Hi everyone I just found out about the world of tin whistles a couple days ago. Anyway I’ll get to the point I really love the sound of the low whistle, and preferably a breathy one but I don’t know which one I should buy…
I’ve narrowed it down to mainly the Chieftain and the Shaw low d whistles. I was wondering which is the better value for the money and where can I find them the cheapest. So far the cheapest I’ve seen the Shaw is at http://www.elderly.com.
Also which sounds better, and, which has a better mouthpiece.
Hi and welcome to the board.
Here’s my advice. It sounds like you just started to get into whistling. The low whistles are much harder to learn than the soprano whistles. So my advice is to get yourself a soprano whistle and learn how to play that first before switching to the low whistle. And if you want to jump right into the low whistle I would search the archives and check thewhistleshop.com they have alot of great whistles there. And between the shaw and the chieftain I would take the chieftains. Anyways good luck and check out the the whistleshop they probably have everything your looking for, and they’re great do deal with and very quick at getting their products to you.
On 2002-08-12 01:59, tazcid wrote:
Oh yeah, sorry I forgot to mention I intend to buy a high whistle first.
I want to get a Clarke whistle but I can’t choose between the Meg and Sweetone can anyone help.
I suppose you may as well get the Meg, since it’s cheaper and essentially the same as the Sweetone (some say even better). I got a Sweetone because I wanted a natural finish rather than painted (personal esthetic preference). I can’t imagine an easier whistle to play.
On 2002-08-12 01:59, tazcid wrote:
Oh yeah, sorry I forgot to mention I intend to buy a high whistle first.
I want to get a Clarke whistle but I can’t choose between the Meg and Sweetone can anyone help.
I suppose you may as well get the Meg, since it’s cheaper and essentially the same as the Sweetone (some say even better). I got a Sweetone because I wanted a natural finish rather than painted (personal esthetic preference). I can’t imagine an easier whistle to play.
Yeah, my first whistle was a Sweetone, and it’s still one of my faves. The only real difference I know of between the Meg and the Sweetone is that the Meg is made in China.
Being a beginner who probably experienced the same as you, I have to add a few…
When I got my whistles, I bought a Meg and a Dixon Low D (non-tunable). I would recommend, if you can, get both the Sweetone and the Meg. I don’t know how different, but some other posts do tell the Meg is slightly inconsistent. Its your choice…
As for low whistle choice, it pretty much depends on your finger stretch (so you don’t get frustrated / unable to play properly - and then unfortunately leave the world of…gulp…whistles.).
If you’re not on a budget, you might consider an Overton (Bernard/Colin does do some custom modifying for customers, if I’m right.
You mentioned the Shaw Low D. Shaws take a lot of breath, even in the high whistles, but the Shaw would be cheaper than the Chieftain.
Many beginners on the Low D have been happy with a Dixon. I only have a Dixon Low D, and I’m very happy with it. The breath requirements are not large, the tone is slightly breathy, and beign all polymer, it is light and does not suffer from major clogging problems if played cold. Finger spacing is medium, though piper’s grip is still recommended. It is also one of the cheapest low Ds on the market. There was one up for sale second hand here a week ago, it may still be available.
I may require something a little louder if I ever get to playing in a session on a low D, but for home practise, fingering etc, The Dixon has had very favourable comments.
Dixons can be got through various suppliers of direct from Tony Dixon at:
You could probably start and end with the Dixon low and high Ds (tunable with both). If you get caught by WhOA, go for the Overton low D (Bernard or Goldie versions).
Personally I’ve never liked the Chieftain and Shaw low Ds.
I guess I’ll be going with a low d Dixon and a couple Megs in C and D. But I do have one more question… Should I get a tunable low D or just stick with the normal one?
I have a few different views on things, and if people don’t agree, well, too bad.
I think that the low whistle is worth a try for everyone, even if you’re just a begginer. It helps you when you want to learn the piper’s grip later: you’re used to it.
Megs and Sweetones are probably beter to learn on, but whatever.
Well, those are my thoughts on the matter.
\
-Ross
[ This Message was edited by: rossmpfc13 on 2002-08-13 18:39 ]
Also, if you are interested in the breathy sound, don’t rule out the regular Clarkes. I have a Meg and a Sweetone, which are both easy to play but don’t have that warm, wooden, flute-y sound of my good old Clarke C.
Well, my first low D was a Chieftain. I have never REALLY wanted another low D. I found my “right” whistle the first time. I have been tempted to get a Dixon and a Shaw, but I have not done so because it isn’t worth the money to me when I have a whistle I am truly happy with.
I have a Shaw high D and Bb. Both take piper’s lungs. Wow. Lovely sound. Until you run out of air after 3 or 4 notes. Worth it if that is really what you want in the sound. But I hardly play them. I doubt I’d do much with a Shaw low D.
For high D whistles, I keep a Meg in the car. I also play a classic Clarke at home. My fave was a non-tuneable Dixon, but I gave it to a friend who is moving out of state. I do plan to get another one.
As far as tuneable vs. non, I prefer non. I own some tuneable whistles, but I don’t like having to check my tuning whenever the head has moved a little on the shaft. I like to just pick up and play. I reckon I’d want a tunable whistle if I played with others, but I don’t.
Based on the high D, the Dixon would probably be a bargain. But I just felt I had to speak up for the Chieftain here, as I have some positive experience with it.
