My husband has made me a low d whistle in copper - could not, no way, no how reach bottom d - he then made me a copper e - I can play it only if I use my pinkies. A little weird but do-able. So, bless him, he is now trying an alum low e for me and off setting the 3rd and 6th holes so I could play it using pipers grip and leave pinkies out of it. As he hasn’t yet drilled the holes, I thought I’d seek some helpful opinions first. Any ideas??
Perhaps your hands are just too small…which would be a tragedy. If your hubby is a gifted machinist perhaps he could offset all holes but the bottom D and make it so that the hole could be moved. This is a feature that is on my Burke Low F and probably on his other low whistles.
Also, there’s probably some information that would allow the hole spacing and size to be reduced…but it would probably compromise tone quality and volume.
Also, search for a few examples of offset patterns. Many flute makers use offset patterns..Casey Burns comes to mind. Ronaldo Reyburn makes low whistles with offsets(if requested). Most offset patterns I’ve seen move more than the 3rd and 6th hole. Daniel Bingamon at Jubilee also offers many options in offsets you could look at for ideas.
Thank you for your suggestions. Couldn’t find anything on more offset holes than 1st and 3rd but had a look at the other sites mentioned. Happy to say I can reach the new low D with offset 3rd and 6th by using my pinkies and very comfortably - yea!
boatgirl: Check your PM