Hi I’m new to the forum & would be grateful 2 hear advice about the low whistles most suited to folks with small hands. Thanks
Frequent query! Just a few previous threads to look into…
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/low-d-whistle-and-small-hands/75394/1
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/low-d-for-small-hands/80644/1
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/a-good-low-d-for-smaller-hands/18701/1
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/low-d-for-small-hands-question-yes-another/61564/1
Welcome.
Without looking at those prior threads, here’s a couple that came to mind.
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WD Sweet Onyx - has a conical body so would presumably allow for more ergonomic fingerholes than a cylindrical body.
http://wdsweetflutes.com/onyx.php -
Burke EZ - has holes repositioned close to each other compared to his Viper low D. The trade-off here is weaker low notes.
http://www.burkewhistles.com/product.php?productid=16174&cat=258&page=2
How small are your hands?
There is a little Japanese man playing a low G whistle on youtube. That makes it hard for me to imagine anyone having difficulty with a low D, if using the proper grip. (EDIT- By “low G” , I mean a BASS G whistle, below a low D. Not the low G that is higher..)
Something worth noting, although I use the brass, is that the regular aluminum burke viper has a rotating bottom hole, to make for easy reach with your last finger on the right hand. I think the regular burke viper would be a good choice, especially if only that last hole is the problem. That’s the hole with the longest reach, and it rotates, so you can adjust it to exactly where your finger goes.
Also, Thomaston- Doesn’t it only have 1 hole repositioned on the EZ model? It seems like a waste to get the EZ model if it sacrifices the low end notes. The low end is what makes the burke viper the burke viper!
Really, I’m not convinced any adult would have hands too small, except in some ultra-extreme cases of small handage. It’s hard for anyone the first time they pick up a lot D and get used to the grip. But, with proper pipers grip, I think almost anyone can do it, even those with small hands. If you get a low D made for an easier grip, not only is it likely not needed, but that will limit you from playing other low D’s in the future. Or at least require you to spend a lot of time getting used to playing a normal low D. It’s not worth sacrificing matters of tone for an easier grip. It’s worth the time spent to get used to it, in my opinion.
Hmmmm. That’s Chiffboard member (and my friend) Hatao. Who I don’t think is particularly small. If you’re basing your description on an assumed stereotype, you may want to re-examine your assumptions. 
I do agree with your comments about piper’s grip. And that whistle would typically be referred to as low low G.
No, I wasn’t basing my assumptions off a stereotype, I was basing it from the size appeared in the video. Then again, I think a low low G whistle would probably make most people look rather small, now that I think about it! I could only draw a comparison of size from the other objects in the videos. I stand corrected, and no offense was intended.
Regardless, my point is that many people with small hands can play a low D , but likely most everyone with average (or in my case bigger than average) hands will struggle with it at first, or for some time even! I think the low D’s constructed for easier grip should only be a last resort, if your hands really are very very far below the average size. I almost went for one at first too. I was even considering it for my first few months playing a low D. Now I am very glad I did not do it. I think the same might be true for many others, too.
You could try getting the measurements of the hole-positioning on a low D you are considering, and mark them on a post of similar or equal width, and see if the spread is physically impossible for you, or not. This would spare the risk of buying a low D that you are unable to play, or buying one that is easier on the hole spread, when you can actually handle a wider spread. Also this would keep you from mistaking improperly covering the holes, from having an inadequate reach. Just an idea.
I have tried a good many and the easiest to play I have found is the Walt Sweet Onyx. Included with the whistle is a Susato thumb rest which takes the whole C# hold right out of the equation.
You can truly play this whistle the same way as a high whistle, with no pipers grip required.
Since this comes up often enough, I should probably ask him about his hand size.
Welcome to the whistle forum. Have fun! Keep it fun!
Not sure, could be. I’ve got a Viper, but I’ve never been able to compare it side-by-side with the EZ model. I thought that Burke had moved both of the bottom holes up and made them smaller, but I could very well be wrong. Usually am, according to my wife.
Anyway, I actually find the top 3 holes harder to manage than the bottom 3.
It might be helpful to read what Michael Burke says about the difference between his Viper and the EZ model low D whistles. He joined in during a discussion on this topic a while back. Keep in mind he keeps updating things but I think what he says about the hole sizes is still valid.
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/reach-on-a-low-d/51618/1
By the way I have three Burke Low D whistles. One is a recent Viper, another is an early Pro model and the third one is an EZ model. A lot of players would not notice the difference in the low end notes between the Viper and the EZ. It’s there but many players will not discriminate enough to notice it. If you need that little extra advantage to be able to play then I would not worry too much about the low E note.
For what it is worth, in my opinion, the rotating bottom hole on the Viper gives a bigger advantage to smaller hands than does the smaller LH3 hole on the EZ. But different hands may require different solutions.
Piper’s grip is still the skill that solves most low D fit issues.
Feadoggie
my experience with the onyx agrees with this. it is an amazing whistle. not only easy on the hands, but quite expressive as well. i’ve found it quite nice.