Could you please recommend low and high whistles that you think are the easiest to play high second octave and low third octave notes with?
I am looking for a low and a high whistle that would allow me to play certain classical pieces with as little struggle in the upper register as possible.
Even though proper breathing, shape of the lips and cross-fingering can help with reaching third octave notes, it would still be nice to find an instrument that makes this task easier.
The Dixon Trad I have plays quite easily and smoothly in the 3rd 8ve. I think X-fingerings are always inevitable up there though.
Just out of curiousity… if you’re keen on classical music, why don’t you simply play the recorder?
It is the simplicity of the appearance of an instrument that makes me want to play a whistle rather than a recorder. I guess I should try playing these pieces of music on a recorder at some point as an alternative.
It is the simplicity of the appearance of an instrument that makes me want to play a whistle rather than a recorder
… I can sympathise with this point of view, I simply don’t like “the look” of a “traditional school”-type recorder, with it’s bulges and fancy turnings. However, a Moeck “Tuju” or a Hohner “Modern Line” present a much more attractive profile IMHO. The Hohner instruments http://blockfloeten-museum.de/pics_instr/instr_hohner-6-09.jpg seem fairly thin on the ground (I’d love to find an alto in baroque fingering), but the Moeck instruments are fairly common, also Moeck appear to have revived the Tuju outline in a plastic instrument as the Flauto 1 http://www.earlymusicshop.com/product.aspx/en-GB/1002678-moeck-1021-flauto-1-soprano-light-finish if you just want “something a little different”.
I’m someone who likes to be able to play high so I sympathise with your desire. On the high whistle front, the Sindt plays beautifully in the second octave but they are hard to come by and expensive now that there is a long waiting list. A much cheaper alternative would be the Cillian O’Briain improved whistle which also plays nicely high up. Bear in mind that ease of playing in the second octave naturally makes the bottom notes of the first octave more sensitive but that is something to get used to. Actually I have two O’Briains for sale right now at https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/fs-freeman-obriain-dixon-whistles/87226/1
Regarding low D whistles, Cillian O’Briain used to make a whistle that would play wonderfully in the second octave. In fact I own a non-tuneable O’Briain low D that plays easily up to third octave E and with a bit of effort I can reach third octave G. I also have a low D which I think is an early Ian Lambe though there are no markings. Again this plays fairly easily up to third octave D. I’m planning on selling both whistles shortly. When O’Briain stopped making whistles, his then apprentice Maurice Reviol took over and the current Reviol low D again is a nice whistle capable of ease of playing in the upper second octave.
If you require any further help please come back to me.
I’ve yet to see (or make) a whistle that goes easily into the third octave higher than an E, and that’s pretty shrill. There’s fine balance between voicing for a nice solid low end and an easy second octave. Next time I voice some whistles, I’ll experiment with voicing for very high notes. I’ve made a couple of tabor pipes voiced for the higher notes since the low notes aren’t really used with those, but you only get an octave out of a tabor pipe anyway, by playing overtones. Recorder is the way to go. You may want to look at Renaissance recorders for a plainer look.
Don’t play one myself, but saw a gentleman playing one last weekend in a session. This Mollenhaur Dream Recorder is loud and sweet, and IMO rather attractive:
I have a Carbony G which sails up to the 3rd 8ve root note effortlessly. I haven’t tried going higher and I don’t plan on it.
CAUTION - I tried doing this with a Generation High F (just for one evening on a few tunes) and it worsened my tinnitus considerably. I’ve had to take a break from playing whistle for several months.
Like Brewer Paul said, I have never held a high d whistle that is comfortable to play above the third E, and he should know since he makes some of the best instruments around. Sindt will go up to third G and A and I imagine that Colin Goldie would make a high D just for that.
But if I were going to play that high on the whistle I’d probably look for something like and alto A or below. My Copeland alto A will play pretty easily up to third G, but they are pretty scarce whistles. My Goldie A will get up there too but takes some push. I have a Goldie narrow bore alto G that gets to third A pretty comfortably and that’s easily available if you have the budget.
In low whistles, I’d second the recommendation for the Reviol as these have the best high range I know of. The newer Lambe will get up there too. Either of these will play three octaves if you get the fingerings worked out, and will not break your eardrums in the process. Again Colin Goldie will make a custom whistle for you and make sure it fits your needs. He is a great guy to work with. I just tried the third octave it on a Burke Viper Low D just now. It went up to third B without too much trouble and was still in tune but pretty loud.
I play Meditation From Thais occasionally, which is pretty challenging on a whistle, but it’s the only tune I play where much of the third octave is necessary. I use the Reviol low Eb or low D depending on my mood.
For a high whistle, the Dixon Trad is a good choice. Very capable and predictable into the third octave.
If you have good breathe control, there is a whistle made by Tyrone Head, that is the best I’ve ever played in the upper registers. However, it is very much on the quiet side and requires so little breathe to play, you are pretty much holding your breathe playing it. But if I’m playing something that needs a sustained high note, that’s the whistle I pick up.
