I’m looking for a loud low D so I can hear myself in sessions…I’m told Susato might be the answer. Does anyone have an opinion to offer??
Thanks
Boyd
http://www.strathspeyinmay.com
A festival in the Scottish Highlands where adults can learn to play traditional music.
I finally gave up in frustration with my Susato Low ‘D.’ The reach is just too long and the holes too big. Although it’s the least expensive low whistle on the market, it’ still not worth the money. Hold on to your money until you can buy a better one. I’m going to have to try something else. From what I’ve read here, I’m not the only one that holds this opinion.
If anyone wants to buy a Susato Low ‘D’ cheap, just contact me.
Forget the Susato. Go for Overton low D (Overton original or Goldie) - can’t go wrong.
You can try the Kerry Low D ($64 at The Whistleshop)loud as many low whistles, tunable and easy reach. Some complain of a buzz but some extra teflon tape usually helps.
Joe
I hate my Susato Low D. It’s impossible to play and will turn you off to Low D whistles entirely. While the price seems good, there are too many reasons not to buy one.
Other Low D whistles have been recommended on this site. Tony Dixon’s Low D got a good recomendation. So did his Low G. I have smallish hands, so if I ever bought another large whistle, I might buy a Low G instead.
Something to think about.
I haven’t gotten far trying to play my Susato Low D either, and I have long fingers. I thought it was just me, but like the others here, I find the reach and the huge holes impossible to deal with. Glad to know it isn’t all me! I’ll have to try the Kerry or Hoover.
I have a Susato low D as well.
Sometimes I like it. Sometimes I don’t, mainly because it can be a litte squeaky at times and also slow to speak on the lowest notes.
I don’t have any trouble with the reach or the size of the holes, though.
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
I thought the Susato was a perfectly good low-D to start on. It is more difficult to play than more expensive whistles (I don’t find the reach more difficult, but do find that it requires extremely precise breath control), but it’s a good inexpensive way to find out if the low-D is for you, learn the piper’s grip (if you haven’t already), etc. I’m living proof that beginning on it doesn’t necessarily turn one off to low-D’s.
If you are sure you want to play the low-D, I agree that you will certainly eventually want another one, and you might’s well go for a Burke, Overton, or other high-quality low whistle right off the bat. They are a lot easier to play, and have a lot more volume in the lower octave.
Charlie
Cormac Breathnach told me he played Cillian O’Briain low whistles, and recommended them…I bought a low D and got rid of my Chieftan about 3 years ago. He later told me that he had moved over to using Susato whistles when he needed volume.
He’s a great player…and fairly big…so the Susato maybe works fine in a master’s hands…I’m curious to know how the mortals like you and me could get on with the Susato low D.
[The Susato high D is great in sessions. The O’Briain low D sometimes just isn’t loud enough…but tone and pitch are just perfect
Maybe the secret here is to play a loud flute, or buy a pick-up and amp for my O’Briain !!!
Boyd
I bought one of these in a fit of what I recently discovered was WhOA. I’m perfectly happy with it for anything slow, mellow, soulful, etc. Anything faster than a slow air, however, I sound like a cat stuck inside a set of Highland Great Pipes (Really, I love pipes, but how do you think they’d sound with a cat stuck in the bag? Cats, however, I can do without). The holes are no problem for me, but I HIGHLY suggest that anyone using this whistle plays it much like pipes- keep the pinky for balance on anything above an F, all 3 of right hand for anything above A (until you get up to the octave, anyway.) Took me a while to get used to fingering.
Thought I would give my two cent worth,
I have had a Susato Low D for four months now and I have to agree with “Alhren’”, the whistle is not a problem for me covering the holes,with the “pipers grip” once you get used to it. When I play fast it sounds like I stepped on the cats tail, and he’s out of the bag! I am still getting used to it. It is heartening to know that there is easier low whistles to buy… Must save my pennies! jon
Susato low D is a lot of whistle for not a lot of money, and because of this often wound up in the hands of beginners(me) who prefered to blame their instrument,not themselves.I,m no longer a beginner and glad I stayed with my Susato because it has taught me much.I think it is a good whistle. My calendar has a quote from Henry Miller I,ll share with you.“In this age,which believes that there is a short cut to everything,the great lesson to be learned is, that the most difficult way is, in the long run,the easiest” Peace,Mike
Thanks for that, Mike.
[Looking at Peter Laban’s latest thread, I feel a bit nervous about getting louder !!]
Ach well, sure, nothing ventured and all that…sounds like the Susato will compete OK with the accordians, fiddles and concert uilleann pipes that abound…if I can hear MYSELF that’ll be a step in the right direction !!
…and the price is good.
Boyd.
http://www.strathspeyinmay.com
Learn to play whistle, flute, uilleann pipes and lots of other instruments at our traditional music festival in Scotland.
[ This Message was edited by: boyd on 2002-04-11 07:01 ]
[ This Message was edited by: boyd on 2002-04-11 07:02 ]
[ This Message was edited by: boyd on 2002-04-11 07:03 ]