I recently acquired a Silkstone D+ from another listmember, and I’m quite fond of it. I do have trouble covering the seventh hole, though. (It’s an offset pinky hole that allows one to play a C below the lower-octave D, and can also be used for a first- or second-octave Cnat.) My problem is that it doesn’t seem to be offset enough for my pinky. Either my pinky is awfully short, I got one that’s not quite right, or others have this problem. I rotate the barrel a little to the right, so that the whistle is almost at the first joint of my right-hand pads, which helps with the pinky reach, but then every so often I’m not covering the holes properly. Does anyone with one of these whistles have a suggestion how you solved this problem, or better yet, can you post or email me a pic of your grip?
Second question, any suggestions what tunes to play on it (preferably airs rather than reels or jigs, as I have enough trouble with this one on slowish tunes)? I got it specifically to play Morgan Magan, which has two low-C’s when played in G. I’m interested in other tunes that go exactly down to C.
Charlie-I’ve had one for about a year and hadn’t thought about how hole#7 is covered until now. I can’t trill the extra C well, but haven’t had much trouble besides that.
-Try this: If you’re covering holes with right-hand fingertips, choke up closer to your outermost set of knuckle folds. If this doesn’t give you enough latitude to cover the hole, try a piper’s grip with your right hand i.e. covering holes with the middle section of each finger. this should bring the pinky end section into hole covering range, and with some rotational flexibility for covering the hole well. Additionally, the angle of the whole right hand can be canted up or down a bit to help achieve the best hole coverage. Piper’s grip with the right hand pointed a little down rather than utterly perpendicular to the tube will likely place your pinky end right over the hole. I haven’t photographed it, but hope this will help. This advice assumes holes are in line with your fipple window.
This works with my hands on the cusp of Medium & Large glove sizing.
-As to tunes to play with your extra C, try “Maria” from West Side Story, although you’ll have to deal with some accidentals further on in the tune. This gets you through the intro anyway. The low C also, I think, allows one to play the theme from the “Simpson’s”, using C as the first note. Avanutria did it in her guest appearance at the Seattle Beginner’s Session a while back, ad lib too! Sorry I can’t suggest some pure drop stuff for you. Pop culture has ruined me!
-Good Luck!
-Whoops-So much for my reading your post closely. I missed the part about already placing the hole at the first joint. Oh, well…still, the piper’s grip might help, and might help in other ways too. It can really speed up fingering.
-Cranberry’s suggestion will also work, and give a much stronger action on the C. It will, however take a little reprogramming of standard fingering.
-Cranberry, I’m in love with your winking avatar. She’s two-dimensional, yes, but it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve fallen for someone lacking depth. Ooh la la!
I’ve tried putting the left pinky on hole 4 of my whistles and only using 2 right fingers, and it’s harder to play than right hand on top, IMHO. It confuses me so…
Well, the verdict is in – the piper’s grip works like a charm. Actually, for some reason, today I’m having less difficulty than I have been even with a standard grip. But, as with a low-D, I think I’d cramp up fast with my RH at an awkward angle.
Anyway, standard grip on the left, piper’s on the right works just right. My fingers are too wide to use piper’s on both hands.
Yes, I use it both for the middle C natural and for doing rolls on the high D. In fact, I use it much more for that than for getting the low C natural.
Jon Michaels
Ooh la la!