Problem with my Freeman Low A, please advise

Whistle
1

I became serious about playing the whistle about a year ago. I’ve been practicing on the Blackbird C and the Mellow Dog D. I recently bought a Freeman Low A which is causing a problem. All the notes sound really nice except for one - the second octave D - 0xx xxx. No matter how I play it, it sounds really harsh, sand paper harsh, even gravelly. It just doesn’t go with the other really nice notes. Is is me? (probably), or is it just the way its designed? Any advice really appreciated.

2

Why not let another whistle-player try it and see how it works for him/her?
Then you’ll know whether it’s you or the whistle.
If all the other notes play well (including the other second octave notes?), I suspect it might be the whistle.

BTW, I assume you’re actually referring to the second octave A (as it’s an A whistle), which, fingered on a D whistle, would be a D.

3

Yes, I was referring to the second octave A (A whistle), as fingered as a D on a D whistle.
That’s a good idea you had, about letting another whistle player try it out. I just have to find a whistle player; I only know a couple of recorder players well enough to ask…gasp!
Thanks for your advice.

4

And if the problem turns out to be with the whistle, check back with Jerry. He stands behind his product and, if past experience holds, he’ll make things right.

Best wishes.

Steve

5

Thanks, I’ll do just that, contact Jerry if needed. Hoping it’s just my terrible playing.

6

Make sure you cover all holes properly and don’t blow too hard (word is the A and G are perhaps slightly overstretched and fussy about too much pressure. I haven’t tried one myself so can’t verify that.). Other than that, invoke the warranty.

7

That note usually isn’t a problem. You don’t have to vent the top tonehole on my whistles, btw,for the second octave “D”. They work fine if you do vent, though. Are you in the US? The simplest thing will be for me to take a look at it. Can you send me the whistlehead?

Best wishes,
Jerry

8

Yes, thank you Jerry. I will mail you the head via US mail from Virginia, where I live. I’ll attach a note inside. In the meantime, I am really enjoying the Blackbird and the Mellow Dog and will play them as soon as I get home later. The Low A is a wonderful instrument, too. I’m just having trouble with that one note.
Regards