Having trouble holding this Low D … especially on C sharp and find that the weight seems to increase the longer I play.
Wonder if a Sax neck holder or something like that would work on a whistle to take some of the weight? Might not look cool but rather hold the whistle than drop it.
Jim
Thumb rests help quite a bit, but I like your idea… no reason why it shouldn’t work, and probably even better!
Darwin came up with this neck strap:
[u]http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?p=276683[/u]
I was on the Low D whistle tour earlier this year, and found similar problems - I couldn’t get a Sax strap, but found an accoustic guitar strap of similar design (thin strap around your neck with an “S” hook at the adjustable end)… it helped a lot!
what did you attach it to?
It adjusted enough to put the hook at the bottom of the whistle, at the back, and held it at the right level for me.
Borrowed a Sax neck strap from a friend .. it works. Still playing around with the best location .. using cable ties to secure to whistle.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jwwtex/album?.dir=/853b
Neck strap and thumb rests give me better control of the whistle than I had before. I am also able to cover all of the holes better or hit a C sharp without worrying about dropping it. Am able to play longer and with less finger fatigue.
It seems to work for me.
Jim
This really makes sense, especially on the heavier
whistles.
I ruined a low whistle once, and learnt my lesson: thumb rests and neck slings are safer! Also, since they releave the fear of dropping the whistle, I believe they may improve one’s playing.
I don’t like the clip-on thumbrests made for swhistles/recorders by Aulos (and marketed by Susato in the US, it seems). There are short, plastic and “two-legged” i.e. protruding in a uncomfortable way under the thumb. Often, they become obtrusive for the right hand index hole.
Better see a woodwind repairman, get a clarinet thumbrest. They’re meant to be screwed in the wood, and the repairman can do it easily except with thin-walled (brass, copper) whistles. They may also be tied to the whistle.
Here’s an adequate and easily mastered knot–whipping, in English–also nice to attach a loop for a soprano sax sling and hook :
A carefully tied whipping, with a tastefully selected thread, may become quite ornamental, btw. Of course, they’re other knots even more ornamental, but those who know them didn’t wait for this… landlubbers’ 
thread, did they?
For a very tight fit, make it with a wet natural fiber thead, and it will shrink when dry. Then, varnish it for a permanent fit. Same may be used to fix a crack in a cane/bamboo instrument, too.
For an alternate hardware, go to an angling shop, and check out all these little rings they have to guide the line along a fishing rod; many are still made to be whipped to the rod.
Choose a small “single-legged rod ring” ; its loop will make a nice thumb rest and/or ring to attach a sax sling.
For a better comfort, slip over the loop this clarinet thumb “cushion”, made by BG and available from many woodwinds shops.
BG thumbrest cushion
Going to visit my “Gander Mountain” … store asap. I like this idea and will pick up the “thumb rest” next time I go into the city.
Wasn’t really excited about using “cable ties” … seem a little less than ideal for a nice whistle like this.
Appreciate the tips
Jim
Okay, sounds like we need to give some gym memberships away during the next raffle… 
Loren
Give me the kind that can get refunds … need the cash 
Jim
Oh reeeeallllly?..(annie, looking over the tops of her glasses at Loren)… care to arm wrestle, dearie (annie flexes her bassist’s arms menacingly)…
Of course, with my Howard Low D, I don’t have that weight problem. 
How ya gonna wrestle with your Bassist’s arms, won’t he mind???
Tell you what, I’ll challenge you to fingertip pull-ups instead (since it’s really just the fingertips holding the whistle). Gotta hang on with just the first pad of each finger though…
Loren
hmmmm… so… you callin me a ‘he’?? LOL! I’ll gitcha fer that!
Bsides, my fingertips are pretty tough and strong from pulling strings as well as loding some hefty whistles… who’s gonna referee?
Oooops, you went the wrong way with that one. Ever taken a look at the pads on an upright bassist’s fingers?
Considering the contest, I suggest King Kong…or at least Curious George
Loren
Not to fear Joe, should be fair enough: I used to run a Rock Climbing Gym, heh heh… 
Besides, I’ve got a couple of Goldie Low C whistles to train with 
Loren
Pads? LOL… more like blocks! Cement blocks…