my third fingers seem to “lock back” straight. It’s not uncomfortable but I don’t know if it’s right or OK. I’d just like to get off to a good start before my fingers learn bad habits.) What do most players do?


    DO WHAT EVER YOU NEED TO DO TO KEEP THE WHISTLE STABLE. nO ONE IS AWARDING STYLE POINTS. I USUALLY USE MY THIRD FINGER ON THE LAST HOLE ON ALL THE NOTES ABOVE ‘G’ FOR STABILITY.

  2. My whistle sounds a pretty decent C# - ish note with the 3 bottom holes closed, 3 top holes open. This fingering lets me make smoother/faster changes around C# and D with my weak anchor. Is this cheating? Something that’s OK sometimes but shouldn’t be relied on all the time?

ABSOLUTELY FINE AS LONG AS THE SOUND IS OKAY. I OFTEN KEEP THE FOURTH AND FIFTH HOLED COVERED FOR C# WHEN HAVING TO DO FAST SWITCHING FROM C# TO E AND BACK. OFTEN BETTER ON FAST TUNES THAN SLOW, WHEN SMALL DIFFERENCES ARE MORE NOTICABLE.

  1. I thought about trying my left hand for the bottom. Both hands are reasonably coordinated from playing fingerstyle guitar but the left is a bit more clever in some ways. And there is a greater stretch between the second and third fingers, and even more so between third and fourth on the left hand. I decided not to try this route because I thought it would be easier to learn out of books following convention. Any guitar (or other instrument) players with feedback on how their different instruments effect their whistle playing?

MARY BERGEN PLAYS BACKWARDS AND IT HASN’T SEEMED TO HURT HER ANY.

  1. I’m starting to get more consistent quality low notes now. And that’s a good thing because that’s one of the things that drew me to the instrument in the first place. I’m surprised at how little breath it takes and how sensitive it is down there. Sometimes I feel like I’d like to be able to ‘lean into it’ a little more for dynamics but if I do I squeak or octave jump. There does seem to be more dynamic range when it’s warmed up. Maybe it’s just me. Is this inherent to all low whistles or individual instruments? (BTW I’m quite pleased with this Dixon. Good advice found on this site. I’ve nothing to compare to on hand but when it came in the mail and I took it out of the tube and played a couple notes I thought “ah yes, that’s what I had in mind”.)

I DON’T THINK THE DIXON LENDS ITSELF TO ‘LEANING’. AN OVERTON MAY BE BETTER FOR THAT.

3

Hello. New to the whistle and this forum. I like it here. The hosts have done a great job putting this together and I?ve found lots of helpful information here. Thanks to all.

I?ve been a guitarist for quite a few years and recently picked up a low D (Dixon) whistle and some various instructional materials. I know the typical advice is to start with a high D but I?ve always been attracted to mid and lower range sounds. A whistle looked more affordable and portable than the cello I?ve always wanted. And I can collect them ? lots of them. Could never do that with cellos.

I?ve been playing whistle all of two weeks now and it?s probably a good thing I currently live out in the country ? alone ? except for my two old dogs who groan and roll their eyes when I inflict this whistling nonsense on them. Actually, when I do Sally Gardens right (kinda) they are fairly tolerant so maybe there is hope for all of us.

I?m hoping to establish good technique in this early stage and I run into questions that I don?t find answers for in my books. This forum seems like a great place for help and encouragement from experienced players. So ?.

  1. How important is the bottom hand pinky anchor? Right now I seem to only use it when I have to which is mostly around C# and D note changes. Sometimes it feels more like I?m ?catching? the whistle and doesn?t seem very smooth and is certainly not fast. Should I work towards having the anchor down all the time or can one just get better at using it as needed?

As long as the whistle is in control, there is no set rule.
I try to have an anchor down when all the fingers of my
lower hand are up.

(I?m currently using first and second fingers? second joint, third finger first joint for both hands, left hand on top. Pinky doesn?t rest easily or effectively on the tube. If I force it or move third finger to second joint to cover the bottom hole it?s harder to get consistent tone. My hands are fairly wide with longish fingers but not particularly fleshy and there doesn?t seem to be much margin for error with sloppy fingering. Sometimes my third fingers seem to ?lock back? straight. It?s not uncomfortable but I don?t know if it?s right or OK. I?d just like to get off to a good start before my fingers learn bad habits.) What do most players do?

