Spacing for right hand Burke v. Overton

Whistle
1

Hi. Well, I recently bought a Burke low D whistle. I’ve played it a lot in the last three weeks and I like the sound when all is going well. My right hand has to stretch quite a bit though. I’m doing it, but I’m wondering if there’s not an easier way.

Are the holes for the right hand a little closer together on the Overton low D than they are on the Burke low D?

If I am to return the Burke low D, I have to mail it back within the next day or two.

Thanks very much for any help anyone can give.:stuck_out_tongue:

2

Hi, welcome. I think they’re about the same, IIRC. You are using piper’s grip, right?

Of course, in terms of response, the Burke and Goldie (Overton) are very different whistles. That’s a more important difference than the spacing, IMO.

3

:stuck_out_tongue: Yes, I’m using the piper’s grip as best I can so far, and I’ve rotated the bottom piece by varying amounts. It may be a matter of just hanging in there and trying to get more used to it. Hard to imagine that I could ever get fast at this though.

4

If you’re still finding it tricky, this step by step procedure may help.

  1. Rotate the foot of your Burke so that the holes are all straight in-line, not offset.

  2. Pick up the whistle with your top hand only, and finger a normal G xxxooo with a steady grip.

  3. Now deal with the bottom hand. Keep your fingers straight, not curved or curled. And keep your thumb completely off and away from the whistle until the last step.

  4. Place the pad of your ring finger (3rd finger) gently on the bottom hole.

  5. Place the 1st joint knuckles of the other two fingers gently on/in the remaining holes. You should be able to do this without stretching or straining.

  6. Using your 3rd finger as the pivot point, rotate your hand forward, pushing the other two fingers forward so that the fleshy middle joints come to rest over the holes.

  7. Now bring the thumb up behind the whistle, and grip gently. If your fingers want to curve slightly, that’s OK.

Voilà, piper’s grip. Concentrate on the 3rd finger as your anchor/reference point, and keep a constant angle with your hand as you move your fingers.

Of course, you can use the equivalent procedure with the top hand if you need full piper’s grip. And this older discussion may also be of interest:

https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/pipers-grip-step-by-step/63881/1

Good luck!

5

I struggled until I took this on board. It made all the difference to me. My ability to play jigs and reels at speed improved rapidly.

6

Thanks a lot. I’ll try these things tonight. :stuck_out_tongue: