I had this whistle on order once before, but I chickend out. Actually I decided a tenor E would work better with the Voc/guitar music I write. I’m glad I made the change because the E fits in nicely with many of my songs.
Well, it turns out that I’m going to be starting a duo with another guitar player. We’ll play many of my songs, I’ll sing and play guitar, and he’ll accompany me. He’s also a great jazz guitar player with complete knowledge of chords and theory so we are also toying around with Jazz numbers, him on guitar and myself on whistle.
Thus the Bflat!! We have played togather with me on my (I say this with great pride mind you) big hole tenor D. It sounds fantastic. But so many Jazz numbers are in Bflat. He can transpose no problem, but…
So I just placed an order with Colin. As usual I get all giddy inside when I place an order and the anticipation of not knowing what to expect kills me. Sort of like a kid during christmas. What timing!
All the whistles Colin has made me are amazing, so I’m leaving it up to him to make it as he sees fit. My ? is how much more of a reach is the Bflat from the big hole D. I have no problem what so ever with the BHD, I find it very very comfortable to play. Taking this into account, am I in for a big surprise or should I say finger exercise?
Loren I know this is right up your alley. I’m expecting a full report from you Measurments on the Bflat would be great if you have the time. I’d ask Colin, but I know how much you like to discuss the finer points of the Overton. Plus I wouldn’t want to distract him from making a certain Bflat whistle. Or any other for that matter.
Some time ago Jens bought a Chieftain Low Bb, and took it to our session.
My first response was: What a monster of a thing - I mean it is visibly larger, thicker and more ‘drainpipy’ than any Low D I have seen.
I have an older model Low D, made by Bernard Overton. This has bigger holes and a slightly greater stretch than some other Low D’s.
Actually I was surprised I could play the Bb - it was not much of a problem.
It actually reminded me of when I first started to play the Low D: It was awkward and far from smooth to play it, but the more time I spent with it the more comfortable it became.
I suppose it would be the same with the Bb even though I don’t have huge hands.
…wouldn’t know about playing fast dance tunes on it though…
I don’t have a Bass Bb, only a couple of Colin’s Low C whistles, so I can’t answer your question exactly. Also, I may not be the best person to ask because I have small hands and fairly narrow fingers, so even the Big Hole Low D was a challange for me. It’s not the stretch that get’s me so much as sealing the larger holes.
Having said that, I can get by fairly well on the BHLD now, but the C whistles are still very tough for me. To be honest though, I don’t practice on them every day either. What I can tell you is that the holes appear (mostly) smaller on the C (when compared with the BHLD) but the stretch for the RH is longer.
In the end, my guess is that if you have average, or large size hands, you’ll be able to play the bass Bb fine, considering how comfortable you find the BHLD.
Thanks Loren, sounds like good news to me. I have good hands for low whistle, my middle fingers are 4 inches long from the webbing, ring and index 3 1/2. the tips of my fingers are a hair under 7/8 when laid flat. Now if I could just get the riffs into them!!
Joe, I have a beautiful Alto F that will no doubt go into use as well as the BH tenor D and tenor E (all Overton) I’m sure I’ll be using my high whistles as well.
Thanks for the replies,
Jack “gotta go to work” Orion
Thanks for the info on finger length. I’ve always wondered whether my hands are large or small. My middle finger measures just under 3 1/4 inches long and the forefinger is about 3 inches long. I have zero problem playing the C I recently got from Phil Hardy and the B isn’t really a problem - just takes a little getting used to.
I played an Overton Bb original and was surprised at how I could reach the holes okay and didn’t need much extra air either (over the low D). But have you considered the low Bb as opposed to the bass Bb? Smaller, but a delight to play…
Measurments on the Bflat would be great if you have the time. I’d ask Colin, but I know how much you like to discuss the finer points of the Overton. Plus I wouldn’t want to distract him from making a certain Bflat whistle. Or any other for that matter.