I am a relatively new whistler (14 months). I got an Overton high D a few months ago and found it the best I had to that date. Based on my success with it, I bought a C and a B flat. I am having some trouble with these.
I cannot get more that two or three low D or E notes before they clog. No trouble playing high D. I have tried everything suggested. I did not have this trouble with my D whistle. My teacher watched me play and she says I am covering the holes OK.
Anything I can try?
[ This Message was edited by: Lizzie on 2002-10-16 10:17 ]
On 2002-10-16 11:02, Bloomfield wrote:
Make sure the whistle is warm before you start playing (very important). Blow hard. Email Colin (if that’s who you got the whistle from.)
Bloomy’s nailed it, Lizzie. All the Overton freaks around here—St Bernards and Goldies—had a go at this one about a week ago and all agreed that to boldy blow into a warm whistle is the way to play an Overton. All that agreement. It was almost sickening.
If you’re sure that its not you but the whistle, I suggest you drop the maker (be it Colin or Bernard) an email. I’ve had a Overton high D which had a similiar problem as well. The low notes were weak and soft and the whistle would clog for the smallest of reasons. So I sent it to Collin and he made me a replacement free of charge. I’m happy with my replacement high D whistle as it is now. Its got a very strong tone, good response and strong low notes. No clogging problems and its like a session cutter without the shrillness of a Susato. The customer service was very good and prompt too.
On 2002-10-16 21:39, Eldarion wrote:
If you’re sure that its not you but the whistle, I suggest you drop the maker (be it Colin or Bernard) an email. I’ve had a Overton high D which had a similiar problem as well. The low notes were weak and soft and the whistle would clog for the smallest of reasons. So I sent it to Collin and he made me a replacement free of charge. I’m happy with my replacement high D whistle as it is now. Its got a very strong tone, good response and strong low notes. No clogging problems and its like a session cutter without the shrillness of a Susato. The customer service was very good and prompt too.
Unless I’m badly mistaken, Colin not only does this sort of thing, he recommends that you approach the maker if you have a problem. That goes for any maker of high-end whistles, and Colin means that too. Even though whistle-making is no way to get rich, you pay serious money for a high-end whistle and deserve to get something that plays.
[ This Message was edited by: Wombat on 2002-10-16 22:48 ]
On 2002-10-16 11:15, Lizzie wrote:
On this topic..how warm does it need to be? And should you keep warming it as it returns to room temperature?
I am for body temperature. So I can often be seen fondling, hugging, kissing my Overton when I am not playing. I you perform on stage or something, you might consider keeping the whistles in a bucket of warm water while you’re not using them.
On 2002-10-16 11:15, Lizzie wrote:
On this topic..how warm does it need to be? And should you keep warming it as it returns to room temperature?
I am for body temperature. So I can often be seen fondling, hugging, kissing my Overton when I am not playing.
No need to overdo it Bloomy. Just keep the next two you plan to play nestling snugly in your armpits. Helps to minimise exaggerated finger movements too, so how can that be bad?
I have warm hands, the second* reason this is great is that I can use them to warm and keep my Big-O close to temperature it needs. My thumb fits nicely into the curve on the bottom of the mouth piece as the middle segments of my index and middle finger warm the flat that runs up to the blade.
* The first reason is that my dearly beloved has cold hands and is alway eager for me to hold them when we go out
You guys are too funny and also very helpful. I was thinking I was going to have to up my thermostat, but now I have discovered armpits.
I know my problem has been
‘me’, not the whistles. I think I expected, in my niavete, that they would play as easily as my D. I seem to be improving.
And already thinking about what Overton I should get next.
I had a lovely long letter from Brigitte with some advice…what service!
I had the same trouble when I purchased my A and F whistle. I had a D and never experienced clogging. I orderd an A and F. The F was fine but the A clogged quite a bit. I have 5 Overtons now and the A has the most back pressure.
Well, that was a little over a year ago. I have to agree that it’s the way you blow into them. I have no problems at all with my A now. You cant be afraid to play em and play em hard. Once you figure this out, you can back off and play soft as well without clogging. They can be very dynamic whistles, as you will find out.
On 2002-10-17 23:52, skywatcher wrote:
Seriously, folks, the warming in the armpit idea really works: but make sure that you have put on deodorant that day before you do it!
Old spice or Sure kisses from the whistlers will have the lads and lassies …
