I love the sound of my Kerry Low D, but I run out of breath too quickly. Yes yes, I’m working on my breath control, but I’m interested to see if there are any whistles that require less breath that might be more suitable. I’m quite happy with my Howard Low D, especially the amount of air it needs, but it’s a temperamental whistle (likes to surprise me by jumping up and down octaves or squawking when I do rolls up to the d) and needs a while to warm up and calm down.
So, can anyone recommend a Low D that might be better suited to me? Otherwise, any helpful suggestions about taming the Howard (or not turning blue playing the Kerry or Susato) would be much appreciated!
Maybe it would help if I stopped trying to play along with Mike McGoldrick?
I have a Hoover Whitecap and it has pretty high backpressure compared to my other whistles. Mine is for a soprano D, but I wonder if a whitecap for a low D might behave similarly.
I’m still pretty new and don’t know anything about backpressure optimization ( ), especially regarding low whistles. But, it might be worth it to ask Mack if he can make what you want.
(places two copper Lincolns on the table)
Both breath and squawking control will improve with patience and practice. Until you gain control of your breath, you are likely to find problems with any low D. It was almost a year before I could consistently get through tunes on mine (a Howard) without those embarrassing ‘ostrich calls’. Practice your scales, over and over again, going as far up as you can, and get to the point where you can always hit the note cleanly, then practice the tunes you know until you reach that same point … then you likely won’t feel the need to find another low whistle.
edited to put back in one word I left out, that, actually, doesn’t really make much difference at all, but it bugged me.
annie’s spot on in my opnion. I never have met an “easy” low D…they all require some work and competency to play well. The only solution to that is practice.
Thanks all. I’m practising daily and am steadily improving (well, no one laughed at my recordings… as far as I know! ) so I’m confident I’ll rein in the squawks and blips.
I guess what I’m really after is a survey of Low D whistles with high backpressure / low breath requirements. I know people have said that sort of thing in the forum about the MK – a comparison chart of all the major whistles would be fantastic!
I agree with those who say learn to play what you have. That said, the Overton low D is exactly what you describe above, and about 1/3 the price of the MK, and a far more proven instrument.
I play a Chieftain OS lowD and find it comfortable. You might want to try a Bleazey lowD if you find one, they are said to have low air requirements due to small holes. I have a hiD from Phil and it’s great.
Those Bleazey’s are amazing if you can afford one.
(I have no idea what qualifies me to say that since I’ve never actaully played one. But they sure look and sound nice and I tend to judge books by their covers )
It’s not that much cheaper than an MK. The tunable Low Ds by MK, Chieftain, Overton, Burke, and Reviol are all pretty much around the same price range ($300-$400 AUD).
What about the new aluminium Dixon? I love my Dixon trad.
Click on Kerry D and see Phil Hardy play. He also almost makes it seem effortless. When I first got my low D (a Copeland), I practiced scales using pipe grip for three hours straight in front of the TV. It worked like a charm.
Allthough I mostly agree with the above, there are other low whistles out there requiring a lot less air than the Kerry.
I have played Overtons, Susatos and a Cillian O’Brien that allmost played by themselves. I just found that the easiest blowers was somehow harder to control. Sometimes it is actually easier to play a whistle that you can really lean into.
One not mentioned so far:
I have a Syn low D in brass, which was made before the current aluminum models (for sale at Gaelic Crossings for $140). I don’t know how they would compare.
I did have a chance to play a Kerry Low D on tour recently, and it took a ton of air to play by comparison.
My Syn has a nice clear, reedy sound, plenty of volume, and some chiff, so it sounds like the description of at Gaelic Crossings.
I bet it would fit what you’re looking for.
And I’m sure the Hoover would be a good bet too.
I’m still in love with my B-Overton Low D. It sounds like I never heard before, full, complex and haunting, exactly the sound I was looking for in a low whistle.
Morten has a couple of good points. I usually play a Chieftain OS low D, which does require a lot of air - in fact the second register can leave me a bit light-headed if I stay up there too long. I played cornet and bugle in my halcyon younger days, so I don’t mind an instrument with a substantial air requirement.
Mack Hoover specializes in quiet, low-air requirement whistles. I have a Hoover low E that he built for me, louder than his usual build, with a bit more air. It is a beautiful sounding whistle, and completely different than the Chieftain to play. His CPVC whistles are very nice. I have also played one of his aluminum low D’s. Beautiful sound, quiet, and low air requirements.
Keep in mind, the flip side of low air requirements is that breath control is more tricky, especially if you are a windbag like me.
And the low whistle just takes a while to learn. It is different from a soprano whistle. I struggled with the Chieftain for a while before I became comfortable with piper’s grip (now second nature to me), and the very different breath control needed.
Be patient with yourself and with the process, and don’t forget to have fun!
The two Low Ds I keep (most satisfying, not easiest playing): A Bernard Overton, and a Reyburn. They both take time and discipline to dial in to how to best play them.
), especially regarding low whistles. But, it might be worth it to ask Mack if he can make what you want.
