Having recently purchased an Overton Low F and come to love its distinctive sound, I’m considering obtaining a Low D, as well. I currently have a Burke Al-Pro Low D, which I like, but that growly Overton Low F sound has me hooked.
My question is a simple one: do all of the Overtons have the same growly, complex tone that my F has? If yes, I think that an Overton low D is most likely my next whistle.
(By the way, I’ve been keeping a whistle in the car lately to play at all the stoplights I have to sit at while crossing San Francisco after crossing the Golden Gate on my way to work, and yesterday someone in the car next to mine signalled me to roll down the window. I did, and the elderly gentleman asked if I knew “Drops of Brandy”, so I played a few bars until the light turned green, at which point he smiled, shouted his thanks and drove off. It was sort of fun. And it was on the Overton F.)
On 2002-06-05 16:13, herbivore12 wrote:
. . . My question is a simple one: do all of the Overtons have the same growly, complex tone that my F has? . . .
–Aaron
Yes. All the Overtons I have own (Low D & modal DC), or have played (B), or listened to (soprano D, C, F, G, tenor D), all have a growl and nearly unmatched tonal complexity from a very rich set of overtones.
They all have dead-on tuning once warmed properly. My tenor “big-holes” D has the strongest bell tone of any low D I have played (including Howard, Copeland - with sweetest sound, Kelly, Burke E-Z, Susato, Shaw, O’Riordan - the easiest to play). There is a back specific back pressure that, once achieved and maintained, makes the bell tone rattle your teeth and bones so that you feel like you are riding a boat with twin diesel engines. Is that enough growl for you?
(By the way, I’ve been keeping a whistle in the car lately to play at all the stoplights
I started doing the same thing, except I keep my whistle in my handbag. My old handbag was a tad too small, I was worried it would fall out. So I bought a bigger handbag, just so I could carry this whistle around with me! LOL
I now have Overtones in Mezzo-A Alto-F and Tenor-D. The back pressure of playing takes a little getting used to but give you alot of control of the octave jump and a very solid bell note. Fingering is the most comfortable of any Low-d (shortest spread) and the larger holes give you a fantastic range of expressiveness for use in ornamentation.
I love Colin’s whistles, but have to say that I recently got a used Copeland Low D and for the first time I really enjoy playing a Low D whistle. Easiest to play of any I’ve tried and the one and only that has that really haunting sound I’ve been searching for. Philo
Any idea how old your used Copeland Low D is? They are amazing aren’t they. Easy to play. They play quietly or fairly loud and they have a wide variation of tone characteristics.
I still find my Low F and Low D Copelands to be simply amazing. They are the whistles I reach for.
I’m having a hard time getting used to my Copeland low D. I was used to my Howard low D, and I think that since the Howard is a shorter whistle, I can get my fingers to seal the holes easier. I keep leaking air with my Copeland, and it’s because the Cope is longer, so my fingers cover the holes at an angle (because I’m reaching waaay out there to them) instead of my fingers coming across the whistle at a 90 degree angle. I keep trying, though, because the sound it makes is SO great. Hopefully it will get easier as time goes by. Also, my hands hurt on the Cope, from the strain of stretching, unlike the Howard. Oh well, I think it will come with time (I hope).
Are you using a piper grip? Your hands don’t have to be 90 degrees to the whistle. In fact, a slight angle is commonly used with the piper grip. It is much more comfortable and not hard to get used to.
The Copeland Low D is an amazing low whistle, isn’t it?
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On 2002-06-06 22:42, BrianW wrote:
Blackhawk,
Are you using a piper grip? Your hands don’t have to be 90 degrees to the whistle. In fact, a slight angle is commonly used with the piper grip. It is much more comfortable and not hard to get used to.
***Brian, yes, I’m using the piper grip, covering the holes with the area in the middle of my fingers. If I angle my fingers, they can’t reach the bottom of the hole, thus allowing air to escape. I must be missing something.
The Copeland Low D is an amazing low whistle, isn’t it?
Hi Aaron, yes they all have that wonderful tone !!! I own a Low D and a Low G and they both are georgious !! And, to be honest…I keep my Soprano D in the car (because it is smaller and fits in my bag) and play whenever I can, hopefully I will spot the cops first before they spot me…
Best regards from Dagmar
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On 2002-06-07 06:55, drdagmar wrote:
I keep my Soprano D in the car (because it is smaller and fits in my bag) and play whenever I can, hopefully I will spot the cops first before they spot me…
Hey, when whistles are outlawed, only outlaws will carry whistles!
After receiving a very nice e-mail from Colin with the suggestion, I’ve ordered a low D from Celtic Fire, which may be the only shop that currently has any Overtons left in stock (when I called, they had only the non-tunable models left, which is fine with me, as I found the tuning on the F whistle I have to be right on). I look forward to playing the Cosmic Drainpipe soon!
(Colin was very helpful, and did say that he currently has a violet anodized low D that may be ready for a home, if anyone’s interested in an anodized model. Very fine customer service from this maker.)
Get yourself on Colin’s waiting list ASAP, you won’t be sorry!