Reyburn low D questions

Whistle
1

Hi All,

A question or two for Reyburn tooters. I have a used low D with offset holes (#3 & #6) on its way and am hoping I can now use my finger tips. I just have too many problems with the pipers grip (long story).

If you’re using an offset Reyburn are you fingering the last hole with the ring finger or the pinkie?

Just looking for some insight/suggestions from others who have experience with this whistle.

Panceltic Pipers sound sample really sound great, as his playing always does.

Thanks in advance, :thumbsup:

JD

2

Hello JD,

Seems people have used either, depending on preference, though maybe the pinkie wins out in popularity if using standard grip. Here’s a search I did for more info, while you are waiting on other replies from Reyburn Low D users:

http://forums.chiffandfipple.com/search.php?st=0&sk=t&sd=d&keywords=offset&fid[]=1

Good luck with your new old Reyburn-have a blast!

Barry

3

Greenspiderweb,

Thanks for the search. I read everything I could find searching for “Reyburn” but didn’t think about searching for “offset”.

As they say at Kings Gate…Brilliant!

JD

4

Just a short update…I received my Reyburn low D (offset 3rd and 6th hole model) and it’s incredible.

I have long fingers so it is not the stretch but a lack of feeling in the second joint(s) that prevents me from using the piper’s grip. The offset Reyburn has solved the issue, or at least after a couple of hours of practice time it seems to have. I can use the pads on all fingers to cover the holes, left hand offset G falls readily under the 3rd finger. The low D (6th hole) does require the pinkie, the ring finger doesn’t reach it without considerable effort.

The really surprising part is how easily my fingers/mind was able to adapt to using my pinkie on the 6th hole. I suspect I’ll be playing at normal speeds, my normal speeds(!) not yours, in a week or two.

To summarize; on the top hand the finger tips of first three fingers fall on the holes very comfortably. On the bottom hand the (offset) Reyburn does dictate the use of the pinkie on the 6th hole but it is apparently no big deal.

Tone, volume, timbre, and intonation are everything I expected from a Reyburn whistle. That is to say, it’s one helluva tooter. :thumbsup:

So, if like me, you can’t come to grips with the piper’s grip (pun intended) the Reyburn offset is an option you should look into.

JD

5

Great to hear JD! Good that you didn’t give up and that you found a solution for you, and a very nice whistle to boot! Congrats, and enjoy!

6

Thanks Barry,

I hope that my “whistle qwhest” saves someone else some time and tribulations. :smiley:

You gotta just love this place!

JD

7

Just going to show that different things suit different people, I bought an offset hole low D Reyburn some years ago, having bought a Reyburn high D (the old session model) that remains my favourite whistle, though maybe jointly now with the much less expensive Cillian O’Briain tweaked high D.

Anyway, I wanted a Reyburn low D, and, after long discussions with Ronaldo, bought an offset holed version. For me that was a big mistake. I simply couldn’t play it. I persevered with it for 2 years, meanwhile buying another low D (Copeland) which I could play. That one had inline holes. So I finally gave up with the Reyburn and sent it back to Ronaldo for a replacement, inline holed tube. I could play it immediately, and haven’t looked back since.

8

A few things to add:

  1. Like Ben says, it’s personal. After years of happily playing low whistles with inline holes, I’m now going for offset L3 and inline R3 where a significantly offset L3 doesn’t actually feel offset (note the mark of a good offset!) to my short-changed left hand. But an offset R3 just impedes me…

  2. Since my flute and whistle offsets (different for side-blown and end-blown holds) have been established to suit me by testing and working with the makers, I personally wouldn’t just go for an off-the-shelf, one-size-fits-all offset. And, while you might argue the same about one-size-fits-all inline holes, at least they’re the devil you know!

  3. Any good maker (or at least any working by hand) should be able to do you offset holes if that’s what you want. So nothing against Reyburns (I’ve never tried one), but you don’t need a Reyburn to get offset holes.

9

Peter,

Like you said it’s a matter of “horses for courses.” The Reyburn is an “off-the-shelf” offset, at least I assume it is as I bought it used. I’ll be in Oregon this summer and I think I’ll stop in a see what Ronaldo can tell me about it. However, it fits me much better than any low D I’ve tried. I really want to try the Sweet Onyx with offset holes some day but for now I have a nice instrument to work on. My band mates love it as much as I do by the way. :smiley:

Slan’

JD

10

Never meant to suggest otherwise (so happy you’ve got what you wanted!), but was rather attempting to bridge the gap between your experience and Ben’s with some further observations that could just help to explain either and might be helpful to some.

:slight_smile:

11

Quick update…really starting to feel comfortable on the Reyburn. Took it to the local session last night. It’s not the loudest low D I’ve seen, but it fit in nicely (there were eight of us total). It might get lost in a bigger session though.

Lots of compliments from the troops on the tone. :smiley:

JD