Hi,
I have been playing a high D for a little while (both Generation and Clarke Original) and I am eager to get a low D. I was wondering if anyone could suggest a relatively inexpensive whistle to start with. The only preferance I can think of is that I prefer the sound of the clarke over the generation so something with a simular (woody? airy?) tone to that would be nice.
Thanks,
David
Maybe Dixon? or Shaw? The Shaw is like a big Clarke.
g
I have a Shaw low G, which I find very painful for my right hand. On the other hand, I have a Jubilee practice Low D that is very easy to finger.
As a result, I’m thinking of starting off with a Jubilee small-hands model. I’m also thinking about getting it in copper, as that’s one of the materials not yet covered in my collection.
I don’t know what the regular Jubilee low Ds sound like, though–or how they play. I like the sound of the practice low D, which is pretty smooth, but wouldn’t mind a bit more “character”.
I do know that it doesn’t matter what a whistle sounds like if it hurts my hands, because it won’t get played. (Anybody want to trade something interesting for a Jerry-tweaked Shaw log G?)
Dixon, or Hoover.
Spillane…?
Kerry
Considering the alternatives, sure, definitely, but we’re talking about whistles! 
My first low whistle was a Shaw Low D. I loved the sound and it was easy to finger( I use pipers grip, just more comfortable due to Carpal Tunnel). However it took months to get to know it due to the air requirements and the tweaking experiments I performed trying to improve the ease of play in the second octave.I had to play it for quite a while to warm it and "play it in " before it became a very nice and responsive whistle( though still quite loud in the 2nd octave).You can get alot of overtones and it’s chiff in the first octave can be controlled with practice but for me it was always breathy in the 2nd octave.
I think it’s a very good whistle but if I had to do it all over again I would have gotten an easier player for a first Low.I’m awaiting the arrival of my 2nd and 3rd lows’, an old style Cheitain D and a Jerry tweaked Shaw low G.I hope the experience with the 1st Shaw will make these 2 easier to play.I have heard great things about Jerry tweaks.I’ve heard the old style Cheiftains are harder to play than the new but it has to be easier than that 1st shaw.Too make a long story a little longer , I’d get something other than a Shaw for a first Low D. There are whistles that are in the same price range that are probably easier to play without all the frustration of the large air requirements.
Chapter 2: A surprise for Curious George
Today George noticed the man in the yellow hat was dressed differently. “This is a bathing suit”, said the man.“Today we are meeting our friend Judy at the beach.”…
hmmm, tough one…my first lowD was a non-tunable plastc Dixon, i still think it’s a great whistle, never clogs, hole sizes not too big, cross-fingering for cnat no prob (but i guess that’ll work on nearly all the lowDs), light-weight, no back-pressure. Just not very loud (althought that may be a good thing..) and the upper notes in the upper octave may be a tad sharp/screechy.
anyway, that’s my 2Rappen (= 1.59885 cents, as of today, at 14:44:16 GMT, so that is bound to change very soon).
If it’s a nice reedy/woody sound you’re after, try a howard.