Hello all! I just received my Susato Kildare D yesterday. I am pleased on how easy it is to play in the 2nd octave. However, something happened that gives me some concern. When going from a high D (XXXXXX) to a A (XXOOOO), something weird happens. For about a half second the note of the D stops, goes into a “blank” note, and then snaps down to the A. It is really weird.
Let me explain it a different way…I am holding the fingering down for a high D, continuing to blow air, I move my fingers to make an A…the note of D stops and makes a airy noise and then snaps down to an A after a half second delay after I make the A with my fingers. It is almost like an air gets stuck briefly before playing the A. Now, I didn’t have a chance to try any other notes to see if it happens then as well…it was late and the kids were in bed.
Has anyone else experienced this? I did a search and found the O-ring fix for Susato’s. Would that fix this problem or should I contact the maker of the whistle about this?
I was really excited about this (my 2nd whistle) but this little problem took all the wind out of my sails.
Susatos are not easy to play well…definitely not a beginners or newbie’s whistle.
You simply need to really punch the A. With time, and practice, it’ll come out nice and clear, but it’s much too loud to play after the family has gone to sleep at night without waking them.
These tips from James and MT Guru really helped me:
The whistle should be held angled down.
Use you mouth and throat - open them up length-wise to attain the upper octave notes without so much volume (it’s still loud, but you don’t have to punch as hard for the high A and B).
Try the o-ring or rubber band trick. I’ve since abandoned it as I’ve grown to know the whistle better.
So, as so often is the case, it’s you not the whistle! But rest assured, I had the same issue myself, too. It’s a whistle to thrash, play aggressively, but with time it can be played sweetly.
OK…I feel better now that I know it is me and not the whistle. I was not blowing too hard to try to keep it down. So that, among me still being a beginner was probably the issue.
As far as playing the high D as (0XXXXX)…I know I am going to have a hard time playing it like that since I got used to all fingers down, but hey…I gotta practice.
Now I can’t wait to get home and play my new whistle…after I vote that is!
Again, thank you for the replies…it made me feel better.
Well I got home and after a few times I was able to play it…ok. The hard thing is to consistently find the “sweet spot”. Once I think I have the position of my mouth and lips correct…I try to play again and the 2nd octave notes fall down to the first or the note gets pinched off. Sometimes it sounds like a whistle…sometimes like a recorder. I have read some of the other posts on how to make sure to have your mouth more open on the inside…which I have tried and does work…but I can’t seem to get it to work consistently. Very frustrating…I guess I should have researched this whistle a bit more when looking to buy it. That does not mean I am going to get rid of it…but I should have maybe gone with a Freeman tweaked whistle or something like that. Of course that does not mean I still can’t get a Freeman Boy, if I do…my wife is going to kill me. She still doesn’t understand why I bought a 2nd whistle to begin with.
Anyhow, I think I should go back to my Walton right now and just try to get better at the basics. I just wish I had enough $$ to get lessons every week. Right now I am getting one lesson every other week. If anyone has any suggestions for me (which I have been given some great advice already in my other posts) please let me know.
Yep…I just printed out the O-Ring Tweak as well as the post on “Taming the Dreaded Susato Beast”. Hopefully, between those 2 posts, I will have an easier time.
Boy, if I do…my wife is going to kill me. She still doesn’t understand why I bought a 2nd whistle to begin with.