  1. My whistle sounds a pretty decent C# - ish note with the 3 bottom holes closed, 3 top holes open. This fingering lets me make smoother/faster changes around C# and D with my weak anchor. Is this cheating? Something that?s OK sometimes but shouldn?t be relied on all the time?

It’s alright, but you also might want to get control of the
whistle with all notes open. One option, by the way,
for anchoring is to use the ring finger of the lower hand,
not the pinky. It anchors by covering the D hole.
This takes some getting used to but it’s
firm and it can simplify fingering. Once again, the anchor goes
down when, ascending up the whistle, you reach the g note.

  1. I thought about trying my left hand for the bottom. Both hands are reasonably coordinated from playing fingerstyle guitar but the left is a bit more clever in some ways. And there is a greater stretch between the second and third fingers, and even more so between third and fourth on the left hand. I decided not to try this route because I thought it would be easier to learn out of books following convention. Any guitar (or other instrument) players with feedback on how their different instruments effect their whistle playing?

Better to leave the left hand on top. This stuff will work out,
anyway. The thing is that one day you may want
to play flute too, and you will be better off as is.

  1. I?m starting to get more consistent quality low notes now. And that?s a good thing because that?s one of the things that drew me to the instrument in the first place. I?m surprised at how little breath it takes and how sensitive it is down there. Sometimes I feel like I?d like to be able to ?lean into it? a little more for dynamics but if I do I squeak or octave jump. There does seem to be more dynamic range when it?s warmed up. Maybe it?s just me. Is this inherent to all low whistles or individual instruments? (BTW I?m quite pleased with this Dixon. Good advice found on this site. I?ve nothing to compare to on hand but when it came in the mail and I took it out of the tube and played a couple notes I thought ?ah yes, that?s what I had in mind?.)

Warm is better, generally. Different whistles can have
different properties, though. that is why it is necessary
to purchase them all. You should increase control over
the next…Keep at it and good luck. More questions
welcome. Best, Jim

4

My pinkies don’t come anywhere near the tube. I too use the third finger.

No problems with playing “left-handed”, except for what you noted and if (small if) you decide to move to another instrument (flute, pipes, cornemuse… ok maybe not that last one)

Most people worry about the Cnat note. Do whatever works! (I leave the bottom hole closed, but as above it’s for stability)

I think you will find (from previous posts too) that most people don’t lean with a Dixon. Mostly you have to go for something “overton”-ish I suppose. I personally have a kerry pro, but I don’t lean much anyway…

Good luck!

5

I have that problem, and you should try to do something about it early. Avoid locking your third finger by trying to keep it slightly curved. This is actually much less of an issue on the low D than it is on a high whistle, but still you are going to run into trouble once you start working on cuts, taps and rolls. (By all means start on cuts and taps now, but leave the rolls for a bit later.) The issue is that you’ll find yourself making larger third-finger movements than necessary and that slows you down. Also, try to keep your pinky down, below the third finger (top hand). That has helped me.

Otherwise, second John.

6

I played the guitar for Quite some time before I picked up the whistle. I also play goofy fingered (left handed hold), and I can tell you why I did it that way. because it felt more natural… You spend 14 years playing an instrument where your left hand is furthest from you body, and you tend to pick these things up. So I say fudge the books and how they show you “what the proper way to hold a whistle is.” usually thats how the author holds his/her whistle and doesn’t mean squat for anything else. Most tune books with whistle tab don’t show the fingers? Just the holes that are supposed to be Covered or uncovered. So playing lefty it would be, (from the bottom) D-all closed, E-left ring finger up, F#-Middle and ring finger up, G-all fingers from left hand off the whistle (or whatever is most confortable) A-Ring finger Right hand up, B-Middle finger and ring finger up, C#-all fingers from right hand off the holes, Cnat- Right RIng FInger on hole 4, right middle on hole 5 (for standard grip).
I have a grip like a bench vice so I only need to use one of my thumbs and a finger from the same hand to keep a steady hand on my low whistles… The Bass Bb requires more grip…
-Cy-

7

Thanks all. I applied some of your suggestions last night and noticed some improvement. Third finger down on the bottom hole was especially helpfull. Simple and efficient. I think I’ll stay with right hand on the bottom. (Thanks for your feedback CY) I’m comfortable with it now and as mentioned, transition to flute would probably be easier. Pipes? Love ‘em but that would really be testing my old dogs’ loyalty.